From all this I think we can start to see that for these particular regiments the war must often have seemed like a series of particularly 'Black Moments', especially the following:
The Retreat To Coruna, 1809
Three of the Midland regiments were involved in the disastrous retreat to Coruna - 1 / 6 Warks. was especially ill disciplined (But it was recruited from LIVERPOOL!). Capt Willshire of 1 / 38 Staffs came back only in a tiger skin! (he would later be a most intrepid officer of the light company, taking the lead at Salamanca and the Bidassoa crossing). The Brigade had got lost, and lost 400 stragglers, due only to a wrong order by a drunk courier!.
The Walcheren Fiasco, 1809
Two of the 'Corunna' battalions (ie 1 / 6th Warks and 1 / 38th Staffs) were then sent to the even more ghastly Walcheren expedition (= The Napoleonic equivalent of 'The First Day Of The Somme'!). The Walcheren battalions would be known forever afterwards as centres of yellow fever - with which they infected every other unit they came into contact with. (although 1 / 38 Staffs did actually fight quite a distinguished war and prided itself that it never needed to use corporal punishment.)
The Battle of Talavera, 1809
The next black day was the battle of Talavera, one of the most costly Wellington ever fought (although it did get him his Viscountcy as 'Wellington of Talavera'). 2 / 24 Warks; 1 / 45 Notts; 1 / 48 Northants; 2 / 48 Northants were all very heavily (& successfully) engaged there and lost, respectively, 343 out of 787; 180 out of 756; 168 out of 807; 68 out of 567. (The Medellin defence soon after dawn is a classic counter-attack portrayed as 'fire' by Oman! Most effective, perhaps, was the intervention of 1 / 48 to plug hole left by the Guards at the crisis of the battle)
The Battle of Busaco, 1810
Less 'black' was the battle of Busaco, where Midlands regiments again distinguished themselves, but at far less cost. 2 / 24 Warks & 1 / 48 and 2 / 48 Northants were not engaged and lost only 1 man between them; 2 / 38 Staffs helped save the day by a 'typical' dashing counter-attack which cleared Foy's division from the ridge for a loss of only 23 casualties; 1 / 45 was especially heavily engaged at two points, losing 150 casualties out of 595, again in one of the decisive counter-attacks, this time against Merle's Division (Wellington exclaimed 'There, Beresford, look at them now! - then spared some of their men condemned to death for highway robbery).
The Battle of Albuera, 1811
This was noted as the most bloody firefight of the whole British experience between 1793 and 1815. Particularly badly mashed was 2 / 48 Northants which was destroyed by French cavalry in a cloudburst (which prevented the use of musketry), almost the instant it arrived on the field. It lost 343 out of 452 engaged, and had to return home as a result. Scarcely less badly treated was 1 / 48 Northants, which was in Hoghton's brigade, involved in about an hour's exchange of musketry at close range - it lost 280 out of 497 (ie because it could not push on with its counter-attack).
(At Fuentes de Onoro at about the same time, the 2 / 24, 1 / 45, and 2 / 38 were all engaged only relatively lightly, especially the last, although they all completely fulfilled their defensive roles - the first two making effective counter-attacks into the village itself.)
The next 'Black Days' were the bloody stormings at the two sieges early in 1812 - Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, 1812. In the first of these, Ciudad Rodrigo, 1 / 45 took the lead in the main breach, following 180 sappers, losing 48 casualties including the brigade commander Mackinnon and the heroic Captain Hardiman. As a result of this action d'éclat the divisional commander, Picton, paid 100 guineas to the regiment's grenadier company, to drink to the health of the division in future!
In the second of the two sieges, Badajoz, 2 / 38 lost 42 casualties making a counter-counter attack against a French counter-attack at one of the secondary breaches. 1 / 45 lost 171 casualties in a premature assault (with ladders that were too short) provoked by the regiment being unexpectedly illuminated by a French fireball. These casualties included the division commander Picton, the brigade commander Kempt; Lieutenant MacPherson, who seized the French flag - which he later presented to Wellington - and corporal Kelly, who was the first into the castle. 1 / 48 lost 173 casualties in the Lunette San Roche and the worst breaches.
The Battle of Salamanca, 1812
There were more Midlands regiments engaged here than in any previous battle, but they lost fewer men. 2 / 24 was unengaged; 1 / 38 was involved in the centre of the battle, making a volley at 100 yards then a charge (suffereing 141 casualties out of 800). 2 / 38 was close at hand, but lost only 51 out of 301. 1 / 45 lost 55 in the front rank of the decisive flank attack, notably holding off a cavalry counter-attack. 1 / 48 Northants was even defeated in its own attack towards the left centre (although I have not yet been able to ascertain casualties). 2 / 58 Rutland made its debut in the Peninsula. 2 / 59 Notts may also have been present, but I regret I have been unable to establish that fact definitively.
