Now! Then! 2025! - Yorkshire On This Day

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Richard Beckett, of the Coldstream Guards, fourth son of the late Sir John Beckett, the first baronet, and brother to Sir Edmund Beckett, Bart. (formerly Denison). He entered the Coldstream Guards, as an ensign, in January 23, 1800; promoted to lieutenant July 16, 1801. He was present at the battles of Abukir, March 8, 1801; expedition to Cuxhaven, 1805; at the battles of Alexandria, March 13, and 21, at Copenhagen, September 7, 1807, in the same year; at the passage of the Douro, May 12, 1809; and at the battle of Talavera, July 28, 1809, where he was killed whilst acting as major of brigade. Captain Beckett met his death in resisting the attack on General Sherbrooke’s division, which was in the left and centre of the British line. This attack was gallantly repulsed by a bayonet charge by the whole division; but the brigade of Guards, which was on the right, having advanced too far, they were exposed on their left flank to the fire of the enemies’ batteries, and of their retiring columns; and the division was obliged to retire towards the original position, under the cover of the second line of General Cotton’s cavalry. Honourable mention was made by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch of 29th July, 1809.

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An absolutist view (Pearson 1813):

On TALAVERA’s plains, in bright array,
The sacred host their awful front display.
The fight begins; nor can the Gallic band
Resist such efforts, or the shock withstand.
But long and doubtful was the bloody strife;
Nor yet, till many chiefs were robb’d of life,
Did SPAIN subdue her foes. That many fell,
The purple waters of ALBERCHE tell;
For thousands perish’d on thy fatal shore,
And stain’d thy currents with lamented gore.
The TAGUS, too, with which ALBERCHE’s flood,
Unites her waters, thus imbued with blood,
Shall, till her streams desert their wonted bed,
Record the chiefs that mingled with the dead:
To future worlds, with exultation, tell,
How FORDYCE perish’d, and a GARDNER fell;
How LANGWORTH sought his grave; with noble pride
How brave MACKENZIE bled, and BECKETT died.

A relativist view (Stocqueler 1852):

The battle of the 27th began at two in the morning, and was continued until night. Renewed at day-break on the 28th, it raged until nine o’clock, when a pause of two or three hours took place. In this interval a signal illustration of the absence of personal vindictiveness on the part of rival French and English soldiers was presented. A small stream, tributary to the Tagus, flowed through a part of the battle-ground, and separated the combatants. During the pause, the respective armies removed their dead from the scene of action, and then it was, as Lord Castlereagh observed, when moving a vote of thanks to the army and its leader, “that those whose arms were before uplifted for mutual havoc met at the stream which intervened between their mutual positions, and shook hands in token of their reciprocal admiration of the bravery, skill, and firmness displayed on both sides.”

Sheardown copies from the Iron Duke’s dispatch, which illustrates well how the course of the battle (my emphases):

To Visc. Castlereagh.
Talavera de la Reyna, 29th July, 1809.

Gen. Cuesta followed the enemy’s march with his army from the Alberche, on the morning of the 24th, as far as St Olalla, and pushed forward his advanced guard as far as Torrijos. For the reasons stated to your Lordship in my dispatch of the 24th, I moved only 2 divisions of infantry and a brigade of cavalry across the Alberche to Cazalegas, under the command of Lieut. Gen. Sherbrooke, with a view to keep up the communication between Gen. Cuesta and me, and with Sir R. Wilson’s corps at Escalona.

It appears that Gen. Venegas had not carried into execution that part of the plan of operations which related to his corps, and that he was still at Daymiel, in La Mancha; and the enemy, in the course of the 24th, 25th, and 26th, collected all his forces in this part of Spain, between Torrijos and Toledo, leaving but a small corps of 2000 men in that place. This united army thus consisted of the corps of Marshal Victor, of that of Gen. Sebastiani, and of 7000 or 8000 men, the guards of Joseph Buonaparte, and the garrison of Madrid; and it was commanded by Joseph Buonaparte, aided by Marshals Jourdan and Victor, and by Gen. Sebastiani.

