Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/24

20 the Fort of Picarina in 1812 was mentioned in the official despatches.

But it was on the hard-fought field of Albuera that Hardinge's reputation was established as a staff-officer of no ordinary distinction. Sir W. Napier, who has painted in vivid language the heroic struggles which took place on the plateau above the Albuera river, thus describes the turning-point of the engagement: — 'Whilst the Marshal was thus preparing to resign the contest, Captain Hardinge boldly ordered General Cole to advance with the Fourth Division. Then, riding to Abercrombie's brigade, he directed him to push forward into the fight. The die being cast, Beresford acquiesced, and the terrible battle was continued. Cole led the Fusiliers up the contested height, when for a moment Houghton's brigade could no longer hold its ground. The Fusiliers soon mounted the hill, and appeared on the right of Houghton's brigade simultaneously with the advance of Abercrombie on the left. Such a line issuing from the smoke startled the enemy's masses. The Fusilier Battalion reeled and wavered. It was then seen with what a majesty the British soldier fights. Suddenly recovering, they closed on their terrible enemies. Then the French reserves endeavoured to maintain the fight. The rain flowed in torrents, discoloured with blood, and 1500 men out of 6000 unconquerable British soldiers stood triumphant on that fated hill.'

In 1829 strictures were published on Napier's ac-