I turned at the sound; it was Lord Wellington who spoke.

My eye fixed upon his stern features, I forgot all else; when he suddenly recalled me to my recollection by saying,-- "Follow your brigade, sir.

Charge!" In an instant I was with my people, who, intervening betwixt Ramsey and his pursuers, repulsed the enemy with loss, and carried off several prisoners.
The French, however, came up in greater strength; overwhelming masses of cavalry came sweeping upon us, and we were obliged to retire behind the light division, which rapidly formed into squares to resist the cavalry.
The Seventh Division, which was more advanced, were, however, too late for this movement, and before they could effect their formation, the French were upon them.

At this moment they owed their safety to the Chasseurs Britanniques, who poured in a flanking fire, so close, and with so deadly an aim, that their foes recoiled, beaten and bewildered.
Meanwhile the French had become masters of Pogo Velho; the formidable masses had nearly outflanked us on the right.

The battle was lost if we could not fall back upon our original position, and concentrate our force upon Fuentes d'Onoro.