division round his left flank, he leisurely withdrew to another ridge of mountain about a mile in his rear, and maintained his ground throughout the day against every assault.

The enemy, thus foiled at all points, retired in the night. The allies pursued them the next morning, and came up to two divisions posted in the pass of Donna Maria, on a very formidable position." These troops were immediately dislodged by the second and seventh divisions, under Sir ROWLAND HILL and Lord Dalhousie. Nothing could exceed the ardour with which these divisions ascended the flanks of the mountain. The brigade of General Barnes drove more than double its numbers from one of the most difficult points.

Lord Wellington had marched in pursuit by the pass of Velate, on Irurita: thus turning the pass of Donna Maria.

A large convoy going to the enemy was taken by General Byng in

the town of Elizondo.

The pursuit was still vigorously continued on the 1st of August in the valley of the Bidassoa, and many prisoners and much baggage were captured. On the evening of this day the posts of the army were again established upon the frontier, in nearly the same positions which they had occupied on the 25th of July.

Thus terminated a series of severe combats and brilliant operations, in which the enemy put forth all his strength, and manifested all his skill and experience in vain. They lost more than 8000 men. How great were Soult's expectations of success, may be gathered not merely from the confident tone of his address to his army, but from his advancing into the Pyrenees, accompanied by a large body of cavalry, and a great number of guns, which he did not and could not use in the battle that occurred. On the night of the 28th he sent back his guns to France, which were thus only preserved. On the 28th, the garrison of Pampeluna made a spirited sortie, and obtained possession of several batteries; but they were driven back again by the Spanish division under Don Carlos d'Espana. Although Soult penetrated within one league of the place, and manoeuvred near it for four days, no communication whatever passed between the army and the garrison: they heard the very struggle for their relief,the firing ceased, and Pampeluna was abandoned to its fate. Never were the abilities of Lord Wellington more severely tried, or more eminently displayed, than in these important actions; never was a General more devotedly supported by brave and attached soldiers, than he was by all the troops who fought on these memorable days. The loss of the allies amounted to 6000.

THE BATTLE OF THE NIVELLE.

THE enemy had for three months been fortifying their position with great labour and care. Their line covered the town of St. Jean de Luz; in front of which place their right rested upon the sea. From this point the line stretched twelve miles inland; crossed the River

D 2

[Nivelle,

Nivelle, and terminated on a strong height behind the village of Ainhoue. Upon a mountain in front of that village, they had also erected works to protect the approach of their left. The centre was on the left of the Nivelle, as the river there winds far to the north, making a considerable bend in its course. The bridge. at Ascain, and that a little below it, were covered by strong têtes-de pont; and the space included in the bend of the stream was defended by several enclosed works and strong lines of entrenchments. The main defence of the centre was on a range of heights behind Sarre, the approach to which was covered by two redoubts, and by the mountain called La Petite la Rhune, which had been retrenched and ocaupied as an advanced post. The whole of this position was strong by nature and it had been fortified with skill. In many parts it was Impregnable in front, especially on the right, which was covered by several formidable redoubts, and by a strong interior line. The plan of attack was to force the enemy's centre, and turn their right.

The left wing of the allies was directed by Sir John Hope, with two divisions under Generals Howard and Hay, a brigade under Lord Aylmer, and two of Portuguese infantry, under Generals Wilson and Bradford. The centre was divided into two columns. General Charles Alten commanded the left centre, which was formed by the light infantry (his own) division, and by Longa's corps of Spanish infantry. Marshal Beresford directed the right centre, which was composed of the 3d, 4th, and 7th divisions, under Generals Colville, Cole, and the Portuguese General Le Cor. The right wing of the army consisted of the second division, under General Stewart; the sixth, under General Clinton; the Portuguese division of General Hamilton; and the Spanish division of Murillo. This wing was under the conduct of Sir ROWLAND HILL. The Spanish army of General Giron was in reserve behind the centre ; and the cavalry of the army appointed to support these operations was also formed in rear of the centre, under Sir Stapleton Cotton. Soon after midnight, on the morning of the 10th of November, the various columns upon the right wound down the gloomy passes of the Pyrenees in strict silence, lighted by the moon. Along the whole line of the meditated attacks, the columns advanced as close to the enemy's pickets as it was possible to do without discovery. These halted, and, perserving their formation, lay down upon the ground in stillness, waiting for the break of day. At earliest dawn the battle opened. The fourth division moved rapidly against a strong redoubt in front of the village of Sarre, and carried it with very little loss. The village, which had been barricaded for resistance, was immediately abandoned by the enemy, without one effort to save it. The attack on La Petite la Rhune was made at the same moment by the light division. These troops immediately rushed over the line of the entrenchments, forcing the enemy back, and driving them with such vigour from one defence to another, that the garrisons in the redoubts lost all confidence, abandoned them without a struggle, and the brow of La Petite la Rhune was soon crowned by a column of the assailants. The advanced posts of the