On the 26th, Gen. Cuesta’s advanced guard was attacked near Torrijos, and obliged to fall back; and the General retired with his army on that day to the left bank of the Alberche, Gen. Sherbrooke continuing at Cazalegas, and the enemy at St Olalla. It was then obvious that the enemy intended to try the result of a general action, for which the best position appeared to be in the neighbourhood of Talavera; and Gen. Cuesta having consented to take up this position on the morning of the 27th, I ordered Gen. Sherbrooke to retire with his corps to its station in the line, leaving Gen. Mackenzie with a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry as an advanced post in the wood, on the right of the Alberche, which covered our left flank.

The position taken up by the troops at Talavera extended rather more than 2 miles: the ground was open upon the left, where the British army was stationed, and it was commanded by a height, on which was placed en échelon, as the second line, a division of infantry under the orders of Major Gen. Hill. There was a valley between the height and a range of mountains still farther upon the left, which valley was not at first occupied, as it was commanded by the height before mentioned; and the range of mountains appeared too distant to have any influence on the expected action. The right, consisting of Spanish troops, extended immediately in front of the town of Talavera, down to the Tagus. This part of the ground was covered by olive trees, and much intersected by banks and ditches. The high road leading from the bridge over the Alberche was defended by a heavy battery in front of a church, which was occupied by Spanish infantry. All the avenues of the town were defended in a similar manner. The town was occupied, and the remainder of the Spanish infantry was formed in 2 lines behind the banks on the road which led from the town, and the right to the left of our position. In the centre, between the 2 armies, there was a commanding spot of ground, on which we had commenced to construct a redoubt, with some open ground in its Brig. Gen. Alex. Campbell was posted at this spot with a division of infantry, supported in his rear by Gen. Cotton’s brigade of dragoons and some Spanish cavalry.

At about 2 o’clock on the 27th, the enemy appeared in strength on the left bank of the Alberche, and manifested an intention to attack Gen. Mackenzie’s division. The attack was made before they could be withdrawn; but the troops, consisting of Gen. Mackenzie’s and Col. Donkin’s brigades, and Gen. Anson’s brigade of cavalry, and supported by Gen. Payne with the other 4 regiments of cavalry in the plain between Talavera and the wood, withdrew in good order, but with some loss, particularly by the 2d batt. 87th regt., and the 2d batt. 31st regt., in the wood. Upon this occasion, the steadiness and discipline of the 45th regt., and the 5th batt. 60th regt., were conspicuous, and I had particular reason for being satisfied with the manner in which Major Gen. Mackenzie withdrew this advanced guard. As the day advanced, the enemy appeared in larger numbers on the right of the Alberche, and it was obvious that he was advancing to a general attack upon the combined armies. Gen. Mackenzie continued to fall back gradually upon the left of the position of the combinel armies, where he was placed in the second line in the rear of the Guards, Col. Donkin being placed in the same situation farther upon the left, in the rear of the King’s German Legion.

The enemy immediately commenced his attack, in the dusk of the evening, by a cannonade upon the left of our position, and by an attempt with his cavalry to overthrow the Spanish infantry, posted, as I have before stated, on the right. This attempt entirely failed. Early in the night, he pushed a division along the valley on the left of the height occupied by Gen. Hill, of which he gained a momentary possession; but Major Gen. Hill attacked it instantly with the bayonet, and regained it. This attack was repeated in the night, but failed; and again, at daylight, on the morning of the 28th, by 2 divisions of infantry, and was repulsed by Major Gen. Hill. Major Gen. Hill has reported to me, in a particular manner, the conduct of the 29th regt., and of the 1st batt. 48th regt., in these different affairs, as well as that of Major Gen. Tilson and Brig. Gen. R. Stewart. We lost many brave officers and soldiers in the defence of this important point in our position; among others, I cannot avoid mentioning Brigade Major Fordyce and Brigade Major Gardner; and Major Gen. Hill was himself wounded, but I am happy to say but slightly. The defeat of this attempt was followed about noon by a general attack with the enemy’s whole force upon the whole of that part of the position occupied by the British army.

In consequence of the repeated attempts upon the height upon our left, by the valley, I had placed 2 brigades of British cavalry in that valley, supported in the rear by the Duque de Alburquerque’s division of Spanish cavalry. The enemy then placed light infantry in the range of mountains on the left of the valley, which were opposed by a division of Spanish infantry, under Lieut. Gen. Bassecourt.

