13th Light Dragoons

Charging the French Guns

Captain James Gubbins mentions this incident in his journal which he kept throughout his time in the Peninsula War, from12th May 1811 to 14th May 1812. It occured at Arroyo Molinos, a village 40 miles northeast of Badajoz on 28th October 1811: " The battle began by the gun from the enemy; hard rain and a fog. The cavalry formed in a column of half squadrons on the right of the village to cut off the enemy's retreat, and the 92nd Regiment drove them through it at the point of the bayonet. The two squadrons of the Germans (Kings German Legion) charged the enemy, and afterwards, a squadron of the 9th, who cut them up. General Hill came up and took our centre squadron with him to charge the enemy's guns. The General, in high spirits, showed us the direction of the French artillery. Charged obliquely; the right of the squadron first up with them; took the guns (2 guns and a howitzer, 6-pounders). General Howard's brigade cheered us in passing. Rode forward and pursued the fugitives. Sullivan only up with me; took four prisoners and the horse and baggage of the French Colonel of the 4th Regiment; sent them to the rear."

Regimental details