enemy's line being thus vigorously seized, a general attack was made upon the fortified heights in rear of Sarre. The divisions of Gene

rals Colville and Le Cor marched steadily upon them, covered by their light infantry. The ascent was steep, and the whole face of it was covered with abatis, and lines of entrenchment. The enemy poured a heavy fire of musketry on the assaulting columns, but they would not be denied, and pressed onwards with such steady resolution that the enemy gave up their ground without further contest, and retired in haste and confusion to the bridge on the Nivelle. On this range of heights only one redoubt offered any serious resistance. Here the garrison, confiding in the strength of a post which formed part of a line of entrenchments on very difficult and strong ground opposite La Rhune, held their ground so long, that as the light division, having bravely forced their way over all obstacles, was forming for the assault, Marshal Beresford led a column to intercept their retreat, and they were taken prisoners; a fine battalion of more than five hundred men. While these affairs were taking place in the centre, Sir RowLAND HILL advanced against the heights of Ainhoue in echellons of divisions. That of General Clinton led. They marched directly on the right of the five redoubts, crossed the Nivelle by a ford, and, steadily ascending the position, attacked the troops formed at that point. These were soon beaten, and the nearest redoubt abandoned by its garrison. The sixth division pursued and supported General Hamilton's Portuguese in the attack of the other redoubts, which fell without resistance, the garrisons all retiring as they were approached. General Stewart's division drove the enemy from a parallel ridge in the rear, defended by a strong field-work. Sir ROWLAND HILL now led both divisions on Espelette, when the enemy abandoned the advanced works which they still held in front of Ainhoue, and retreated with all haste towards Cambo.

By these various and able movements, and by the intrepidity and success of the several attacks, the allies were established in rear of the enemy's original position, and had driven back their centre upon their right. The French now concentrated a large force on the heights above St. Pé and Ascain, and drew up in battle order. Against these troops immediate dispositions were made. The third, seventh, and sixth divisions were directed to advance upon this position, marching, two divisions on the left, and one on the right bank of the Nivelle. The enemy defended this ground for a short time with a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, but as soon as the allied columns closed upon them they retired from it in disorder. It was now sunset. By these successes the allies were established in the rear of the enemy's right, and with the approach of night the firing ceased. Marshal Soult was thus manoeuvred out of this long-prepared position, and his troops were at all points beaten. The French army had mustered near 70,000 combatants. They were placed on strong ground; they were covered by entrenchments, and supported by redoubts; they had all possible advantage which a thorough knowledge of all the roads and paths of communication could give; and they were contending with an enemy on their own frontier, to save their own country from invasion. Yet they suffered themselves to be dislodged from every point that was assailed, with an absence of spirit which astonished their opponents. The loss of the allies on this proud and memorable day did not exceed 2500 killed and wounded. Fifty guns and 1500 prisoners were taken upon the field.

THE BATTLE OF THE NIVE.

AS it was most important to the enemy, if possible, to penetrate to St. Jean de Luz, and as he had made such bold and persevering attacks upon the 10th, and still maintained himself in the same hostile attitude and force in front of the left wing, it was necessary to keep a great portion of the allied troops closed towards the left. But Lord Wellington apprehensive that he might suddenly change his attack, and throw the whole weight of his disposable force on the corps of Sir ROWLAND HILL, had given that officer full discretion to order the sixth division across the Nive, whenever he might require their services, without any reference to the commander of the corps in the centre. Moreover, with a vigilant suspicion of his adversary's intentions, very early in the morning of the 13th, orders were given for the fourth division, and a part of the third, to be moved towards the right, and held in readiness to cross the Nive if required.

