Calling at Lisbon en route he was asked by General Cradock to take command of a brigade consisting of the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 50th regiments which Cradock wanted to send to join the army of Sir John Moore in Spain. He led the brigade safely to Castello Branco by way of Abrantes, handed over to Major-General Alan Cameron, and joined the main army under Sir John Moore. He reached Toro in safety, was put in command of a brigade of General Sir Edward Paget's reserve consisting of the 28th and 91st regiments, and detailed to cover the retreat of Sir John Moore to Corunna. For his services at the Battle of Corunna he received a gold medal and was promoted to major-general on 25 April 1809.