"Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton begs Major-General Le Marchant and the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Ponsonby will accept his best thanks, for the gallant and judicious manner in which they commanded their brigades yesterday, and he requests they will make known to the officers commanding regiments, the lieutenant-general's high approbation of their conduct, as well as of the zeal and attention displayed by all ranks. The order which was preserved by the troops in pursuing the enemy, and the quickness with which they formed after every attack, does infinite credit to the commanding officers, and is a convincing proof of the good discipline of the several regiments.
"The Lieutenant-General was very much satisfied with the conduct of the Third and Fourth Dragoons, in supporting the Fifth Dragoon Guards and Major-General Anson's brigade.
"To Lieutenant-Colonel Elley, Sir Stapleton's warmest thanks are due, for the great assistance he derived from the zeal and activity displayed by that officer; and the Lieutenant-General begs that Captain White and Captain Baron Deckan will accept his acknowledgments for the assistance they afforded him yesterday. Sir Stapleton Cotton has only to assure the cavalry that their gallant and regular conduct yesterday has made him, if possible, more proud than ever of the high command entrusted to him.
"Major-General Le Marchant has great satisfaction in conveying to his brigade the approbation and thanks of Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton commanding the cavalry, for their gallant conduct near Llerena on the 11th instant.
"Whilst the Major-General is perfectly satisfied with the zeal shown by every individual of the brigade in the execution of his duty on that occasion, he considers that _the charge made by the_ FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS _deserves his particular admiration and approval, and he requests that_ MAJOR PRESCOTT _and the officers of that corps will accept his best thanks, as well for their services as for the credit which their gallant conduct reflects on the command which he has the honour to hold_.
These orders were forwarded to the depôt of the regiment in England, to be inserted in the records, accompanied by a letter, of which the following is an extract:--