Star.
London, England, 1814-10-26 00:00:00

evident, from his own observation, that if the enemy
shonld attack them whilst foraging, he must find it
very difficult to bring off his nien without suffering
sev ly. At thi- time the fire horn the enemy ap-
pmached, when Col• ael Quentin countermanded him,
and tiled the regiment to the rear. Th-re were a few
scattered shot b. fore, but Colonel Quentin went away
as soon as the tire iccreasei and grew nearer. The
Colonel neither went nos scat to the detachment fo-
raog in the valley, althoughit was evident that it I
WAS there the firing took place. The troops foraging
/night be about hail a"mile in advance, when the Cu.
Unel filed the regiment, to the tear. The fire resem-
bled the irregular tire off' infantry ; it was not what
he mid exit-a heavy fire. but rapid in its succession.
Colonel Queetie placedhimself at the bead of the
retreating line, and marched up the hill to the rear.
The witness remained with his troop a abort time,
and got sufficient forage for one day for thirty horses.
The forage sf as indifferent,. a mixture of straw and
bay. •
tierjeant Wells was rest called, and stated that he
had acted as Adjutant to the regiment, in the valley
of Macoy,, on the 10th of January last. • There were
five mets andlonr horses lost that day.
Brigade-Major Jones was egain called, and ders-
est to the following effect :—He was near the regi-
. meht of the 10th' Hnisars, on the 10th of January,
and vas pining along ;he front of the posts, when a
Serjeint mid him. that either two or three troops of
. the resident had received orders to forage in the
valley. Helmer that they were afterwards attack-
ed by theYrench piquets, who descended from the
'opposite hill. On hearing their fire upon the troops
of theloth, he rode off to the nearest infantry posts,
inaarder, to procure them assistance. On his way he
• inel colon l Keane, who moved a detachment of in-
fantry to their, support. A report was sent to him
tilt next meriting as Brigade,Major, and another by
Colonel Quentin to Lord Edward Somerset. He
equired.of the'Serjeant of the piquet stationed at the
church in the valley, which way the 10th Hussars
were gone ? and was informed, that Colonel Quentin
with two scluadrons had prOceeded to the rear up the
till; and that Colonel Quentin had said, he was
afraid he had lost some of the foragers.
The JUDGE ADVOCATE here observed, that what the
witness had heard others say, was not evidence that!
could be received.
Major Jones then resumed.—He saw Colonel Quen-
tin an hour or two afterwards, and told him that he
came to enquire into the state of his regiment, in con-
sequence of what had passed bet Ween him and the
serjeant. Colonel Quentin replied, he had only lost
* few men and horses, and that the troops had escap-
ed from the valley. He was nqt then aware that
there had been no covering party, as an order to this
effect had been issued by General Murillo. It was
hardly possible for him to say, that it was the want
of this precaution that was the cause of the loss which
was sustained, but he thought it highly probable that
it would have prevented the enemy's attack. A chain
of infantry might have afforded effectual security,
but the ground was such that against infantry caval-
ry was of no use. Such a precaution would have un-
deubtedly prevented the possibility of a surprise. The
Douai was such that 19.0 men might have kept a
eel y large force in check, it was probable that the
enemy was induced to Mate the attack by the strag-
gling and defenceless appearance of the troops em-
ployed in foraging ; but the thickness of the fog in-
tercepted an accurate observation. He did not know
what was the loss of the Spaniards, but he had heard
it *as trifling. By desire of Lord Edward Somerset,
be wrote a few days afterwards, a letter of instructions
to Colonel Quentin, the entry and copy of which he
could produce.
Colonel Quentin was then asked, whether he ad-
mitted the receipt of this letter, and answered in the
pegative.