After Salamanca the army advanced to Madrid - but was then forced into an ignominious retreat, including The Failed Siege of Burgos, which represented a 'black day' that was every bit as 'black' as Albuera, Walcheren or Coruna. 2 / 58 and 2 / 24 were so badly broken that they were amalgamated together as the '3rd Provisional battalion'. From these, the 2 / 24 Warks had sent the heroic captain Hedderwick to lead the 4th assault to success after a mine explosion - but 237 casualties were lost. In the Burgos retreat some especially heavy casualties were also suffered by 1 / 38 and 2 / 38 (which were then effectively amalgamated as '1 / 38', while the 2nd battalion was sent home).
After Burgos the French resistance crumbled significantly, largely due to Napoleon's disastrous Russian campaign. The remaining battles were less onerous, although some heavy fighting occurred at Vittoria, 1813 (with 1 / 6 ; 1 / 38; 1 / 45; 1 / 48, '3rd Provisional Battalion'; 2 / 59), also the San Sebastian siege (which discredited 5th Division, including 1 / 38 & 2 / 59 ) and Orthez (with 1 / 6; 2 / 24; 1 / 45; 1 / 48; 2 / 58).
1 / 48 distinguished itself at the battle of Sorauren, soon after Vittoria; and the 1 / 48 at the decisive flank attack at Toulose - the last battle of the war. But 1 / 45, ironically, ended its {otherwise most brilliant} war record by being unnecessarily squandered in a 'diversionary' attack at Toulouse by the great Picton, with 85 casualties including the death of both the regimental and the divisional commanders).
Three Groupings
Out of all these 'Midland Peninsular Regiments" we can identify three groups:-
1) The DUDs (30%)
1 / 6 Warks: Terrible reputation for indiscipline in the Coruna campaign (391 casualties without even a battle), and further shattered at Walcheren. Did little good thereafter: the regiment of Kiggell (Haig's CoS for most of WW1), of Slim and of Montgomery: but under Wellington it was third rate at best!
2 / 48 Northants: Holds Medellin, Talavera; annihilated at Albuera (cavalry charge) & goes home. A short war but a not very glorious one!
2 / 59 Notts: Battered at Coruna, then heavy fighting at Gamarras, Vittoria; lightly engaged at St Sebastian & Pyrenees. Not engaged at Waterloo. Got off on wrong foot & did little!
2) Patchy, MEDIUM Records (30%)
1 / 38 Staffs: Walcheren but took an important role at both Salamanca and Vittoria. Involved in the disgrace of the 5th Division at San Sebastian. Very mixed record!
2 / 58 Rutland: Mauled in Burgos retreat and amalgamated with 2 / 24 as '3rd Provisional Bn'. Fully engaged in Pyrenees &c 1813-14. Unlucky!
1 / 58 Rutland: Maida and East Coast - No details to hand.
3) Classic 'ÉLITE' Regiments (40%)
2 / 24 Warks (later SWB!): Hard-fighting 'élite' regiment at Talavera, Fuentes and Burgos. But fell apart in the retreat from Burgos, and amalgamated with the 2 / 58th as the '3rd Provisional Regiment'.
2 / 38 Staffs: Important role at Busaco, then did well at Badajoz and Salamanca, but then went home. A short war but a glorious one!
1 / 45 Notts: fought notably at Rolica, Talavera, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Vittoria and thereafter. 'The real thing'!
1 / 48 Northants: Took a decisive role in saving the centre at Talavera in 1809; but was then all but destroyed at Albuera, Badajoz, Salamanca ... In lead at Nanclares, at Soraurenand in key manoeuvre at Toulouse. A very unlucky regiment that kept on fighting well!
