Marshal Marmont being strengthened by a division from the Asturias, pushed a column across the river on the 16th of July, in consequence of which the troops in Pollos fell back upon Fuente la Pena. On the 18th, it was understood that the enemy's army had passed the Douro at Tordesillas, by which manœuvre the safety of two divisions, and a brigade of cavalry, on the Trebancos, was much endangered, and Major-General Le Marchant's, with two other brigades of cavalry, were quickly moved up to cover their retreat, which was effected with trifling loss. The brigade had entered its bivouac near Canizal, when an order was received for a squadron of the KING'S OWN to proceed to the support of two guns, intended to be placed on the hill above Castrillos. This order was soon increased to the whole regiment, which, on its march, discovered that the enemy was advancing in force, and pressing Major-General Alten's brigade very closely. Major Clowes immediately solicited, and received permission to go to their support, and the regiment accordingly advanced, and though checked by the fire of some French infantry, assisted in driving back the enemy's cavalry; the French infantry continuing to advance were repulsed by Lieut.-General Cole's division, and pursued with great loss. In this affair the regiment sustained the following loss; one serjeant-major, six privates, and four horses killed; lieutenant Branfell, and two privates wounded.[34] On the 19th, the BRIGADE retired to the table land above the villages of Vallesa and El Olmo, and on the 20th, the hostile armies manœuvred within cannon shot of each other, the French moving to their left, and the British to their right. On the 21st the British went into their old position on the heights of St. Christoval, and the French crossed the Tormes at the fords of Alba and Huerta, marching to their left. To oppose this manœuvre, the British crossed the river at _Salamanca_. In the course of this day's manœuvres, Major-General Le Marchant's brigade crossed the river at the ford of Santa Marta three times, and took up its bivouac on the south bank opposite the town. In the course of this night so dreadful a thunder-storm burst upon the British lines, that the horses broke loose; many were lost by running into the French lines, and the remainder could not be secured till daybreak. The KING'S OWN had to send to the rear an officer and sixteen men, severely injured by the horses, which were all linked together, running over them.