Captain Dyneley was an officer in the RHA. The following is an extract of a letter sent by him from Italy to Captain Douglas, RA. It is taken from LETTERS WRITTEN BY LIEUT. GENERAL THOMAS DYNELEY WHILE ON ACTIVE SERVICE BETWEEN THE YEARS 1806 AND 1815, in MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION, vol. XXIII (1896) - Roger Compton (Since reprinted by Ken Trotman, 1984 - Ed.)

MASSINA, August 14th 1806

I sailed from Malasco about June 26th, arrived at St. Euphemia on the 31st, and disembarked at 1 a.m. next morning. Soon after daylight a few French gentlemen made their appearance; a regiment was sent to their assistance, about 180 were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, "the rest they ran away," but soon afterwards gave themselves up as prisoners.

Nothing extraordinary happened until July 3rd, when a sergeant who was straggling from camp was shot through the head by a Frenchmen who had concealed himself in a bush. At 10 o'clock that night I received orders to march with two guns under my command, and after marching all night, at daybreak found myself on the plain of Maida; owing to the dreadful state of the roads only four officers were able to get their guns into the field, one of whom I had the honour to be. We advanced about three miles and came upon some skirmishers placed to lead us on; and a slight "poppery" took place.

We then discovered General Regnier in a most beautiful and commanding position in a wood of full blown myrtle bushes as white as snow with between 7000 and 8000 men, including 500 cavalry, of which we had none. It was an anxious moment as we had only about 5000 men in the field. Had the enemy kept their position, I think, between ourselves, the wisest thing would have been to have made the best of our way on board ship again, for it would have been to have made the best of our way on board ship again, for it would have been impossible to have moved them; but they were too confident of success. Their General told them the English were advancing loaded with riches and that they would go down, plunder and drive them into the sea. And sure enough down they did come, in line, in the finest order it is possible to conceive.

We halted, formed in line to oppose them, and then advanced. It would be out of my power to describe with what steadiness we came on. I was at this time on the right and about 10 yards in front of the light infantry. The French advanced firmly towards us, keeping up a tremendous fire of musketry which either fell short or went over our heads. When we were about 100 yards apart, Colonel Kempt, who commanded the light infantry, [a battalion comprising the light companies of the 20th, 27th, 35th, 58th, 61st, 81st and Watvilles's, plus 160 battalion men from the 35th under Major Robinson] men from with incredible coolness gave the order "Halt!" "Throw down your blankets, shoes," etc.; then the order "Forward!" and in a few seconds after "Charge!". Our men reserved their fire until within a few yards of the enemy and then fired in their faces. The French turned tail and those who could run fast enough escaped the baynonet, the whole of the rest were either killed, wounded or taken prisoners; in short, Bonaparte's favourite 1st Regiment of infantry was cut to pieces.

The field presented the most distressing spectacle, being covered with killed and wounded. From the rapid way our light infantry went off I was unable to follow them, having to mount my guns on horses' backs; however, seeing another body of our troops coming up, I joined them. But after firing a few rounds of grape, I was served in the same manner by their making a charge and leaving me.

I then again mounted my guns and went to the left, where I found a steady fire being kept up on the enemy's cavalry, who threatened to charge that flank, but they scarcely ever came within gun shot. I could see the General trying to get them on, but all to no purpose; they then retired in the greatest order under a very heavy fire amidst the cheers and hisses of the whole of our troops; in short, they were fairly hissed off the field and old John Bull was left "Cock of the Walk". There was a very fine field of wheat which our men by mistake set on fire at the commencement and which continued burning the whole of the action.

You may suppose the confusion we were in from the intense heat of the sun and this fire. We then marched a few hundred yards further and took up the enemy's ground where we rested about two hours and, after taking what little refreshment we had with us, returned to the beach about five miles distant from the field, where we remained that night.

Our loss on that day was only one officer and fifty killed, ten or twelve officers and two hundred and sixty men wounded; the loss on the French side is estimated at nearly three thousand.

Our General had meanwhile received information that the enemy were collecting their force at Catauzaro, our troops therefore, excepting about five hundred men, marched the next morning to oppose them. We reached the town of Maida where we found a hundred wounded, whom we dressed and sent aboard a ship.

That evening soon after our arrival, the General received fresh information to the effect that the said force had fled in all directions; we then turned and marched directly across the country for Scylla where there was a castle held by 200 Frenchmen who refused to surrender. All our field-pieces were embarked at Montelerone, excepting two 6-pounders and one howitzer which were conducted to Scylla by Captain Pym and myself, and terrible work we had ; however we arrived there safe on the 13th . Batteries were soon made and we opened fire, which was constantly kept up until the 23rd, when we had also three 24-pounders in position. In my battery there were both a 12 pounder and a howitzer, the noise from which shook my head, for the whole day was employed in firing as much as the guns would bear, etc., and we showed the scaling ladders within 100 yards of the place to let the enemy see what we meant to do if they did not surrender. A flag of truce was sent in that evening to ask their terms. They demanded to march out with the Honours of War and join their nearest post. We allowed them to march out the Honours of War, but took their arms from them, and sent them in one of our transports to Toulon.

I was very well when the flag of truce went in, but before it returned I was seized with a violent chill and a fever. I instantly went to bed, which consisted of church banners and a blanket. I remained in this condition with my clothes on (which by the by had not been off once during the whole trip), all that night and the next day, I then got a comfortable bed in the town.... on the 4th I went to Mr. Burgmann's where I have been most comfortably settled ever since, and have gained strength till I am quite stout.

During my illness I received positive orders to return to England immediately. The Colonel, who commanded us, called to see me yesterday, and said if I wished to remain I might, provided he returned me "sick" to head-quarters, and that I wrote an official letter to General Macleod. To this I readily agreed, and have written stating that I am convalescent. I must not forget to give you the most essential part of our trip to Calabria. Up to the day we left we had lessened the French army by 4,500 men, and our loss (including the late sickness) only amounts to 450.

More Maida:

Maj-Gen. Stuart's Account of the Battle