The French army, having been reinforced, and placed under the command of Marshal Marmont, advanced at daybreak on the morning of the 6th of June in two columns, when the light division was directed to retire from Gallegos upon _Nave d'Aver_, and subsequently upon Alfayetes; and the ROYALS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, with a troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, were assembled at Gallegos to cover the retreat. The French brought forward about two thousand cavalry, six thousand infantry, and ten guns; and the ROYALS confronted this immense force with a degree of fortitude and valour seldom equalled.[57] That celebrated French cavalry officer, General Montbrun, manœuvred to outflank the ROYALS; but his squadrons were attacked and defeated twice, and the retreat was effected with little loss. For their distinguished conduct on this occasion the ROYALS were publicly thanked by Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer, who commanded, in the absence of Lord Wellington in Estremadura. They lost on this occasion a troop-serjeant-major, three men, and six horses killed; and nine men wounded. The ROYALS subsequently bivouacked near Sabugal, from whence they proceeded to Arronches, and were encamped at the conflux of the Caya and Algrette: towards the end of July they marched to Idanha a Nova, on the frontiers of Portugal; and in August to Villa de Toura and Iteura. Meanwhile Lord Wellington returned from Estremadura, and afterwards blockaded Ciudad Rodrigo. Marshal Marmont advanced; when his lordship raised the blockade, and took up a defensive position, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted on the 22nd of September on the Upper Azava. A series of attacks and manœuvres followed, and on the 25th the ROYALS were in the position of Fuente Guinaldo: from whence they were ordered to retire on the following day; and on the 27th were posted near Alfayates, with a piquet at _Aldea de Ponte_, which was attacked by the enemy, when Lieutenant Ross had his horse killed under him, and three men and six horses were wounded. On the following day the ROYALS were with the army in position behind Soito; and Lord Wellington offered battle, but the enemy retired, and the allied army went into cantonments. The ROYALS were stationed at Adão; subsequently at Espejo, and towards the end of November marched for Meda. [Sidenote: 1812]