These precautions were not without reason; for, during the night of the 12th, Soult passed through Bayonne with his main force; and, at daylight on the 13th, he poured out of his entrenchments 30,000 men, and directed them in massive columns of attack upon the position of Sir ROWLAND HILL.

The corps of Sir ROWLAND mustered about 13,000 British and Portuguese. The brigade of General Byng was on the right, in front of the village of Vieux Monguerre. It was drawn up on high ground, with the Adour upon its right, and several mill-dams on its left. The brigade of General Pringle was posted upon the ridge of Ville Franche, on the left flank; the River Nive ran immediately below his left, and in the valley to his right were also several mill-dams. The brigade of General Barnes, and the Portuguese brigade of General Ashworth, occupied a range of heights opposite to the village of St. Pierre. A reserve of two Portuguese brigades was formed in rear of Ville Franche.

Soult's plan of attack was soon developed. He marched in full strength upon the centre, counting, by the united assault of superior numbers, to win the ridge of St. Pierre, carry the great road to St. Jean Pied de Port, and break through the position.

The arrangements of Sir RowLAND HILL to repulse this powerful attack were instantly and ably made. He directed General Byng to leave one battalion at Vieux Monguerre, and hasten with his brigade to the right of the centre. A Portuguese brigade from Ville Franche was ordered up on the left of the centre; and he sent an Aide-de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton, desiring him to move the sixth division to his support. While these various movements were in progress, the French columns arrived upon the slopes which led up to the centre, and hastened up, at a bold and rapid pace, in the firmest order. Disregarding the crushing bullets of a well-served artillery, the grape, and the musketry of the light troops, they pressed onwards in the spirit and with the bearing of their best days. They established themselves on the advance of the position, and

were gaining ground on their brave opponents by the force and weight of numbers, when the brigades marching from the flanks arrived at the very moment they were needed, and joined battle. The combat was long, bloody, and stubborn. The attacks often repulsed, were as often renewed with fury. The French fought with hope, with a knowledge of their strength, and with a city of France looking on. They struggled hard for victory; but they were finally beaten, and driven back with a terrible slaughter. The regiments of General Barnes's brigade behaved nobly; and the Portuguese troops were brave and true.

Upon the right flank, the enemy at one time during the contest forced back the battalion and light companies from Vieux Monguerre; but Sir Rowland Hill ordered them to recover it; and the battalion (the Buffs) rushed instantly upon the village, and drove out the enemy. The left, under General Pringle, was no further engaged than by a lively fire of the French light infantry, and by cannonade; and the 6th division was not up till the day was already won.

Soult, having exhausted all his efforts against Sir ROWLAND in vain, now, upon all sides, drew off; but his Conqueror pursued him on the open ground, and did considerable execution on his retiring columns. However, he attempted to make a stand, in great force, upon favourable ground in front of his entrenchments, and occupied a hill upon his left in great strength. This hill was most gallantly assaulted and carried by the brigade of General Byng, who led up in person, under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. The French infantry were beaten from the position, and two guns were taken. They made a stout effort to retake this hill, but they were again driven down; and a brigade of Portuguese being ordered to reinforce Byng, they made no further attempt on the allies.

This glorious battle was fought and won by Sir ROWLAND HILL with his own corps, alone and unassisted. Lord Wellington could not reach the field till the victory was achieved, and as he rode up to his successful General he shook him heartily by the hand, with the frank remark, "Hill, the day's your own." He was exceedingly delighted with Sir ROWLAND's calm and beautiful conduct of this action, and with the intrepid and resolute behaviour of the troops; and, as he examined the ground, he observed that he had never yet seen so many dead Frenchmen in so small a space; a fact which attests the stern severity of this unequal contest.

The loss of the French, from the 9th to the 13th of December inclusive, was admitted, in their own returns, to exceed 1300 killed, and 4600 wounded. That of the allies was also heavy, and amounted to nearly 5000 killed and wounded.

THE BATTLE OF HILLETTE.

DURING this season, Lord Wellington was busily engaged in maturing his preparations to resume the offensive. The best speculations concerning his plans had commonly proved mistaken; many