After moving from its quarters in the spring of 1709, the regiment was again engaged in active operations. It was first encamped near Estremos, from whence it proceeded on the 23rd of April to Elvas, and was subsequently encamped with the army on the banks of the Caya, where the Earl of Galway, who had been removed from the army in Catalonia, appeared at the head of the British division. On the 7th of May the French and Spaniards, commanded by the Marquis de Bay, marched in the direction of Campo Mayor, when the Portuguese generals, contrary to the advice of the Earl of Galway, resolved to pass the _Caya_ and attack the enemy. The Portuguese cavalry and artillery took the lead, and, having passed the river and gained the opposite heights, opened a sharp cannonade; but upon the advance of their adversaries to charge, these squadrons faced about and galloped out of the field, leaving their cannon behind. The British division, arriving at the moment, repulsed the enemy; and the leading brigade, consisting of the Thirteenth, Stanwix's, and Galway's regiments, commanded by Brigadier-General Thomas Pearce, charging with great fury, recaptured the Portuguese guns; but the three regiments, pressing forward too far, were surrounded and made prisoners, and with them Major-Generals Sankey and the Earl of Barrymore, and Brigadier-General Thomas Pearce, fell into the hands of the enemy[19]. At the same time the FIFTH, Twentieth, Thirty-ninth, and Lord Paston's regiments, though deserted by the whole of the cavalry, made a determined stand, bearing the brunt of the enemy's reiterated attacks with admirable firmness, until the Portuguese infantry had retired; then moving to the rear in firm array--while the balls flew thick on every side, and the Earl of Galway's horse was shot under him,--the enemy coming on in full career, threatening the destruction of this little band; yet, with ranks unbroken and steady tread, these undaunted English calmly retraced their steps--exhibiting one of the most noble spectacles of war,--and occasionally punishing the temerity of their pursuers with a cool and deliberate resolution which laid a thousand Spaniards dead upon the field[20], and impressed the enemy, and also the Portuguese, with a sense of British courage and magnanimity. Thus they effected their retreat, with the loss of only one hundred and fifty men killed and wounded, and passed that night at Arronches. The FIFTH acquired great honour by its signal gallantry on this occasion. It was afterwards encamped at Elvas, was subsequently in position on the banks of the Guadiana, and again passed the winter in cantonments in the Alentejo. [Sidenote: 1710]