Major Duncan opened a powerful battery of ten guns on the centre. Brigadier-General Dilkes, with his brigade; LieutenantColonel Brown's (of the 28th) flank battalion; Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott's two companies of the rifle corps; and Major Acheson, with a part of the 67th Foot; (separated from the regiment in the wood); formed on the right. Colonel Wheatley's brigade, with three companies of Coldstream Guards under Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson; and Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard's flank battalion; formed on the left. The right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin's division on the hill, while Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard's, and Lieutenant Colonel Busche's detachment, 20th Portuguese, were warmly engaged on the left with the enemy's tirailleurs.-General Laval's division, notwithstanding the havoc made by the battery above mentioned, continued to advance in very imposing masses, opening his fire of musquetry, and was only checked by that of the left wing; the latter now advanced, firing, and a spirited charge made by the three companies of the Guards and the 87th regiment, supported by the remainder of the wing, decided the defeat of General Laval's division.

Of the immediate operations relating to the right wing, consisting of the brigade under Brigadier-General Dilkes, the following is a correct statement. At the time the troops were halted on the East side of the heights of Barrosa, Lieutenant-General Graham's orders were conveyed for Brigadier-General Dilkes' brigade, as well as that of Colonel Wheatley, to proceed towards Santi Petri. The column accordingly began its march (left in front Colonel Wheatley's brigade leading) over the hill, and, descending the other side, entered a fir wood, so thick as to be almost impracticable to the guns and mounted officers.-Brigadier-General Dilkes had advanced about a mile, when a Staff officer overtook the brigade, seeking General Graham, and reporting that the enemy had made his appearance in the plain they had just quitted; it was not understood that the enemy were in considerable force, and the natural impression was to face about, and return to meet him, but it was judged proper to wait the Lieutenant-General's orders, which were not long delayed, and the column retraced its steps rear rank in front.-Before quite clear of the wood, Brigadier-General Dilkes formed his brigade, countermarched the divisions, and a deployment was shortly after completed; the battalion styled a detachment, composed of companies belonging to the Coldstream and 3d Guards, forming in second line to the 1st regiment.-During this movement, an appli

cation being made for a party to cover the guns, Brigadier-General

Dilkes sent three companies of the first-mentioned battalion for that service, which were afterwards employed on the left during the action.

The line now advanced obliquely to the right, towards a corps of the enemy, which occupied the heights the British had so lately passed, and a heavy fire of artillery and musketry was kept up on both sides; but the line continuing their advance with distinguished gallantry, that part of the enemy's force immediately opposed to them was obliged to withdraw towards another corps upon his right. The British still advanced, bringing forward the right shoulders, and thereby threatening the enemy's left, who at length formed that flank en masse, continuing his retreat down the hill, and ascending another rising ground, halting occasionally, and keeping up a severe destructive fire. At one time the enemy were perceived to push forward two or three divisions from the masse, as was conceived, to charge the British line, but the well-directed fire of our troops, still advancing, obliged him to desist; and the British were too exhausted with their difficult march, &c. to return the compliment.

Soon after our troops had began to descend the hill, the enemy's cavalry were observed posted on his left, and it was constantly expected that he would charge a weak part of our line; he had actually made a movement seemingly for that purpose.-Major-General Dilkes, and his Aide-de-Camp, were at this period dismounted, both their horses having been shot under them. The British cavalry now arrived on the field of action, and immediately charged the enemy, who, after a slight hesitation, advanced to the encounter, both parties meeting at a hand gallop; they mixed, dispersed, and reformed, the enemy retiring, and our hussars pursuing the stragglers. It was about this period the Walloon Guards arrived on the right of Brigadier-General Dilkes' brigade.

After the defeat of the enemy's cavalry, he continued to retreat obliquely to his right, still firing, until some artillery being brought up, his complete retreat was decided, and the line received Lieutenant-General Graham's orders to halt.

Sir Thomas Graham has borne ample testimony to the distinguished part taken by the Guards in this gallant battle. Then, as on every other occasion in which they have been engaged, the conduct of this corps reflected high honour on their commander, and Major-General Dilkes has been often heard to express in the warm

est terms, his admiration of the gallantry displayed by, and gratitude for the support he received from every individual of the brigade he had the honour to command. But it was not the first time he had witnessed their bravery; many had been his associates in former campaigns, and more particularly in the affair of Lincelles, a day every Guardsman looks back to with pride and satisfaction.

The annexed extract of a dispatch dated 30th March, 1811, from Lord Liverpool to General Graham, will best convey the sentiments with which the account of the conduct of the troops in the action of Barrosa was received by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, the Houses of Parliament, and by the Commander-in-Chief.

"The Prince Regent has likewise felt the highest gratification in observing the unanimous spirit with which the officers and soldiers under your command vied in the execution of your orders, and the steady discipline and unconquerable valour which at length accomplished a decisive victory over an enemy nearly double their numbers, and of long experience and high reputation in war.

"The severe loss which has been sustained in this action by the gallant troops whom you, sir, so worthily led, has been a subject of deep regret to the mind of the Prince Regent; but such a conflict could not but be attended with the fall of many brave men, and the partial sacrifice has probably saved the allies from the most calamitous events. The memory of those who conquered, and of those who fell in the hour of victory upon the heights of Barrosa, will be ever cherished by the British nation; and their names will hold a conspicuous rank among the bravest and worthiest of our heroes. "His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased to direct that, as an honorable ensign of the distinguished merit displayed by the General and Field Officers in the direction of departments, or in the command of corps on this memorable day, a medal shall be worn by them, bearing the glorious name of Barrosa."

