On the 9th of July the first battalion embarked at Cork, and landed at Figuiera, in Portugal, on the 1st of August. The battalion under the command of Brevet Colonel Robert Burne, advanced with the troops under Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Arthur Wellesley towards Lisbon. The division, consisting of about four thousand men, under Major-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B., having joined the army from Cadiz, a change was made in the arrangement of the brigades, and the first battalions of the THIRTY-SIXTH, Fortieth, and Seventy-first regiments were placed in that commanded by Major-General Ronald Craufurd Ferguson. After a short halt the army was again put in motion to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some days. On the 17th of August the enemy, commanded by General Laborde, was encountered near _Roleia_. The first battalion under the command of Colonel Robert Burne shared in this action, Captain William Cross being detached in charge of three companies. The position was attacked and carried, with great loss to the French, who retreated on Torres Vedras. The THIRTY-SIXTH subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the word “ROLEIA” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this victory. Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Arthur Wellesley, after this battle, did not pursue the enemy by the high roads, but keeping to the right near the sea marched to _Vimiera_, to cover the landing of a brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, which was effected on the 20th of August. The morning of the 21st of August was given up to the troops in order to prepare and repose themselves. The men were engaged in washing and cleaning their equipments when the approach of the enemy, moving to the left, was discovered at eight o’clock in the morning; and the brigades commanded by Major-General Ferguson, Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, were consequently moved across a valley from the heights on the west to those on the east of Vimiera. Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, moved his army to the attack of the position, and commenced it on the British centre, where the Fiftieth regiment was posted, moving along the front gradually to the left, until the whole line became engaged. [Illustration: THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. BATTLE OF VIMIERA, Aug^t 21^{st} 1808.] The THIRTY-SIXTH had the good fortune to take a distinguished share in the battle of _Vimiera_ on the 21st of August; and the gallantry of the battalion was particularly noticed by Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Arthur Wellesley in the General Orders of that day. The battalion had nine rank and file killed; Captain Paul Minchin Hobart; Lieutenants H. S. Hart, Thomas Wright, and Walter Ewart; Ensign Peter Joseph Bone; Lieutenant and Adjutant John Povah, and twenty-three rank and file, were wounded.