employed in Portugal, it may be matter of regret, but certainly not of surprise, that it did not form an exception to the general rule. In fact many men were left behind, and some period of repose was necessary to remedy these irregularities, but that repose could not be obtained; for towards the end of June the whole disposable British force was marched into Spain, and on the 27th and 28th of July was fought the battle of TALAVERA DE LA REYNA. The post of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH, on the first day, was in the wood on the river Alberche, and its conduct was much praised by Colonel Donkin, who commanded the brigade. It retired in line under a heavy fire, protecting by its steady front the advanced troops, who were greatly out-numbered by the enemy. During the retreat the soldiers were forbidden to fire unless they could _cover their man_. Corporal Thomas Kelly, of the fourth company, was the first who pulled a trigger; going up to the Adjutant, Lieutenant Stewart, and pointing out a French officer, he said, “Do you see that officer standing by the olive-tree in front of me? He is a dangerous man, and has been giving directions to his soldiers that _won’t sarve us_; four of the company have been hit already, but if you will allow me I think I could _do for him_.” “Try, then, Kelly,” was the reply;—he fired; the French officer fell, and the men, disconcerted by the loss of their leader, ceased to harass the regiment, which continued its retreat through the wood, and took post upon a hill on the left of the allied army, which was the key of the position. The hill was steep and rugged towards the enemy, but on the other side it was of smoother ascent; the French, however, resolved to attack this post. The sun was set, and the shades of night had gathered over the hostile armies, when suddenly a body of French troops was seen advancing boldly to the attack, and in an instant the regiments were engaged in a sharp conflict. Colonel Donkin’s brigade beat the enemy in front, and the Twenty-Ninth Regiment, by a gallant charge, drove back part of the Ninth French Regiment. The enemy returned to the attack; the fighting became vehement; “and in the darkness the opposing flashes of the musketry showed with what a spirit the struggle was maintained: the combatants were scarcely twenty yards asunder, and for a time the event seemed doubtful; but soon the well-known shout of the British soldier was heard, rising above the din of arms, and the enemy’s broken troops were driven once more into the ravine below.”[4] The fighting now ceased; and the bivouac fires blazed up on both sides.