The British and Portuguese troops were in line on the ridge of the lofty and precipitous hills of Busaco; in front lay the army of Massena on another range of heights, and the dark mountains were crowned with the bivouac fires of the opposing bands. On the morning of the 27th of September, as the light appeared, the fire of musketry commenced between the advanced posts stationed in the deep hollows which separated the two armies: shortly afterwards the French columns of attack appeared, and throwing forward crowds of skirmishers, they speedily emerged from the hollow beneath, and assailed the British position with that impetuosity which distinguishes the first onset of French soldiers. They were opposed by the unconquerable firmness of British soldiers; the heads of columns were pierced by musketry, and charged with the bayonet; and the formidable masses of veteran Frenchmen were overthrown and driven down the mountain sides with a terrible clamour and confusion, leaving crowds of killed, wounded, and prisoners behind. Being unable to overcome the steady valour of the British infantry, the French commander desisted, and the allied army stood triumphant on the contested heights. The ROYAL FUSILIERS were stationed on a portion of this range of rocks which was not seriously attacked, and their loss was limited to two private soldiers killed, Lieutenant Mair, and twenty-two rank and file wounded. Colonel Pakenham, commanding the brigade, was rewarded with a gold medal. After this vain attempt to force the rocks of Busaco, the French commander made a flank movement to turn the left of his opponent's position; when the allied army withdrew to the lines of _Torres Vedras_, and there opposed a resistance which the French marshal did not attempt to force. While the opposing armies confronted each other, several sharp actions took place between the advanced posts; and on the 13th of October a company of the ROYAL FUSILIERS was ordered to drive back a reconnoitring party of the enemy which had entered the village of _Burlada_, situate between the two armies. This service was performed with distinguished gallantry, and the French were driven back at the point of the bayonet. After searching in vain for a vulnerable part in the British lines, the French commander, instead of driving the English leopards into the sea, retired to the strong position of Santarem; Lord Wellington advanced, and, establishing a series of posts to watch his opponents, placed his army in cantonments.