The general attack began by the march of several columns of infantry into the valley, with a view to attack the height occupied by Major Gen. Hill. These columns were immediately charged by the 1st hussars, K. G. L., and 23d light dragoons, under Brig. Gen. Anson, directed by Lieut. Gen. Payne, and supported by Brig. Gen. Fane’s brigade of heavy cavalry; and although the 23d dragoons suffered considerable loss, the charge had the effect of preventing the execution of that part of the enemy’s plan. At the same time, he directed an attack upon Brig. Gen. Alex. Campbell’s position in the centre of the combined armies, and on the right of the British. This attack was most successfully repulsed by Brig. Gen. Campbell, supported by the King’s regiment of Spanish cavalry, and 2 battalions of Spanish infantry, and Brig. Gen. Campbell took the enemy’s cannon. The Brig. General mentions particularly the conduct of the 97th, the 2d batt. 7th, and of the 2d batt. of the 53d regts.; and I was highly satisfied with the manner in which this part of the position was defended.

An attack was also made at the same time upon Lieut. Gen. Sherbrooke’s division, which was in the left and centre of the first line of the British army. This attack was most gallantly repulsed by a charge with bayonets by the whole division; but the brigade of Guards, which were on the right, having advanced too far, were exposed on their left flank to the fire of the enemy’s batteries, and of their retiring columns, and the division was obliged to retire towards the original position, under cover of the second line of Gen. Cotton’s brigade of cavalry, which I moved from the centre, and of the 1st batt. 48th regt. I had moved this last regiment from its position on the height as soon as observed the advance of the Guards, and it was formed in the plain, and advanced upon the enemy, and covered the formation of Lieut. Gen. Sherbrooke’s division.

Shortly after the repulse of this general attack, in which apparently all the enemy’s troops were employed, he commenced his retreat across the Alberche, which was conducted in the most regular order, and was effected during the night, leaving in our hands 20 pieces of cannon, ammunition, tumbrils, and some prisoners.

Your Lordship will observe, by the enclosed return, the great loss which we have sustained of valuable officers and soldiers in this long and hard fought action with more than double our numbers. That of the enemy has been much greater. I have been informed that entire brigades of infantry have been destroyed; and indeed the battalions which retreated were much reduced in numbers. I have particularly to lament the loss of Major Gen. Mackenzie, who had distinguished himself on the 27th, and of Brig. Gen. Langwerth, of the King’s German Legion, and of Brigade Major Beckett, of the Guards.

Your Lordship will observe that the attacks of the enemy were principally, if not entirely, directed against the British troops. The Spanish Commander in Chief, his officers and troops, manifested every disposition to render us assistance, and those of them who were engaged did their duty; but the ground which they occupied was so important, and its front at the same time so difficult, that I did not think it proper to urge them to make any movement on the left of the enemy while he was engaged with us.

I have reason to be satisfied with the conduct of all the officers and troops. I am much indebted to Lieut. Gen. Sherbrooke for the assistance I received from him, and for the manner in which he led on his division to the charge with bayonets; to Lieut. Gen. Payne and the cavalry, particularly Brig. Gen. Anson’s brigade, to Major Gens. Hill and Tilson, Brig. Gens. Alex. Campbell, R. Stewart, and Cameron, and to the divisions and brigades of infantry under their command respectively; particularly to the 29th regt., commanded by Col. White; to the 1st batt. 48th, commanded by Col. Donellan; afterwards, when that officer was wounded, by Major Middlemore; to the 2d batt. 7th, commanded by Lieut. Col. Sir W. Myers; to the 2d batt. 53d, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bingham; to the 97th, commanded by Col. Lyon; to the 1st batt. of detachments, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bunbury; to the 2d batt. 30th, commanded by Major Watson; the 45th, commanded by Lieut. Col. Guard; and to the 5th batt. 60th, commanded by Major Davy.

The advance of the brigade of Guards was most gallantly conducted by Brig. Gen. H. Campbell; and, when necessary, that brigade retired and formed again in the best order. The artillery, under Brig. Gen. Howorth, was also throughout these days of the greatest service; and I had every reason to be satisfied with the assistance I received from the Chief Engineer, Lieut. Col. Fletcher; the Adj. Gen., Brig. Gen. the Hon. C. Stewart; the Q. M. G., Col. Murray; and the officers of those departments respectively; and from Lieut. Col. Bathurst, and the officers of my personal Staff.

