Ciudad Rodrigo 5th-19th January 1812

Badajos, 17th March to 17th April 1812

The 1812 campaign began with the siege and capture by assault of the two fortresses which guarded the Spanish frontier. Companies of the 5th Battalion played their part as covering troops to divisions.

At Ciudad Rodrigo one company distinguished itself at the capture of the convent of Santa Cruz. At Badajos four companies lost 6 officers and 44 other ranks, mainly in the final assault.

Salamanca, 22nd July 1812

Sending Hill to destroy the bridge of Almaraz, and advancing into Spain, Wellington on 22nd July defeated Marmont at the decisive Battle of Salamanca, when the 5th Battalion lost 3 officers and 33 other ranks. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams was wounded.

The English General thereupon marched towards Madrid and entered the capital in triumph on 12th August. But the French were so strongly reinforced that the British troops were obliged to retire for the winter to Portugal.

Campaign of 1813

Vittoria, 21st June 1813

In May, 1813, the army finally quitted Portugal, and again advancing drove the French northwards. On 21st June Wellington gained a splendid victory over King Joseph at Vittoria, capturing 150 guns and all their transport.

In this battle Colonel Fitzgerald commanded a battalion made up of three companies of the 5th Battalion and light companies of other regiments. They had very heavy fighting, attack and counter-attack, on the right of the battle front. Three headquarter companies under Major Galiffe led the final attack on Arinez, cleared the village and broke the French centre.

Driven from Spain, the French army rallied on the frontier on the River Bidassoa, where Soult assumed command, having been dispatched by Napoleon to supersede his brother, King Joseph, and Marshal Jourdan.