Major Jones then proved that his entry was a true
copy, and written with his own hand. He sent it to
Colonel Quentin by an orderly, and had no doubt that
it was received. It was usual for him to obtain re-
ceipts for letters, but his book of receipts had been
lost, anij he could not now recollect positively whe-
ther he got a receipt for the letter in question, from
Colonel Quentin or not. The letter was then read. It
referred, by the command of Lord Edward Somerset.
the Colonel of the 101 Hussars, in consequence of
what had happened, to the brigade orders, and col-
tained further instructions relative to the precautionsl
to be in future observed by Colonel Quentin on send-
ing oat foraging detachments. Witness could not re-
collect (on cross-examination), whether the loth Hus-
sars foraged afterwards in Macoy or not. Recollected
Colonel Pallier applying for permission to forage
there, and Lord Edward Somerset saying he had the
order.

TUESDAY—THY SECOND DAY.
.Serjeant Merchant.—" I recollect that on the 10th l
Of-January, the remainder of the regiment Was sta.
ti§ned opposite to the church at Macoy, while a part
was foragini; 1 could see the troops foraging : the
firing began just before we came to the church : we
ware within range of the shot ; I saw the French come
dowh the hill, and afterwards saw them and the Spa-
'olqtiet firing sharply at each other: Colonel
Quentin pasted me once or twiceat this tiine, looking
toads the enemy : I could see part of our men en.'
gaged: The firing was small shot, very quick but no
volley ; Colonel Quentin ordered the regiment to file
to the rear 'up the hill : the foragers went on : the
foraging party was skirmishing at the time, when the
rriain body was ordered to file to the rear.
Serjeant Hodges.—" I recollect the main body of
the regiment being stationed opposite the church of
Macoy, while ill, foraging party was in the valley :
the firing began while the foraging was going ;
was the troop of Captain Fitzclarence which I saw!
foraging : I saw the Freed) come down the hill to',
attack the foragers, but did not see the foragers en.'
gaged ;- I was distant from them about a quarter of
a mile; at the time of the firing Colonel Quentin or-
dered the regiment to file to the re-4r 1 was in the
rear': Colonel Quentin placed himself in the front."
queitioad by the Court.—The regiment marched
*bowl:Ivo miles before it stopped: he did not know
When the furag ng party joined : when they filed to
the rear, foragers were left behind.
• 'Serjeant r, of the 15th hnssars, was then called
I was serjeanCof the picquet at the church of Macoy
on the 10th of January : I remember the troops of
the 10th regitnineretreating past my picquet : 1 saw
Colsnel 'Quentin at tin Ladd of these, uoops : 1 heard

him say, he was doubtful of the squadron in the Tal-1
ley, and was fearful of its being taken. I reported
[what he said to Br' zAde.Major Jones. I did not see
[ the foragers attacked : I saw the attack on the Spa-
nish piquet.
The prosecutor (Colonel Palmer) here announced,
that the evidence on the first charze was now finished.
Before he proceeded to the second, he must say A few.
words on the absence of one whom he considered as
a material witness : he meant the Duke de Gulthe,
who had lately been senior C iptain of the regiment.
(The statement, however, of Colonel Palmer, and the
answer of the JUDGE ADy.,CATE in this point, have
already appeared in THE STAR, 19;h instant.)
Colonel Elley was then called. I was Assistant.
Adjuzant-General to the army in the Peninsula du-
ring_seven campaigns up to this year : 1 recollect the
10th hussars forming the advance of the centre co-
lumn the morning after the battle of Oahe': their
duty was to push the rear of the tnemy with as much
celerity as possible : they were in pursuit of the main
column of the enemy. Lord Wellington was • with
the centre column: I was with him at one perioi of
the morning, and conveyed orders from him to the
Lieutenant-General commanding the cavalry, to press
the enemy as much as possible to pievent their des-
truction of several small bridges en the high road.—
From the experience which I have had of cavalry ser-
vice, I am of opinion, that the greatest energy, acti.
vity and zeal, are necessary iii the commauding tap
cer of light troops.
Colonel Palmer here asked the witness what was.
the proper post for a commanding officer, when a re- ,
giment was advancing upon an enemy
The Attics ADVOUATE submitted to the Court whe-
ther this question was not too general : it was a mi-
ter of opinion on which the Court were themsetves
competent to judge without the opinion of the wit-
ness, especially as the:e were several cavalry officers

pros` %t.
