'Major-General Ponsonby takes this opportunity of expressing to the brigade the high sense he entertains of their uniformly excellent conduct, both in quarters and in the field. It is a circumstance as gratifying to him, as it is creditable to themselves, that, during the whole period of their service, they have, in no one instance, collectively or individually, incurred animadversion in general orders, and that no individual of the brigade has been brought to a general court-martial. With equal truth the major-general can assert, that upon every occasion which has presented itself of acting against the enemy, either regimentally, or in brigade, they have nobly sustained the superiority of the British cavalry, and fully justified the high opinion repeatedly expressed of them by His Grace the Duke of Wellington. The three regiments[52] will ever have to congratulate themselves on its having fallen to their lot to be in the brigade employed on the 22nd of July, 1812 (battle of Salamanca), in that glorious and effectual charge which contributed in so eminent a degree to decide the fate of the day, and to secure the signal and complete defeat of the French army.' 'The major-general concludes by stating, that he has applied to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent for permission for the three regiments to bear the word "SALAMANCA" on their standards and appointments, and to be styled "Salamanca Regiments."' [39] At York the regiment received the distinction before alluded to in the following letter:-- 'Horse Guards, Nov. 16th, 1814. 'My Lord,--I have the honour to acquaint you, that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name, and on the behalf of His Majesty, has been pleased to approve of the Third, or King's Own Dragoons being permitted to bear on their standards and appointments (in addition to any other badges or devices which have heretofore been permitted to be borne by that regiment) the word "SALAMANCA," in commemoration of the distinguished gallantry displayed by that regiment in the battle fought on the plains of Salamanca on the 22nd of July, 1812. I have the honour to be, &c. 'HENRY CALVERT, Adjt.-General. 'To Lieut.-Col. Lord Charles Manners, } Commanding the Third (King's Own) Dragoons.' } [40] In this year, the regiment received the following letter:-- 'Sir, Horse Guards, 20th September, 1821.