There exists no more pathetic description of the treatment meted out by England to her soldiers, who had, by their gallantry and devotion, rescued Europe from the tyranny of Napoleon, than the words with which Napier brings to a close his stirring account of the long and bloody struggle in the Peninsula. "... The British infantry embarked at Bordeaux, some for America, some for England; the cavalry, marching through France, took shipping at Boulogne. "Thus the war terminated, and with it, all remembrance of the veterans' services. "Yet those veterans had won nineteen pitched battles and innumerable combats; had made or sustained ten sieges and taken four great fortresses; had twice expelled the French from Portugal, once from Spain; had penetrated France, and killed, wounded, or captured 200,000 enemies, leaving of their own number 40,000 dead, whose bones whiten the plains and mountains of the Peninsula." It was not till 1848, _thirty-four_ years after the termination of the war, that the services of the few veterans who then survived was acknowledged by the issue of a medal! CHAPTER XIII _Journal—12th January-21st March 1814_ Is appointed to superintend the telegraph of the Light Division—Visit from brother Maud—Commencement of the campaign of 1814—The 1st Battalion sent to St. Jean-de-Luz for new clothing—Simmons joins the 2nd Battalion—Bayonne invested—The 2nd and 3rd Battalions ford the Gaves—Simmons and some of the 2nd Battalion occupy a house and fire from the windows—Excitement of the lady who owned it—The French peasantry are in great fear of the English, but are soon reassured—Passage of the Gave de Pau—Simmons puts his socks in his cap, as he is certain the Rifles will be sent across the river—Three British Divisions cross by a pontoon bridge. _Battle of Orthez_ The 1st Battalion and the gallant 43rd Light Infantry not present—The 52nd Light Infantry make "a beautiful advance in the face of thousands"—The French driven off the field—The French people treat the British soldiers as friends—The 1st Battalion rejoins the army and Simmons his Battalion—Sharp skirmish by 15th Hussars, supported by some Rifle Men and two six-pounders with French cavalry—Advance resumed. _The Action of Tarbes_ The French occupy a strong position—The three Battalions of Rifles ordered to dislodge them—The French fill a wood with skirmishers, but are driven out—A very stiff fight—Heavy losses—"Never saw Frenchmen so thick on the ground"—Towards evening is severely wounded—Rescued by his servant, Henry Short—Is moved into Tarbes—Brother Maud hears he is wounded and searches for him all night—Finds him and gets him a good billet—Battle of Toulouse—"Is much hurt at not being there." Letter No. XXIII _To his Parents, from Tarbes, France, dated 27th March 1814_