The great Napoleonic battles like Austerlitz, Borodino or Waterloo were grand affairs fought by tens of thousands across wide open spaces with artillery blazing and cavalry charging. The army organisation and tactics of the time did not lend themselves to street-by-street fighting so the Battle of Fuentes d\u2019Onoro, fought on 3-5th May 1811 through the narrow streets of the Spanish village that bears the name, was an exception. It was a battle in which the 79th Cameron Highlanders were to engage in brutal street-by-street fighting the like of which the regiment would not experience again until Kohima, in northeast India, 133 years later.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of 1811 the French army had been all but ejected from Portugal, their one remaining stronghold being the fortress town of Almeida. Wellington knew that before he could mount a campaign in Spain, Almeida had to be taken and so had besieged the town in January. The French commander Marshal Massena, knowing that Almeida was on the point of surrender, gathered his 48,000 strong army to come to their relief and began marching westwards from Cuidad Rodrigo in Spain. Directly in that line of march was the sleepy little village of Fuentes de O\u00f1oro (also known as Fuentes d’Onoro), and holding that was the very much wide-awake Light Companies of the 1st and 3rd Divisions of Wellington\u2019s army. On 3rd May, Massena began his attack and the Historical Record of the Cameron Highlanders reports:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%90%%” icon_color=”#001a5b” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”|100px||100px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|30px||30px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\u201cThis village, which is situated in a valley with several detached buildings upon high ground at its upper extremity, was entrusted to the 71st and 79th Highlanders, with the 24th Regiment and several Light Companies in support, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Philips Cameron of the 79th. The enemy, advancing in great force, succeeded from time to time in gaining possession of portions of the village, but after a succession of most bloody hand-to-hand encounters he was completely driven from it by nightfall, when darkness put an end to the conflict. The various light companies were withdrawn, the 24th, 71st and 79th remaining in occupation of the village\u201d.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-3px|||” custom_padding=”0px||18px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”78%” custom_padding=”3px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/newversion\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Church-of-Fuentes-dOnoro-79th-were-pusshed-back-to-and-rallied-where-the-small-monument-stands-1.jpg” alt=”Church of Fuentes d’Onoro 79th were pushed back to and rallied where the small monument stands – image courtesy of Craig Durham” title_text=”Church of Fuentes d’Onoro 79th were pushed back to and rallied where the small monument stands – image courtesy of Craig Durham” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||50px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”22px||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
After a day spent consolidating his forces, on 5th May Massena resumed the attack, once again concentrating on Fuentes de O\u00f1oro. The Cameron record continues:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%90%%” icon_color=”#001a5b” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”|100px||100px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|30px||30px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\u201cHere the most desperate fighting occurred, yet notwithstanding the fact that the whole Sixth French Corps was employed in the attack, the enemy never succeeded in gaining more than temporary possession of the village. Its lower portion, however, was completely carried, two companies of the 79th which had become separated in the struggle from the main body being surrounded, overpowered and made prisoners. To the upper and larger portion of the village, however, our men clung tenaciously, a fierce hand-to-hand fight being maintained with the French Imperial Guard, the elite of Napoleons army, the Highlanders in many instances clubbing their muskets and using butts instead of their bayonets. During this close and deadly strife, a French soldier was observed to step into a doorway and take deliberate aim at Colonel Cameron, who fell from his horse mortally wounded. A cry of grief and rage arose from the Highlanders who called in Gaelic to their comrades of the 71st \u201cThuit an Camshronach\u201d (Cameron has fallen), and the two Highland regiments, supported by the 88th Connaught Rangers and the 74th Highlanders, who had arrived as reinforcements, hurled themselves upon the French… The onslaught was terrific, the French being driven with great slaughter out of the village: after which the Highlanders were withdrawn, their place being taken at Fuentes D\u2019Onor by a brigade of the Light Division\u201d<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”78%” custom_padding=”3px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/newversion\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Narrow-streets-of-Fuentes-dOnoro-along-which-the-79th-fought-1.jpg” alt=”Narrow streets of Fuentes d’Onoro along which the 79th fought – image courtesy of Craig Durham” title_text=”Narrow streets of Fuentes d’Onoro along which the 79th fought – image courtesy of Craig Durham” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||34px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”20px||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
