A trooper of the 15th,1808. | Changing to Hussars For the remainder of 1805, and throughout 1806, the regiment was stationed at Radipole barracks, and there underwent conversion to Hussars. The troops were then ordered to be held in readiness for foreign service, but did not leave during that year. Following a review by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York on the 20th July on Hounslow heath, the regiment moved to Woodbridge barracks. There, along with the Seventh and Tenth Hussars and two troops of Horse Artillery, they formed the first Hussar Brigade to be seen in England, under the command of Major-General Lord Paget. A review of this Brigade by the Commander-in-Chief on the 5th October drew warm praise.
Battle of Sahagun About seven hundred French horsemen stood opposed to between three and four hundred British sabres; the disparity of numbers was great, but Lord Paget had unbounded confidence in his men, and he led the regiment at speed against the opposing squadrons. Stimulated by his noble example, the Fifteenth dashed forward with resistless impetuosity. The French, who had beheld the beautiful order of the march in column, had still the firmness to stand the charge; but they were overthrown in an instant, [The 15th over difficult ground charge the 1st Provisional Chasseurs and the 8th Dragoons] and dispersed in every direction; pursued and overtaken, some sharp fighting took place; many of the enemy fell beneath the sabres of the King's Hussars; two Lieut.-Colonels, eleven other officers, and one hundred and fifty four private soldiers, were made prisoners; one hundred and twenty-five horses, several mules, and a quantity of baggage, fell also into the hands of the victors: the remainder of the French Dragoons escaped to Santarbas.When this affair was over, Lord Paget expressed to the officers and soldiers his thanks for the very gallant manner in which they had conducted themselves; their superiority over the French Dragoons had been decidedly established; the loss of the Fifteenth was limited to two private soldiers and four horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Grant, Adjutant Jones, eighteen rank and file, and ten horses wounded. The distinguished conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Grant was rewarded with a medal; Lord Paget also received a medal; the conduct of the Hussars was commended by Sir John Moore, and the regiment was subsequently honoured with the royal authority to bear on its appointments the word "SAHAGUN", to commemorate this spirited action."
Following this gallant event was the dreadful retreat to Corunna in which many hundreds of British soldiers were slaughtered or simply died in the close pursuit by Marshal Soult and, at a distance, Napoleon himself. At Benevente Hussars of the 10th and 18th just as famously defeated Napoleon's famed Chasseurs à cheval alongside a detachment of the elite Mamelukes, both of the Imperial Guard. Yet all these fine actions did the Hussars brigade little good, for although their constant efforts in the rear guard saved Sir John Moore's army there was no space on ship for the surviving, famished horses of that brave brigade. And in the words of Private Thomas Pococke of the 71st "On my return to the camp I witnessed a most moving scene. The beach was covered with dead horses, and resounded with the reports of the pistols that were carrying this havoc amongst them. The animals, as if warned by the dead bodies of their fellows, appeared frantic, neighed and screamed in the most frightful manner. Many broke loose and galloped alongst the beach with their manes erect and their mouths wide open".
And so it was that the Hussars left the Peninsula, not to return for several years with the fame of their efforts at their back.
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