Colonel Palmer said, that if such was the feeling
of the Court, he must submit, though with great re-
luctance ; because he conceived that Colonel Elley,
from his great experience, having been in every battle
on the continent, was the person most peculiarly com-
petent to give a judgment on the subject in question.
Colonel Elley then withdrew.
Lieutenant Eversfield.--" 1 was with the regiment
the day after the battle of Orthes : I was with the
advanced guard : on proceeding forward I observed
the enemy superintending some peasants who were
destroying a bridge : Sir Stapleton Cotton came up,
and ordered some guns to be brought forward, and
fired upon them, which dispersed them : Sir Staple-
ton Cotton and myself then crossed the river, and I
was ordered to go forward and reconnoitre : I pro-
ceeded, and saw at a distance the rear squadron of
the enemy forming, with their skirmishers thrown
out. I sent back to the main body to report, and for
a reinforeiment, as I had but two or three men with
me : a reinforcement of about ten men came up, and
we skirmished with the enemy for about half an hour.
I was there joined by Colonel Palmer alone, and we
went on, pushing the enemy as well as we could.—
Captain Harding came np with an order to charge
the enemy : the supporting body was then trotting
up quick pace with Colonel Quentin : the enemy at
that time seeing our intentiou, called in their skir-
mishers, and trotted off. The advanced body ten
consisted cif Colonet Palmer, Captain Harding, Ma-.
Fitzgerald, Captain Fitzclarence, myself. and five or
six men ; we were between fifty and a bundled yards
a head of our supporting squadron. The enemy was
distant about two hundred yards. The enemy was
formed again, and we advanced upon them : 1
looked back awl. saw Colonel Quentin, and heard
him say to hiss:-I,ladron, " nut so fast : trot, trot."
At this time we in advance were galloping, and
coming up fast with the enemy : we halted, and then
charged, under the command of Colonel Palmer: at
the time that our swords clashed, the suppot ting bJdy
was within twenty-five yards : the enemy went about
and then the supporting body joined. Colonel Pal-
mer had directed them to keep as well dressed as
possible, and to form as good a line as they could
previous to the charge ; this order must have been
heard by Colonel Quentin. It appeared to me that
the men in advance wanted support : the men with
Colonel Quentin did not join till alter" the shock,
which had given them time to come up.
Captain Harding was next examined.—" I was
with my troop the day after the battle of Ortbes : we
continued advancing in support of the skirmishers,
who were engaged with the enemy ; in a short time
the order was gooey to attack, in pursuance of which
I was desired by Colonel Quentin to go forward and
call in the skirmishers ; I communicated this order to
Colonel Palmer. This gave time to the supporting
body to come up. We then advanced at a brisk trot,
and afterwards broke into a slow gallop; when we
were within about 100 yards of the enemy, I heard
Colonel Quentin call to the men to keep their horses
in hand, or words to that effect. At this moment I
thought it right to go and join those in advance. I
did so, and saw nothing more of Colonel Quentin.—
When within a short distance of the enemy, I looked
back, and was surprised to find the supporting body
was not near us. Colonel Quentin was with the sup-
porting body. I recollect that before I joined-the
advance, Colonel Palmer sent a message to Colonel
Quentin for support ; I observed once or twice to
olonel Quentin that the supporting body was too far
trom the skirmishers. 1 recollect that when I joined
Colonel Palmer, he asked me why I did not keep
closer with the supporting body ? I answered; that
is was not my fault, I was not in command. The
enemy formed, and met our charge; I was wounded,
and compelled to go to the rear. At the time of the
charge, the supporting body was distant about 20
yards.
Lieutenant Fitzclarence was next called.—" I be-
longed to Captain Harding's troop, and was in the
left flank skirmishing. I saw the.skirmishers called
in, and joined with them. At this time Colonel
Quentin was at the head of the squadron - we broke
into a gallop and advanced. I then heard Colonel
9oentin call out • Don't blow your horses ; trot, trot.'
