The French occupied the town of Arroyos dos Molinos, when, to use Hill's own words, "The 71st and 92nd charged into the town with cheers, and drove the enemy out at the point of the bayonet." Wilson's brigade had been sent round to attack the enemy in the rear, and the 50th (West Kent) supporting the Highlanders, secured the prisoners, whilst the 28th (Gloucesters) and the 34th (Borderers) pursued the flying French until the arrival of the cavalry enabled them to follow up the enemy. One general and 35 other officers, with upwards of 1,000 men, were taken, our total casualties being but 65 of all ranks killed and wounded. On more than one occasion the Gordon Highlanders have applied to be permitted to assume this distinction, but whilst conceding the valuable part they played at Arroyos dos Molinos, the War Office have declined to accede to their request on the plea that the battle honour was conferred on the 34th in lieu of a particoloured pom-pom to their shako. As the present generation of soldiers apply the term "pom-pom" to a man-destroying weapon, and not to the ornament of infantry headgear, and as shakos have been relegated to museums, it might be fitting to reopen the vexed question of this battle honour. CASUALTIES OF THE ACTION OF ARROYOS DOS MOLINOS, OCTOBER 28, 1811. +------------------------+-----------+-----------+ | |_Officers._| _Men._ | | _Regiments._ +-----+-----+-----+-----+ | | K. | W. | K. | W. | +------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+ |9th Lancers | - | - | - | - | |13th Hussars | - | - | - | - | |Royal Artillery | - | - | - | - | |28th Gloucesters | - | - | - | - | |34th Border | - | - | - | - | |50th West Kent | - | - | - | - | |60th King's Roy. Rifles | - | - | - | - | |71st Highland L.I. | - | - | - | - | |92nd Gordon Highlanders | - | 4 | 3 | 7 | +------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+ NOTE.--I have been unable to trace any record of the losses of individual regiments, except in the case of the 92nd. TARIFA, DECEMBER, 1811. This distinction is borne on the colours of the North Lancashire Regiment and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, in recognition of their services in the gallant defence of the fortress of Tarifa in the month of December, 1811. General Skerrett in his despatch drew particular attention to the conduct of the companies of the Rifle Brigade which were also present. The casualty list which I append shows that this battle honour was earned without a great effusion of blood. CASUALTIES AT TARIFA, DECEMBER, 1811.