Pyrenees, 24th July to 2nd August 1813

He immediately attacked the English, but was defeated with great slaughter at the Battle of the Pyrenees, which lasted eight days, from 24th July to 2nd August. The 5th Battalion was at this time commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John F. Fitzgerald.

Nivelle, 10th November 1813

Nive, 9th to 13th December, 1813

Wellington, then advancing into France, forced the passage of the Bidassoa on 7th October and carried the strongly fortified lines of the French upon the Nivelle River, after a battle which he considered the finest action of his career. The campaign ended in a further victory on the Nive after a battle lasting five days.

Campaign of 1814

After Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig in October, 1813, the Allies had driven the French armies back into France. In the south, after the Nive battle, operations ceased. Wellington, with 40,000 men, including Portuguese and Spaniards, faced Soult with 35,000. He also had 28,000 investing Bayonne. Early in February he resumed the offensive. A company of the 60th led the advance of the Guards Brigade at the passage of the Adour.

Orthez, 27th February 1814

Soult withdrew slowly on Orthez, where he took up a strong position from which he was driven, after heavy fighting, on 27th February. The French fell back fighting on Toulouse.

Toulouse, 10th April 1814

This battle was the last great victory of the Peninsular War. The French were thrown back into the city, which they evacuated two days later. Meanwhile, on the 10th, a determined sortie from Bayonne had been defeated. on 12th April news was received of Napoleon's abdication. Hostilities ceased on 18th April.

The 5th Battalion companies attached to divisions with Wellington had only 9 officers and 250 rifles remaining after this campaign of six weeks: the company at Bayonne had lost all its officers and was reduced to a strength of 40 other ranks.