This success was followed by the siege of the strong fortress of _Badajoz_, situated on a beautiful plain on the Guadiana,--a noble river five hundred yards broad; and the ROYAL FUSILIERS were employed in this service. Marshal Soult, who had retired after the capture of this fortress in March, quitted Seville, and, assembling a powerful force, advanced to its relief. The allied army turned the siege into a blockade, and moving forward to meet the advancing foe, took up a position at _Albuhera_. The ROYAL FUSILIERS formed part of the blockading force, but were subsequently ordered to join the army; and they arrived in position about nine o'clock on the morning of the 16th of May, at the moment when the French were advancing to commence one of the most obstinate and sanguinary actions in which British troops were ever engaged. The FUSILIER BRIGADE, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir WILLIAM MYERS, of the SEVENTH, was ordered to form in an oblique line behind the right; the first battalion of the SEVENTH was commanded by Major John Mervin Nooth, and the second by Lieut.-Colonel Edward Blakeney. Being favoured by a height which the allies had neglected to occupy, the French commander concentrated behind it fifteen thousand men and forty guns, within ten minutes' march of the right wing of the allied army, without his opponent's knowledge; at the same time he extended the remainder of his forces along the woody banks of the Feria, towards its confluence with the Albuhera. A little before nine on the morning of the 16th of May, these troops issued from the woods in one massive column, supported by a second, flanked by cavalry and preceded by artillery, and attacked the bridge, where they met with a formidable resistance. The British general, anticipating the principal effort would be against his right, directed the Spaniards under General Blake to change front, and the second division to support them: but the Spanish general delaying to execute the movement, the enemy was among his troops before they were completely formed. A destructive cannonade, a heavy fire of musketry, and the approach of some French squadrons menacing to charge, put the Spaniards into disorder, and they fell back fighting. The French columns pushed forward; their reserves mounted the heights in their rear, and their batteries were brought into line.