The enemy fired their pistols ; 1 heard a noise in the
rear ; I looked back, and saw not far off a grey horse
' falling ; I saw Colonel Qnintin rein in his I se, and
the division broke and opened to pass hitn. I then
joined the skirmishers with. Colonel Palmer, and we
charged and pursued the enemy some way. Colonel
Palmer soon alter asked the men if they were ready
for another charge ? they said yes. Colonel Palmer
then charged again, and took some men and horses.

I waa diets sent by Colonel Palmer with a message
to Colonel Quentin. I rode up to the squadron with
which and hallowed to him as load as I
could,
6 Colonel Quentin, Colonel Palmer wants you
in the front.' then galloped back, being apprehen-
sive that the men might be engaged again. There
was no officer to command Captain Harding's troop,
he
was,
he being wounded. The enemy were still formed,
but the centre squadron advancing. and snore shot
being fired by the horse artillery who had come up,
the enemy went about, and retired. To the belt of
my knowledge Colonel Quentin did not join Colonel
in consequence of the message : had he join-
ed,Pabrieagrreater impression might have been made on
the enemy. Lord Ed. Somerset was on the ground,
and, I believe, gave the order for the centre squadron
to advance, and the guns to play."
Major Jones was called to prove the distance
(about five miles) from Cambo.
Lieutenant Beauchamp was Aide-de-Camp to Sir
Stapleton Cotton, on the 28th of February. Re-
membered the 10th /Intim: charging the enemy one
that day. Colonel Palmer was at the head of the
charging column. The enemy received the charge,
and several sabre-cuts were exchanged, after which
the French cavalry went about. They were fol-
lowed to their support, and some men and horses
were taken. After the enemy was thus driven, seeing
no support of the 10th following, he returned to bring
it up. In his way he met General Cotton. He was
with Colonel Palmer when his charge had reached a
csansiderable distance ; and he observed, that as the
French were much superior, he must suffer greatly
should they charge, which they were about to do.
Colonel Palmer, however, rode up, and received the
enemy's attack, which induced him to go hack lat.
mediately, in order to bring up the supporting squa-
dron. He did not know whether Colonel Palmer de-
sired him to do so, but he knew it to be his wish.
Serjeant Macey was orderly to Colonel Quentin on
the 28th. Remembered the regiment meeting the
French cavalry on the road. Saw Colonel Quentin
in front of the division when the first squadron was
riding down to charge the enemy. He passed Colo-
nel Quentin upon the charge, when about twenty of
thirty yards from the enemy. The reason of his
passing the Colonel was his horse went faster than
the Colonel's mare, which appeared to be blown.—
Colonel Quentin said nothing to him as he passed.—
They were then about a dozen yards behind the skir-
mishers. Many of the horses were blown and obliged
to fall behind : heard Colonel Quentin say to the men
•.••46 don't blow your horses." Did not hear Colonel
Quentin answer to Colonel Palmer's inquiries, but saw
him on the ground soon after. He came up with the
supporting squadron on the second attempt to charge.
Serjeant Hodges recollected the charge on the high
road, on the 28th of February ; he belonged, as su-
pernumerary, to Captain Harding's troop, and was
in the rear of the front division. When they first ad-
vanced, Colonel Quentin was at the head of the lead-
ing division, but not afterwards.
Serjeant Kempt remembered the charge. He was
stationed in rear of the second division. He passed
Colonel Quentin about fifty yards before they reached
the enemy. He said, "go on my boys, go on."
Serjeant Stoner did reit remember to have seen Co-
lonel Quentin when riding down with the front divi-
sion to charge. He remembered the division forming
second time under Colonel Palmer. Colonel Pal-
mer asked the men if their horses were ready for an-
other charge and they answered " yes." Did not
hear any enquiry made for Colonel Quentin, nor the
word passed to the rear for him. Did not see Colo-
nel Quentin when Colonel Palmer led on the men a
s, coni time.
