Whilst these operations were going on, Soult was organizing his discouraged
army, in order to make, as early as possible, another convenient stand.
The enemy fell back on Orthes, and there took up a strong position;
Soult was, nevertheless, destined to be beaten again at Orthes. It
so happened that, for the first time since the battle of Vittoria, our
cavalry were engaged: the nature of the ground at Nive and Nivelle was
such as to prevent the possibility of employing the mounted soldier.

I must here record an incident which created a considerable sensation
in military circles in connection with the battle of Orthes. The 10th
Hussars, officered exclusively by men belonging to the noblest families
of Great Britain, showed a desire to take a more active part in the
contest than their colonel (Quintin) thought prudent. They pressed hard
to be permitted to charge the French cavalry on more than one occasion,
but in vain. This so disgusted every officer in the regiment, that
they eventually signed a round robin, by which they agreed never again
to speak to their colonel. When the regiment returned to England, a
court of inquiry was held, which resulted, through the protection of
the Prince Regent, in the colonel's exoneration from all blame, and
at the same time the exchange of the rebellious officers into other regiments.

It was at the battle of Orthes that the late Duke of Richmond was shot
through the body, gallantly fighting with the 7th Fusiliers. Lord Wellington
had determined to cross the Adour, and Sir John Hope was intrusted with
a corps d'armee, which was the first to perform this difficult operation.
It was necessary to provide Sir John Hope with a number of small boats;
these were accordingly brought on the backs of mules from various Spanish
ports, it being impossible, on account of the surf at the entrance of
the Adour, as well as the command which the French held of that river,