About mid-day on the 28th of July, the numerous artillery of the enemy opened a heavy fire, under the cover of which the columns of attack advanced against the British line. The French bullets smote the ranks of the SIXTY-FIRST with fatal effect, and one shell killed four grenadiers and wounded three others. The French battalions cleared the ravine, and ascended the position in full assurance of victory; but they were received with a general fire of all arms, and charged with bayonets with so much vigour, that they were speedily forced back: the SIXTY-FIRST closed on their adversaries with distinguished gallantry, and following up their first advantage, drove the French beyond the ravine. Having become broken by a rapid advance over rugged ground abounding with obstructions, the regiment re-formed its ranks under a heavy fire. The distinguished conduct of Corporal Rose, on this occasion, was rewarded with the rank of serjeant in the field, and a subsequent display of zeal for the service, procured him a commission. The French were repulsed at all points, and they retired during the night. Major Henry Francis Orpen, Captain Henry James, Lieutenant Daniel James Hemus, one drummer, and forty-two rank and file were killed; Captains Andrew Hartley, William Furnace, James Laing, and David Goodman, Lieutenants Graves Collins, H. T. Tench, George McLean, and James Given, Ensign William Brackenbury, Adjutant Richard Drew, ten serjeants, and one hundred and eighty-three rank and file wounded; sixteen rank and file missing. Lieutenant-Colonel Saunders and Major Coghlan received gold medals; and the royal authority was given for the regiment to bear the word “TALAVERA” on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished conduct on this occasion. At the battle of Talavera full proof was given of the qualities of British soldiers; but the superior numbers which the enemy was afterwards enabled to bring forward, prevented the victory being followed by decisive results, and retrograde movements became necessary. On the advance of the enemy, the Spaniards abandoned Talavera, and the wounded officers and soldiers of the SIXTY-FIRST fell into the hands of the French. During the retreat much suffering was endured from the want of provision, and while the army was in position on the Guadiana, a fever broke out which thinned the ranks. In the autumn the SIXTY-FIRST were gratified, amidst their sufferings and losses, by the arrival of Major Coghlan and Adjutant Drew, who had escaped from prison at Madrid. [Sidenote: 1810] Three hundred men joined from the second battalion in February, 1810, and thus restored the regiment to its former numbers. In April the second battalion proceeded from Guernsey to Ireland.