After a tedious passage from England, Major-General Acland's brigade arrived in a small bay near Peniché, where it landed in the night of the 20th of August, and in a few hours joined the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, in time to share the honours and triumphs of the memorable battle of _Vimiera_. The brigade underwent much fatigue, and suffered some loss; and the General's dispatches bear evidence that it did its duty. After the convention of Cintra, by which Portugal was delivered from the power of France, the QUEEN'S ROYAL crossed to Old Lisbon, and marched to escort prisoners of war from Fort La Lippe. His Majesty has graciously permitted the regiment to bear the word _Vimiera_ on its colours and appointments, in commemoration of its gallantry in that battle. In the autumn, when the army under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore advanced from Lisbon into Spain, the QUEEN'S formed part of Sir John Hope's division, which protected the march of the artillery by the south bank of the Tagus to Talavera de la Reyna, and from thence by the pass of the Guadarrama mountains, to form a junction at Salamanca with the Commander-in-Chief, the same being the only route considered passable for heavy guns. [Sidenote: 1809] Before the British troops were concentrated at Salamanca, the Spanish force which was to have co-operated with them had ceased to exist; it had been attacked, defeated, and dispersed by the French, who had 300,000 men in Spain. Sir John Moore, however, advanced with his army of about 23,000 men, until Bonaparte directed 80,000 veterans with 200 cannon against him: a retreat was immediately commenced. In all the fatigues, distresses, and privations of this memorable winter campaign, the QUEEN'S regiment had its full share, and was brigaded with the 5th, 14th, and 32nd regiments under command of Major-General (now Lord) Hill. This brigade was posted in line on the left of Sir John Moore's position, when that officer fought and defeated the French forces in front of _Corunna_ on the 16th of January, 1809. The glory of the day was clouded by the loss of many brave soldiers, among whom the British army had to lament the death of its gallant commander[29].