[Illustration: FIFTH (THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES'S) REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS,
At the Battle of Salamanca, 22nd July, 1812. [_To face page 60._]
The left squadron of the FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS was attached to Major-General Bock's brigade of heavy German cavalry, and sent in pursuit of the wreck of the French army, which retreated by Alba upon Valladolid; the French rear-guard was overtaken about three leagues beyond _Alba de Tormes_, a sharp engagement ensued, and about nine hundred prisoners were captured.
Colonel the Honourable William Ponsonby, of the Fifth Dragoon Guards, having been appointed to the staff of the army, and to the command of the heavy cavalry brigade, issued the following order on the subject:--
"_Camp near Flores de Avila,_ _25th July, 1812._
"His Excellency, the commander of the forces, having been pleased to appoint Colonel Ponsonby to the staff of this army, and to the distinguished honour of commanding this brigade, Major Prescott will be pleased to take upon himself the command of the regiment.
"The FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS well know how highly Colonel Ponsonby has always prized the honour of commanding them; and if the pride he has long felt in the command of a regiment deservedly of such high character admitted of augmentation, its most gallant and glorious achievements in the field, as well as its soldier-like conduct in quarters, since its arrival in this country, could not fail to enhance it. He assures the officers and men of the regiment, that it is now with considerable regret he takes his leave of them as their regimental commanding officer, although in the course of professional promotion; and he requests Major Prescott, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and the whole of the regiment, will accept his warm and sincere thanks for the past, as well as his heartfelt and anxious good wishes for the future. May the Fifth Dragoon Guards long continue to be ranked as second to none in His Majesty's service."
The regiment accompanied the army in the subsequent movements, and in the advance upon the capital of Spain; and it formed part of the personal escort of the Marquis of Wellington when he entered Madrid on the 12th of August; it was formed up at the Segovia-gate, when his lordship received the keys from the municipality. The FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS entered the city amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants, and occupied quarters there until the 18th of August.