HON. FREDERICK CAVENDISH PONSONBY, second son of Frederick third earl of Besborough, was appointed cornet in the tenth dragoons in 1800, and rose in 1803 to the rank of captain in the same corps, from which he exchanged to the sixtieth regiment in 1806. In 1807 he was appointed major in the twenty-third light dragoons, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Talavera in 1809; and in 1810 was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. In 1811 he served under lieutenant-general Graham at Cadiz; and at the battle of Barossa, in March of that year, he attacked, with a squadron of German dragoons, the French cavalry covering the retreat, overthrew them, took two guns, and even attempted, though vainly, to sabre Rousseau's battalions. On the 11th of June, 1811, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth light dragoons; at the head of which corps he served under Lord Wellington, and distinguished himself, in April, 1812, at Llerena, in one of the most brilliant cavalry actions during the war. At the battle of Salamanca he charged the French infantry, broke his sword in the fight, and his horse received several bayonet wounds. He repeatedly evinced great judgment, penetration, and resolution in out-post duty, and was wounded in the retreat from Burgos, on the 13th of October, 1812. At the battle of Vittoria he again distinguished himself: his services at Tolosa, St. Sebastian, and Nive were also conspicuous; and, on the king's birth-day in 1814, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army. He commanded the twelfth light dragoons at the battle of Waterloo, where he led his regiment to the charge with signal intrepidity,--received sabre cuts on both arms,--was brought to the ground by a blow on the head,--pierced through the back by a lancer,--plundered by a tirailleur,--ridden over by two squadrons of cavalry,--and plundered a second time by a Prussian soldier; but afterwards recovered of his wounds. His services were rewarded with the following marks of royal favour:--Knight companion of the order of the Bath,--Knight grand cross of the order of St. Michael and St. George,--Knight commander of the Hanoverian Guelphic order,--a cross,--a Waterloo medal,--Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal,--and Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria. In January, 1824, he was appointed inspecting field-officer in the Ionian islands: he was promoted brigadier-general upon the staff of those islands on the 4th of March, 1824; and in June, 1825, he was advanced to the rank of major-general: he was removed to the staff at Malta, and retained the command of the troops in that island until May, 1835. In 1835 he obtained the colonelcy of the eighty-sixth regiment, from which he was removed to the ROYAL DRAGOONS in the following year. He was an ornament to his profession. In him, military talent was united with the most chivalrous bravery,--calm judgment,--cool decision,--resolute action,--and modest deportment.