The regiment received a special commendation from Lord Wellington as recorded in this letter written by his military secretary, Fitzroy Somerset, in the days after:<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%90%%” icon_color=”#001a5b” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”|100px||100px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|30px||30px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\u201c Villa Formosa, 8th May 1811: SIR\u00a0\u2013 I am directed by Lord Wellington to acquaint you that he will have great pleasure in submitting to the Commander-in-Chief, for a commission, the name of any non-commissioned officer of the 79th Regiment whom you may recommend, as his Lordship is anxious to mark his sense of the conduct of the 79th during the engagement with the enemy. I have the honour to be etc. (Signed) FITZROY SOMERSET\u201d<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”78%” custom_padding=”3px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/newversion\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Church-of-Fuentes-dOnoro-79th-were-pusshed-back-to-and-rallied-where-the-small-monument-stands-1.jpg” alt=”Church of Fuentes d’Onoro 79th were pusshed back to and rallied where the small monument stands – image courtesy of Craig Durham” title_text=”Church of Fuentes d’Onoro 79th were pusshed back to and rallied where the small monument stands – image courtesy of Craig Durham” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||34px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Sergeant Donald McIntosh received his commission as an ensign in the 88th as a result.<\/p>\n
In Massena\u2019s despatch to his War Minister, he also singled out the Highlanders courage, writing \u201cThey (the British) lost 500 prisoners and had more than 800 killed, among whom are many officers and Scots\u201d He would have known this from the Highland dress worn by those soldiers.<\/p>\n
Sir Walter Scott in his poem \u201cVision of Don Roderick\u201d, written in June 1811 to honour Wellington\u2019s Peninsular victories and to raise funds for the campaign, alludes to the circumstances of the Colonel Cameron\u2019s death in the following lines…<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%90%%” icon_color=”#001a5b” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”|100px|46px|100px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|30px||30px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\u201cAnd what avails thee that, for Cameron slain,<\/p>\n
Wild from his plaided ranks the yell was given \u2013<\/p>\n
Vengeance and grief gave mountain-rage the rein,<\/p>\n
And, at the bloody spearpoint headlong driven,<\/p>\n
Thy Despot\u2019s giant guards fled like the rack of heaven\u201d<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/newversion\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/20211006_134017844_iOS.jpg” alt=”Watercolour by Harry Payne of Colonel Philips Cameron at Juentes d’Onor at Fuentes de O\u00f1oro – The Highlanders’ Museum” title_text=”Watercolour by Harry Payne of Colonel Philips Cameron at Juentes d’Onor at Fuentes de O\u00f1oro – The Highlanders’ Museum” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||22px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” link_text_color=”#b89632″ header_3_font=”|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”27px” header_3_letter_spacing=”2px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”39px||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
More recently the battle has been recounted in Bernard Cornwall\u2019s novel \u201cSharpe\u2019s Battle\u201d, in which the eponymous hero leads the Real Compania Irlandesa, a fictitious representation of the real Irish 88th Connaught Rangers, in the final rout of the French as they are driven back across the Dos Casas. A great tale with more poetic licence than even Scott himself would admit to.<\/p>\n
By Craig Durham, Volunteer at The Highlanders’ Museum (Queen’s Own Highlanders Collection)<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ background_color=”#1C3377″ custom_margin=”42px||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|0px|40px|0px|true|false” top_divider_style=”arrow2″ top_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” top_divider_height=”32px” bottom_divider_height=”32px” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.10.6″ custom_padding=”25px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.6″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font=”Barlow Semi Condensed|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”55px” header_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font=”Barlow Semi Condensed||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”35px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Barlow Semi Condensed||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”25px” header_3_letter_spacing=”1.2px” header_3_line_height=”1.7em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Uncover the story of the 79th Camerons at Fuentes de O\u00f1oro, a street-by-street fight that they would not experience again until Kohima, 133 years later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31091\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehighlandersmuseum.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}ENJOYED READING THIS BLOG POST? DISCOVER EVEN MORE AMAZING STORIES…<\/h3>\n
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