Serjeant Hodges ag•lin called. Colonel Quentin
was not with the leading division when they ap-
proached the enemy : was himself on the left of the
front division : passed Colonel Quentin on the charge
about fifty yards distance from the enemy. Ile was
gallopping when he passed him : the troop was then
in good condition, and the horses full of corn ; Colo-
nel Quen:in's horse seemed to him in very go-d Con-
dition : never saw Colonel Quentin's horses other-
wise ; could not say whether Colonel Qiientin's horses
were not Sometimes in good condition when most of
the other horses were out of condition. As he passed
Colonel Quentin, heard him say—" go on, my dear
boys." Did not see any horses blown, but one horse
fell, and caused a break in the division. They were
not gallopping so hard before they passed Colonel'
Quentin as afterwards : they mended their pace on
Colonel Quentin addressing them.
Private Earl was on the road when the charge took
place. He passed Colonel Quentin within half a
horse's length. Coloi:el Quentin was on the trot when
he passed him : his horse did not appear distressed.'
Witness's horse was on the full gallop could not
say whether other horses were distressed. Colonel
Quentin said as he passed him—" Let your horses
go, don't spare them." Could not recollect how long
they had been gallopping, but a considerable time :
did not recollect the division opening to let Colonel
Quentin pass.
Private Williams said, he passed Colonel Quentin
in the charge oil the 28th, who desired them not tol
spare their horses. They were then going very fast ;
be continued in the charge till he was wounded. He
could not say whether Colonel Quentin's horse was
blown, but he did not observe that his horse appeared
distressed.
Serjeant Shadwell acted as Serjeant-Major on the
day in question. There were 18 prisoners besides
horses taken that day. He was in the rear on the
advance, and observed no horses in bad condition or
falling back. He passed Colonel Quentin in front of
the second division, and came up to the first, which
was then in action. He assisted in taking back the
prisoners; and returning again, passed the second di-
vision.
Captain Fitzgerald commanded the skirmishers in
advance on the 28th February. On the high road
he received a volley, but remained till he observed
the main body of the French cavalry advancing
at a gallop. He then looked back to see how he
was supported, and saw Captain the Duke of Guiches
at the head of the centre squadron, waving his
sword, and telling the men " to look to him, he was
their Captain." He then joined his division with the
skirmishers, The French seeing this pulled short up,
threw out their skirmishers, and retired. He coin.
:minded the skirmishers of
constantly till
second division, and
was with them till they joined the division.
He saw nothing of Colonel Quentin.
• Captain Stuff ncollected she Count de Gram-
. • .

mom's squadrne being
Hod to
is own troop beer Cogapt-i
loel to
Harding was wounded.
the volley fr-m the
that squadron. He rem-mbered •
order r etire alter
leading division had put
the front to the rear after the h d
the
about. He did not know who gave t eor er
centre squadron to advance, bat believed it was Lord
French infantry. Colonel Quentin passe. him trona
Edward SOsnerset, who was present.
wenerso*Y.--THlan
Lieutenant Fitzclarance was called, and clues.
toned as to the state of Colonel Quentin's horse,
whether it was blown ? No ; the horse seemed
to be pressing forward ; our horses had been but all
night: those of Colonel Quentin had not. Our
horses had moved five or six leagues before the
charge, and yet we were able to drive the enens%
three-quarters of s mile, or more."
Captain Lloyd deposed as follows —44 I saw the
Q
: I thnught it was
goin
s:reandartgeon becoginionel Quentin was then in front •
going
of the leading division. 1 immediately gallopped
up as fast as I could to swop
,to
support this division. I did
not overtake it till after the charge. On coming :up,
I went to the front, and Colonel Palmer asken •ne
if the horses were blown ? I replied, no. He' then
pu.t the same question to the men ; they said, no s
and waved their swords, and seemed anxious to go
on. I do not recollect whether Colonel Quentin
pissed me as I was riding up to the front. The
Colonel rode a large brown mare that day : she was
in excellent working condition. I remember the
leading. division of the centre squrciron receiving s
volley from infantry. The last time I saw Colonel
Quentin, he was at the head of the division which I
passed with my division. When the volley was
fired, Colonel Quentin rode up to me, and told me
to face the enemy. He then passed me, and I,
seeing the enemy coming, ordered my division to
lice the enemy. I did not again see Colonel Quin.
tin, who went to the rear."