List #2: The 'Midlands Peninsular War Regiments', 1808 - 14
| No. and Name in 1803 - 15 | Bat talion No. | Combat Experiences (Albeit never 'Closely Engaged' unless emphasis or extra details are supplied) |
|---|---|---|
| 6th ("1st Warwickshire") | 1 / 6 | Rolica & Vimeiro, 1808; Shattered in Corunna campaign, 1809 (albeit not in the battle Walcheren 1809; Home; PW 1813-14, including a hard fight at St Boes, Orthez 1814. Generally a Dud Regiment. |
| 24th ("2nd Warwickshire") | 2 / 24 | Halts initial French surprise at Talavera, 1809 then moves to cover the collapse of the centre (343 casualties!). Busaco 1810; Fuentes 1811 fights in the village; Salamanca 1812; Burgos 1812 - heavily involved in the storming attempts (237 casualties: AMALGAMATED with 2 / 58); PW 1813-14, including a hard fight at St Boes, Orthez 1814. Does brilliantly well at Talavera, but scuppered by Burgos. |
| 38th ("1st Staffordshire") | 1 / 38 | Rolica & Vimeiro, 1808; In Corunna campaign, 1809 (but not in the battle): lost 143; Walcheren 1809; PW. 1812-14 including central role in 5th Div's, advance at Salamanca, 1812, from Arapiles village (141 lost); Heavy losses at Burgos 1812; Vittoria 1813; failed assault of the lesser breach at San Sebastian 1813 (228 casualties); hard fighting at Barouilhet, battle of the Nive 1813 (106 casualties). A good fighting record! |
| 2 / 38 | Very successful counter-attack against Foy's attack at Busaco,1810; Fuentes 1811; Helps take Badajoz castle from the rear, 1812; Central role in 5th Div's advance at Salamanca, 1812, from Arapiles village; Very low battle casualties (23, 42 and 51) in all these 3 highly successful actions. Far worse loss at Burgos. Then went home: Overall good, but scuppered by Burgos! | |
| 45th ("1st Nottinghamshire") | 1 / 45 | Hard frontline fighting at Rolica 1808; Vimeiro 1808; central role covering the collapsing front Talavera, 1809 (180 casualties); crucial role at Busaco 1810 (150 lost); Fuentes 1811; El Bodon; major role in storming the great breach at Ciudad Rodrigo, 1812 (48 lost); storms castle at Badajoz 1812 (97 lost); in front rank of Pakenham's main attack at Salamanca, 181 (55 lost); leads Picton's attack at Vittoria, 1813 (75 loat); in the Pyrenees battles 1813-14, Orthez (heavy losses); and recklessly used in the front of the Toulouse battle, 1814 (85 casualties). One of the very BEST PW regiments! |
| 48th ("Northamptonshire") | 1 / 48 | Holds Medellin against night attack, then saves the whole day in the centre - Talavera 1809 (Colonel Donellan: 168 lost). Busaco 1810; heavily engaged (with 280 = 75% casualties) in the firefight at Albuera, 1811; central in storming of Badajoz 1812 (173 casualties); defeated in heavy fighting at Salamanca, 1812; in initial frontal attacks at Nanclares, Vittoria 1813; Pyrenees battles 1813-14, including especially hard (but successful) fighting at Sorauren, 1813; fails at St Boes, Orthez; and a part in the key move at Toulouse, 1814. A good but patchy record! |
| 2 / 48 | Holds Medellin at night at Talvera 1809 (68 lost); Busaco 1810; four fifths (343) casualties at Albuera 1811, annihilated by French Cavalry attack in the rain. Went home soon afterwards. Short but good record! | |
| 58th ("Rutlandshire") | 1 / 58 | Maida 1806 (Did Well); PW in Eastern Spain 1811-14. Scarcely engaged at Castalla, or Tarragona. Good, but misses key theatre. |
| 2 / 58 | Salamanca 1812; Shattered at Burgos & amalgamated with 2 / 24. Late for Vittoria 1813; PW 1813-14, including a hard fight at St Boes, Orthez 1814. This regiment never got going! | |
| 59th ("2nd Nottinghamshire") | 2 / 59 | Coruna 1809 (143 casualties in the campaign); Home, then PW 1812-14, including heavy fighting in the Gamarras, Vittoria 1813; and at San Sebastian then Barouilhet, Battle of the Nive, 1813. Just misses Waterloo 1815. A late starter... |
Sources
Paddy Griffith (ed), Wellington - Commander! (Bird and V&A Museum, 1984)
S J Park & G F Nafziger, The British Military, Its System and Organization 1803 - 1815 (RAFM, Ontario, Canada 1983)
C Oman, A History of the Peninsular War (7 Vols, Oxford 190-2)
C T Atkinson. The South Wales Bordered, 24th Foot (Cambridge Universitry Press 1937)
J P Jones, A Histtory of the South Staffordshire Regiument, 1705-1923 (Whitehead, Wolverhampton 1923)
P H Dalbiac, History of the 45th: 1st Nottinghamshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) (Swan Sonnenschein, London 1902)
Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 2 No. 1
Back to EEL List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1993 by Emperor's Headquarters
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com