History of the Fife Pitcairns

SIR JAMES PITCAIRN OF THAT ILK. 229
parts, it was 3rd and 4th, 5th and 3rd — still, however, preserving
a firm and regular Front, and in a solid, impenetrable mass without
intervals. This circumstance, which in any other instance would
have proved highly prejudicial to Cavalry, was of the most essential
benefit. The attacks were all made in one of the evergreen Oak
Woods you have often seen in this Country, & where the regular ad-
vance of a Squadron must be impeded.
This had little effect however upon the Brigade, which, con-
tinuing to advance on the Gallop, next encountered a Brigade of
the Enemy's Infantry formed in Column serre, and drawn up under
cover of some Oaks to receive us. When within 20 yards they
poured in a most tremendous fire. Here fell our gallant General,
having set a noble example of Intrepidity to his Brigade. Here
also Capt. White, our A. Q. M. G., received a mortal wound &
also Col. Elley a slight one, and here were brought to the ground
one 3rd of the Brigade by the fall of horse or rider, the loss of
either, as you know, rendering the other unserviceable. The re-
mainder, however, of the Brigade reached the Enemy's Column in
an instant, which being most vigorously charged, faced about. We
had now nothing to do but to take Prisoners ad libitum, and I do
hope as few were put to the sword as circumstances rendered safe,
and of course justifiable. Lord Edwd. Somerset, however, having
spied 5 Guns on the left, separated as soon as possible with the
right Squadron in which your Nephew, J. Luard, commanded a
Division, and charging, took the whole of them. In the meantime
I got together about 30 Files, and following the wake of the
Enemy's Column kept crying, " Bas vos armes, vite en arriere ou
tous seront tailler en pieces ! " I was even cheerfully obeyed, and
mgre than once thanked by the French Officers for the manner in
which the Prisoners were treated. After this, we could not collect
above 3 Squadrons to advance out of the Brigade, & it was no
longer prudent to do so, the 5th Division and others having com-
menced the attack upon the main Post to our left Flank; and
many of the Cannon shot, both of Friends and Enemys, passing
over our heads. I flatter myself that the old Heavies had their
share, indeed I believe Lord Wellington and all the Army will
admit, that altho' the Infantry had the tougher job in their sub-
sequent attack upon Marmont's central Height, that the Army was
indebted that day to Le Merchant's Brigade for nearly the whole
of the Prisoners. Some of our success may fairly be attributed to
the panic occasioned to the Enemy in finding his left so suddenly
turned, and the extraordinary combination of the Infantry, Cavalry,
and Artillery at that point. We commenced the attack about 5,
in about 40 minutes afterwards our Brigade had defeated all the
Infantry opposed to them, & taken 5 Guns at the distance of near