In addition to the medal which Major-General Dilkes was ho-noured with by his sovereign for the distinguished share he bore in the battle of Barrosa, he received the thanks of his country in both Houses of Parliament, and the City of London honoured him with its freedom, and a sword of the value of one hundred guineas.

The following letter, dated 29th of March, 1811, from His Royal Highness the Duke of York to Major-General Dilkes, is a further flattering testimonial of the gallant conduct of that officer, and the troops he commanded, in the battle of Barrosa.-It is extracted from the Brigade Orders of the 28th of April, and does infinite honour to the head and heart of His Royal Highness.

"I take the earliest opportunity in my power of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 9th of March, and of thanking you for your

obliging attention in communicating to me thus early, what relates to the distinguished conduct of my gallant old friends, the Guards, under your command in the glorious and severely-contested action of the 5th. While I congratulate you and them on the successful result of an action in which their efforts were so conspicuous, and so deserying of the admiration with which all have viewed them, I cannot conceal my deep feelings of regret, that it has been attended with so severe and painful a loss of officers and men, which upon this occasion, perhaps, makes a deeper impression upon me, as many of the latter were old soldiers, and faithful companions, whose meritorious exertions I have myself witnessed, and had occasion to approve upon former occasions.

"I have read with great satisfaction, in Lieut.-Gen. Graham's dispatch, the high and well-earned encomiums bestowed upon your conduct, and that of the officers and men engaged under your command; and as a brother Guardsman, (a title of which I shall ever be most proud) and Colonel of the corps, I trust I shall not be considered as exceeding the limits of my station in requesting that you will yourself receive and convey to the brigade under your orders, my sincere and cordial thanks for having so gloriously maintained, and indeed, if possible, raised the high character of a corps in whose success, collectively and individually, I shall never cease to take the warmest interest."

Shortly after the action of the 5th of March, the brigade of Guards were ordered home, and Brigadier-General Dilkes returned to England with them.-Previous to his leaving Isla, however, he issued the following Brigade Orders.

"Isla, 29th April, 1811.

"Brigadier-General Dilkes cannot suffer the brigade to be thus broken up without requesting the officers and men will accept his assurances of the high sense he entertains of their general conduct, the cheerful alacrity with which they have discharged their duties upon all occasions, and of the consequent gratification he has derived from a command at all times honourable, but which since the memorable 5th of March, he has felt still more elated with. He now, with pleasure, repeats his admiration of the gallantry exhibited by them on that day-fortunate are those who participated in the glory of it himself doubly so. To those who continue under his command, the Brigadier-General expresses his satisfaction at still retaining them; to those who are now separated from him, he offers his assurances of heartfelt good wishes for their happiness and success wherever the fortune of war may conduct them."

In the brevet of June 1811 this officer was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and again had the command of the brigade of Guards in London. In this same year a severe domestic calamity prevented him accepting a command under Lord Wellington at the moment it was offered him, and it appears that under these circum. stances he did not think it right to continue on the Home Staff, from

which he obtained permission to retire. Since this period the MajorGeneral has not neglected the renewal of his offers of service to the present illustrious Commander-in-Chief, but we believe, as yet, they have not been called for.

Many reports having been circulated relative to Major-General Dilkes declining the above-mentioned offer, we feel it necessary to add a few remarks on that subject. We have heard it said that MajorGeneral Dilkes declined joining Lord Wellington's army on this occasion because the great object of his ambition and expectation was not thereby promoted, namely, continuing to command abroad or at home, some part of a corps with which his services had been so fortunate. It appears to us that Major-General Dilkes' attachment to the Guards is but natural; he has served with them in his various ranks, and generally in the most active stations; but whatever may have been his private feelings on this point, we feel confident that he would have sacrificed them for the benefit of the service, and we are therefore perfectly convinced that the real and true cause was, the lamentable event above alluded to. With regard to any uneasiness the Major-General may have entertained on the subject of the offer, it could have arisen on no other foundation than it having been heretofore an invariable practice, that General Officers holding commands in the Guards, have not been removed therefrom, unless by promotion, or employments in some superior situation.

GENERAL SARRAZIN.

BY HIMSELF.

BORN in France the 15th of August 1770, Captain of Infantry in 1792, Engineer in 1794, Colonel of the 14th regiment of dragoons in 1796, General in 1798, and exchanged by the English government as a LieutenantGeneral, the 8th of October 1798, for the English General Sir Harry Burrard, an Ensign, a Serjeant, and five Soldiers, I received orders from the Directory to repair to the army of Italy, commanded by General Joubert; no sooner arrived at this destination, than I was intrusted with the command of a column consisting of eight battalions, to join the army of Rome, commanded by General Championnet. The Neapolitan army having been beaten was pursued by the French, who took possession of Naples. This movement leaving defenceless the Roman states, where a spirit of disaffection was general, determined the General in Chief to leave at Rome the reinforcement I had brought him.

It was not long before the great propriety of this measure was made apparent. Civita Vecchia rose up in arms, and I received orders to march and bring the inhabitants to submission. The chief command of this expedition was confided to General Merlin, a good Grenadier, but totally unacquainted