On the above day the KING'S OWN moved towards the north of Portugal, and rejoined the brigade at Braganza, on the 21st of May. On the 24th the brigade was at Tabara, and on the 26th it crossed the Esla at Pozuela. The enemy made no resistance at the passage of the river, and was compelled to abandon the line of the Douro, by Lord Wellington's advance along their rear. The column to which Ponsonby's brigade was attached, was directed on Valencia, and passing through that town, advanced on Burgos. On the 12th of June, the brigade overtook the enemy's rear-guard on the heights of Estepar, when the KING'S OWN were detached to cut off part of the enemy's force, in which the regiment completely succeeded, making its way to the high road from Madrid, throwing the enemy into confusion on Burgos; a squadron of the fourteenth, with a detachment of the KING'S OWN, charging the enemy's rear, captured a gun: the regiment had captain Sitwell and one private wounded, and five horses killed and three wounded. During the night of the 12th, the French blew up the castle of Burgos and retired behind the Ebro, which river the brigade, after marching through a wild and difficult region of deep narrow valleys and rugged defiles, crossed at Puente de Arenas on the 15th. Both armies were concentrated, the British on the river Bayas, and the French on the undulating grounds in the valley of _Vittoria_, where, on the 21st of June, they were attacked by the allied army. The result of this attack was a most decisive victory, the French only carrying from the field two guns; the whole of their immense equipment fell into the hands of the British. Owing to the nature of the field of battle the cavalry could scarcely act,[37] and that _arme_ was principally employed in supporting the infantry, and in the pursuit, which was continued until the enemy had passed Pampeluna. The gallant bearing of the KING'S OWN was rewarded in 1821, with the royal permission to bear the word "VITTORIA" on their guidons. At this period, General Clausel with fifteen thousand men was at Logroño, and of course, was not engaged in the battle; nor was he aware that an engagement had taken place, till he arrived near Vittoria, and found the town in the possession of the British: he then returned to Logroño, and marched upon Tudela, hoping to reach Pampeluna before the British. On the 27th his scheme was discovered, and the Marquis of Wellington detached the cavalry with two divisions of infantry to intercept him. This detached force arrived on the same night at Tafalla and Olieta, and on the next morning advanced upon Tudela, when it was discovered that Clausel, upon receiving intelligence of the force sent against him, had retreated to Saragossa, whence he returned to France by the pass of Jaca, his artillery falling into the hands of the Spanish troops.