Captain Harding. was called; and examined as to
tho state of Colonel Quentin's horse. " 6 His horse, •
when I left him to join the advanced body, was not
at all distressed. I had been with Colonel Quentin
a great part of the day previously : I think tie rode
a brown mare. Ido not remember what mimed
to me as the reason for the supporting body not
coming up, but I was much surprised ; but. being
wounded, I did not reflect much on the circum-
stances till afterwards."
Lieutenant Eversfield." When I looked back,
Colonel Quentin's horse did not appear to be dis.
tressed: he seemed to have him in hand. I thought
the men with Colonel Quentin did not come on so
fast as they might have done; I made no observa.
tion upon it, though Mr. Fitzclarenci did. I con.
ceived that the men were kept back by Colonel
Quentin, and not at their own wish. I recollect the
excellent behoviour of the men in the affair at Mo.
ram On that day,,Major Robarts commanded the
regiment, and was promoted to be Colour!, in cone
sequence of the charge at that place."
The Juno:-ADVOCATE here interposed be said it
could hardly be necessary to pursue this part of the
evidence ; it must now clearly appear that the men
had behaved most gallantly, and no mind could be
so distorted as to think otherwise.
Colonel Palmer thoht it very important that the .
men should understand that no blame attached to
them.
An Horiatlrable Member of the Court observed,
that this matter had surely been set at rest I. oto
evidence of Captain Lloyd, who bad depose -
the men were Waving their swords, and were •
to engage. •
Lieutenant Eversfield continued so-0404'w - •
(now General) also charged et the head te the i.et
dron on the 2d of January : the horses the n a too-
in such good condition as after the battle ot-Oraiet."
L;eutenant Seymour.--46 I was with the sets spia-
droo at the time a volley was fired into the centre
squadron. I saw the division pot about, and Colonel
Quentin oo the left dank ut the leading division ut
the second squadron giving orders."
Colonel Palmer hate pressed very much to be all 'w-
ed to call in Colonel Elley, in oilier to ask an officer
of his experience, wltat was the proper post of the
Commanding Officer of a cavalry regiment, when a
coluion was in advance upon an toothy ?
The Counr suggested that the questi-n should be.
44 Wurere would you go to And tbe Commanding.
Officer, if you had orders to communicate r'
The Jueox-Anvocote said, that the question had
now taken something like a specific shape, and might
be allowed.
Colonel Elley was then called in.
Colonel Palmer.--o As you hive been so many
years a cavalry officer, and hove seen so much ser-
vice, where would you expect to find the Commander
of a cavalry regiment when it was advancing upon
the enemy, if you had orders for him ?"
Cnioliel Elley. —" Had I orders to deliver, I should
expect to find the Commanding-Offices with the lead-
ing squadron."
Colonel Palmer.--,‘ Why ?"
Colonel Elley.—" 1 conceive that the good of the
service requirerut, in order that lie may personally
observe the good conduct of his corps, and be ready
in an instant to take advantage of tht enemy, by an
attack if an opeortunity should offer."
Colonel Palmer.—" When a colionn is retreating.
and the enemy pressing, what is the post where you
would go to find the Commanding Officer ?"
Colonel Elley.mmA I have ever considered the post
of an officer in command of a regnnent, to be with
that squadron which is nearest the enemy : the rea-
son I have already stated. I had a distant view of
-the charge made by the 10th, but could not distin-
guish individual officers. The charge did not appear
to me to be so long as to fatigue the horses."
Here the evidence on the second charge was closed,
and the third charge was read. l'o support it,
Captain Piteclarence was called, and deposed as
follows I was with the regiment on the day ot
the battle of Tholouse : we were opposed to a body
of French cavalry, and orders were given to chaip--
We advanced and formed divisions, and went to tilt
charge. When we came within a hundred yard', the
French went. about. We followed but did not over.
take them, as we were suddenly checked by a heavy
tire from the enemy's infantry. We halted. At the
moment of the fire, I looked for the commanding of-
ficer, Colonel Quentin, and could not see loin :
consequence of Isis absence, Major Howard took the
command t he asked me What we should do now ?'
I answered, 4 We must do as well as we ‘412; 70ti