In the early part of 1811[112] the left wing of the 2nd battalion of the ROYAL Regiment proceeded by forced marches from Hyderabad to Masulipatam, where it joined the right wing, in the expectation of embarking with the expedition commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, against the Dutch island of Java. The battalion mustered 1036 rank and file, and the officers and men panted for an opportunity to signalize themselves; but, to their great regret, the order for their embarkation was countermanded. They remained at Masulipatam until July, when they proceeded to Trichinopoly, a strong city in the Carnatic. [Sidenote: 3rd Batt.] The 3rd battalion remained opposed to the French army in Portugal. Marshal Massena occupied his position at Santarem until his numbers were reduced by sickness and privation, and on the night of the 5th March, 1811, he retreated towards the frontiers. The ROYALS, moving forward with the army, took part in the operations which followed; the French retired into Spain, leaving a garrison in Almeida, which was blockaded by the allies. Having crossed the frontiers, the ROYALS were engaged on the 5th of May at _Fuentes d'Onor_, on which occasion the French Marshal was defeated in his attempt to relieve Almeida. The ROYALS had one serjeant and 8 rank and file wounded in this action.[113] [Sidenote: 1812] This battalion was also before the strong fortress of _Ciudad Rodrigo_, when it was besieged by the allied army in January, 1812, and captured by storm on the 19th of that month. On the 11th of February, 1812, "His Royal Highness the Prince Regent was pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to approve of the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, being in future styled, THE FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR ROYAL SCOTS." From the province of Leon the 3rd battalion marched towards Spanish Estremadura, and was before the city of _Badajoz_ when that fortress was besieged and taken by storm in the month of April; in which service the ROYALS had two officers wounded; namely, Lieutenants Rea and O'Neil, who were attached to the engineer's department. After the capture of Badajoz the battalion proceeded with its division (the 5th) towards Ciudad Rodrigo, and advanced upon Salamanca, which city the French were forced to evacuate in the middle of June. The enemy retreated beyond the Douro, and part of the allied army advanced to Trabancos. The French subsequently re-passed the Douro, when the ROYAL SCOTS, with the remainder of the division, advanced to _Torrecille de la Orden_, to cover the retreat, and insure the junction of the corps in advance. On the 18th of July the French army commanded by Marshal Marmont pushed forward, some sharp skirmishing occurred, and the ROYALS were partially engaged, and had two men wounded. The allied army afterwards retreated, and took up a position on the rocky heights near _Salamanca_.