a division of French in the neighbourhood of the mayor's house - which,
as before observed, was one of our principal strategical positions.
The French commanding officer, believing that no attempt would be made
to resist, galloped up to the officer of the British regiment, and demanded
his sword. Upon this, without the least hesitation, the British officer
shouted out, "This fellow wants us to surrender: charge, my boys! and
show them what stuff we are made of." Instantaneously, a hearty cheer
rang out, and our men rushed forward impetuously, drove off the enemy
at the point of the bayonet, and soon disposed of the surrounding masses.
In a few minutes they had taken prisoners, or killed, the whole of the
infantry regiment opposed to them.

On the 13th was fought the bloody battle of the Nivelle. Soult had
determined to make a gigantic effort to drive us back into Spain. During
the night of the 12th, he rapidly concentrated about sixty thousand
troops in front of Sir Rowland Hill's corps d'armee, consisting of 15,000
men, who occupied a very strong position, which was defended by some
of the best artillery in the world. At daybreak Sir Rowland Hill was
astonished to find himself threatened by masses of infantry advancing
over a country luckily intersected by rivulets, hedges, and woods, which
prevented the enemy from making a rapid advance; whilst, at the same
time, it was impossible on such ground to employ cavalry. Sir Rowland,
availing himself of an elevated position, hurriedly surveyed his ground,
and concentrated his men at such points as he knew the nature of the
field would induce the enemy to attack. The French, confident of success
from their superior numbers, came gallantly up, using the bayonet for
the first time in a premeditated attack; Our men stood their ground,
and for hours acted purely on the defensive; being sustained by the
admirable practice of our artillery, whose movements no difficulty of
ground could, on this occasion, impede, so efficiently were the guns