"On our retreat through the village, we were met by the 71st Regiment, cheering and led on by Colonel Cadogan, which had been detached from the line to our support. The chase was now turned, and although the French were obstinately intent on keeping their ground, and so eager that many of their cavalry had entered the town and rushed furiously down the streets, all their efforts were in vain; nothing could withstand the charge of the gallant 71st, and in a short time, in spite of all resistance, they cleared the village."
[This regiment (1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry) was always remarkable for its gallantry. The brave Cadogan well knew the art of rendering his men invincible; he knew that the courage of the British soldier is best called forth by associating it with his country, and he also knew how to time the few words which produced such magical effects.]
"We were now once more in possession of the place, but our loss, as well as that of the French, had been very great. In particular places of the village, where a stand had been made, or the shot brought to bear, the slaughter had been immense. The French, enraged at being thus baffled in all their attempts to attack the town, sent forward a force composed of the very flower of their army, but they gained only a temporary advantage, for, being reinforced by the 79th Regiment--although the contest remained doubtful until night--we remained in possession of it, with the exception of a few houses on the rise of the hill at the French side. The light brigade of our division was now withdrawn, and the 71st and 79th Regiments remained as a picquet in it during the night. Next morning it was again occupied as before. On the 4th both sides were busily employed burying the dead and bringing in the wounded, French and English promiscuously mixed, and assisted each other in that melancholy duty, as if they had been intimate friends.... During this day, the French generals reconnoitred our position, and next morning (the 5th), they made a movement to their left with two strong columns. This caused a corresponding movement in our lines, and it was scarcely made, when they attacked our right, composed of the 7th Division, with all their cavalry, and succeeded in turning it, but they were gallantly met by some squadrons of our dragoons, and repulsed. Their columns of infantry still continued to advance on the same point, and were much galled by the heavy fire kept up on them by the 7th Division, but in consequence of this movement, our communication with Sabugal was abandoned for a stronger position, and our army was now formed in two lines, the Light Division and cavalry in reserve. This manoeuvre paralysed their attack on our line, and their efforts were chiefly confined to partial cannonading, and some charges with their cavalry, which were received and repulsed by the 3rd Regiment of Guards in one instance; but, as they were falling back, they did not perceive the charge of a different body of the enemy's cavalry in time to form, and many of them were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Colonel Hill, who commanded the picquets, was among the latter; the 42nd Regiment (The Black Watch) also, under Lord Blantyre, gallantly repulsed another charge made by the enemy's cavalry. The Frenchmen then attempted to push a strong body of light infantry down the ravine to the right of the 1st Division, but they were driven back by some companies of the Guards and 95th Rifles (now the "Rifle Brigade.")