I also received much assistance from Col. O’Lawlor, of the Spanish service, and from Brig. Gen. Whittingham, who was wounded in bringing up the 2 Spanish battalions to the assistance of Brig. Gen. Alex. Campbell.

Return of Ordnance captured from the enemy at the battle of Talavera.

• 15 pieces of cannon, of various calibre.
• 2 howitzers.
• 2 tumbrils, with ammunition complete.

Return of the numbers of killed, wounded, and missing at Talavera de la Reyna on the 27th and 28th July, 1809.

	Officers	Serjeants	R. and F.	Horses	Total loss of officers, non-commissioned officers, and R. and F.
Killed	40	28	789	211	857
Wounded	195	165	3553	71	3913
Missing	9	15	629	159	653

The position was well calculated for the troops which were to occupy it. The ground in front of the British army was open, that in front of the Spanish army covered with olive trees, intersected by roads, ditches, &c. The Spanish infantry was posted behind the bank of the road leading from Talavera to the left of the position.

The German Legion were on the left of the position in the first line. I had intended this part for the Guards; but I was unfortunately out, employed in bringing in Gen. Mackenzie’s advanced guard, when the troops took up their ground. The 5th and 7th battalions of the Legion did not stand their ground on the evening, and in the beginning of the night of the 27th, which was the cause of the momentary loss of the height in the second line. Gen. Sherbrooke moved his division, which was the left of the first line, to support Gen. Hill’s attack, in order to regain the height; and it was difficult to resume in the night the exact position which had been first marked out; and in fact, on account of these circumstances, we had not that precise position until after the enemy’s attack upon the height at daylight in the morning had been repulsed.

The advance of the Guards to the extent to which it was carried was nearly fatal to us, and the battle was certainly saved by the advance, position, and steady conduct of the 48th regt., upon which Gen. Sherbrooke’s division formed again.

The ground in front of the Spanish troops would not have been unfavorable to an attack upon the enemy’s flank, while they were engaged with us, as there were broad roads leading from Talavera and different points of their position, in a direct line to the front, as well as diagonally to the left but the Spanish troops are not in a state of discipline to attempt a manœuvre in olive grounds, &c., and if they had got into confusion, all would have been lost.
(Wellesley 1844)

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Original

Richard Beckett, of the Coldstream Guards, fourth son of the late Sir John Beckett, the first baronet, and brother to Sir Edmund Beckett, Bart. (formerly Denison). He entered the Coldstream Guards, as an ensign, in January 23, 1800; promoted to lieutenant July 16, 1801. He was present at the battles of Aboukir, March 8, 1801; expedition to Cuxhaven, 1805; at the battles of Alexandria, March 13, and 21, at Copenhagen, September 7, 1807, in the same year; at the passage of the Douro, May 12, 1809; and at the battle of Talavera, July 28, 1809, where he was killed whilst acting as major of brigade. Captain Beckett met his death in resisting the attack on General Sherbrooke’s division, which was in the left and centre of the British line. This attack was gallantly repulsed by a bayonet charge by the whole division; but the brigade of Guards, which was on the right, having advanced too far, they were exposed on their left flank to the fire of the enemies’ batteries, and of their retiring columns; and the division was obliged to retire towards the original position, under the cover of the second line of General Cotton’s cavalry. Honourable mention was made by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch of 29th July, 1809.

Samuel Walker, of the 3d Scots Fusilier Guards, son of William Walker, Esq. of Killingbeck Hall, near Leeds, and brother of the late William Walker, Esq. of Wilsic, near Doncaster, Captain Walker was at the battles of Aboukir, March 8, 1801; Alexandria, March 13, and 21 in the same year; at Copenhagen, September 7, 1807; at the passage of the Douro, May 12, 1809; and at the battle of Talavera, July 28, 1809, where he was killed.

270 words.

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• Beckett, Richard (1772-1809) (1), Leeds-born amateur cricketer and captain in the Coldstream Guards during the Napoleonic Wars ·
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