[64] This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir William Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, met his death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting character. When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led the three regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he had been distinguished in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having cut through the first column, he proceeded where the ROYALS were so hotly engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of Polish lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was so soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. He was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the lancers were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he knew, was inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might escape, he drew forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and was in the act of delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed to his family, when the enemy came up and they were both speared upon the spot. [65] Now Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Straton, K.C.H. and C.B., colonel of the eighth royal Irish hussars, who was authorised to take and use the surname of _Straton_, instead of Muter, on the 28th of September, 1816. [66] Major Radclyffe was wounded in the first charge, and taken from the field. He was an excellent swordsman, and had taught many of his men his peculiar method of giving point, and he was afterwards much delighted on being informed that the troopers, by adhering to his instructions, had been signally successful in their attacks. The decease of this gallant and excellent officer, clever man, and good scholar, took place on the 24th of February, 1827: the following is an extract from a periodical work respecting him:--