The campaign of 1710 was distinguished by more important events, the two claimants to the throne of Spain heading their armies in person. The enemy was first in the field, and commenced operations with the siege of Balaguer, but retired on the approach of the allied army. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were subsequently encamped on the banks of the Segré; and when King Charles joined the army, they were detached to meet his Majesty and to escort him to the camp. After some manœuvring, Lieutenant-General STANHOPE (afterwards EARL STANHOPE), who commanded the British troops in Spain, being at the head of the leading column of the allied army on the march towards Alfaras, discovered, on the evening of the 27th of July, a body of the enemy's forces in front of the village of _Almanara_, and obtained the King's permission to attack them with the cavalry, of which the ROYAL DRAGOONS had the honour to form part. The sun was declining from the horizon, and the shades of evening were gathering over the valleys of Catalonia, when the British commander led forward his warlike horsemen. Before him appeared twenty-two squadrons of Castilian cavalry, the pride and flower of the Spanish army, with King Philip's life guards on the right; a second line of the same numbers was seen in the rear, and nine battalions of infantry supported the cavalry. Against this force the gallant STANHOPE advanced at the head of Harvey's horse (now second dragoon guards); his front line consisted of sixteen squadrons, with a reserve of six squadrons. The Spaniards came forward to meet their opponents in all the pomp of war, and a noble spectacle presented itself. The foaming squadrons dashed upon each other, but the contest was of short duration. The enemy's left soon gave way,--the Spanish life guards were routed with the loss of a standard and a pair of kettle drums,--their second line fled in confusion,--the infantry were seized with a panic; and STANHOPE'S troopers chased the fugitives from the field with great slaughter, following them among the rocks and dells until the darkness rendered it impossible to distinguish friends from foes. The result of this cavalry action disconcerted the plans of the enemy; King Philip called in his detachments and retired; and the allied army moved forward in pursuit. After following the retiring army many days, sometimes crossing valleys, and at other times traversing wild but beautiful regions among rocks and mountains, and obtaining possession of numerous towns in Arragon, the ROYAL DRAGOONS overtook the enemy's rear-guard in the pass of _Penalva_, on the 15th of August, when a sharp skirmish ensued, and Lieut.-Colonel COLBERG, who commanded the regiment, was wounded and taken prisoner.