4th Division

Light Division

Major-General Hon. C. Colville.

Lieut.-Colonel Barnard, 95th Regt.

To storm the breaches in the bastions of La Trinidad and Santa Maria, and in the curtain connected therewith between Fort Pardeleros and the Castle.

5th Division

Lieut.-General Leith.

To attack Fort Pardeleros, and to escalade the walls of Badajos near the western gate.

Portuguese Division - Brigadier-General Power.

To storm the bridge over the Guardiana, and attack the works on the right banks of the river.

About two hours after dark the divisions marched from the camp, and advanced to the several points of attack a few minutes before ten o'clock, conducted by engineer officers. The 3d division, led by Major-General Kempt, and commanded by General Picton,

began the assault by an escalade near the castle. Much difficulty occurred in passing the river Rivellas, and afterwards in placing the ladders, some of which were too short, and others broke, Major-General Kempt and General Picton were carried back into the trenches wounded, and many brave officers and men were killed or drowned. The troops, however, advanced under a heavy fire from all the batteries of the town. Major-General Colville and Lieut.-Colonel Barnard, with the 4th and light divisions, moved out of the trenches, and began their arduous task of storming the breaches; led by their officers, these brave troops (after a dreadful carnage) gained the top of the breaches, and cheered by the divisions escalading on their right and left, looked for conquest; but such were the obstacles prepared by the enemy, and so obstinate was their defence, that almost all our foremost band shared a forlorn hope and perished. The mouths of the breaches had not only been blocked up with sand-bags and chevaux de frise, but behind the ramparts broad and deep trenches had been dug, along the beds of

which were planted iron spikes and old swords, every house or building near being loop-holed, and occupied by the enemy's light infantry. The obstacles altogether

were of such a nature that our troops, notwithstanding all their heroism and devotedness, were obliged to give way. They renewed the attack, however, and were a second time forced to withdraw. Major-General Colville was carried off most dreadfully wounded; and nearly all the commanding officers had fallen. Meanwhile, on the left of these, Major-General Walker, with his brigade of the 5th division, was seen assaulting the town by escalade, under a most tremendous fire, which caused them great loss.--Many of their ladders, unfortunately, broke, and Major-General Walker was carried away badly wounded. The troops, however, continuing to persevere, and to resist every obstacle, fought with a courage well suited to the occasion, which acquired for them the approbation of Lord Wellington, who viewed this terrific scene from a little eminence near the trenches, from whence he directed the several movements and attacks. For the space

of one hour and more, the troops had been engaged in this trying assault without making any sensible progress or impression, and Lord Wellington was in a state of the greatest anxiety as to its result, when an aide-de-camp galloping up from the trenches, announced the surrender of the Castle to the 3d division. This distinguished corps (which now acquired the name of the "fighting division," from its having been so often and so successfully engaged), after Generals Picton and Kempt were wounded, fell under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Campbell of the 94th regiment, a most distinguished officer, who, in the absence of Major-General Colville in command of the 4th division, commanded the left brigade. Destined (as mentioned in the order of attack) to assault the Castle, they had to escalade the walls where they are highest and most difficult of access, and doubts were entertained of the possibility of these troops effecting their object. The attention, however, of the enemy being in some degree drawn to the breaches by the fomidable attacks made at those points, the 3d division, by a gallant promptitude and persever

ance which covered them with glory, seized the favourable moment, and after a severe struggle, completely established themselves in the Castle of Badajos before the clock struck twelve. The conduct of the officers and troops in general was such, that it was difficult to say who most distinguished themselves. Major Carr of the 83d regiment was the first field-officer in the Castle, and held the proud command until Colonel Campbell appeared. I heard also that the French colours which were flying on the citadel were pulled down by the hand of Lieut. Macpherson of the 45th foot. Lieut.-Colonel Ridge of the 5th regiment, who had acquired so much fame at the head of his battalion in the recent storm at Ciudad Rodrigo, and in the affair at El Bodon, after again shewing his soldiers the way to victory, fell near the Castle gate. The 3d division having thus conquered the the Castle, orders were given for the 4th and light divisions to renew their attacks upon the breaches; and the 5th division, as well as the Portuguese troops on the other side of the place, persevering in their assaults, the town was at length taken. General Phillipon and his Lieut.-Governor, whose name I