George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards piper to the Highland Society of London, was wounded in this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck up a favourite regimental air, to the great delight of his comrades. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the SEVENTY-FIRST have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced high feeling for the credit and honor of the corps.[23]
During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken, among whom was the French general, Brennier. Corporal John M^cKay, of the SEVENTY-FIRST, who took him, was afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.
The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.
The following officers of the SEVENTY-FIRST were wounded in the battle of _Vimiera_: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie; Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R. M^cAlpin.
The SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently received the royal authority to bear the word “_Vimiera_” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this battle.
The “_Convention of Cintra_” was the result of this victory, and it was signed on the 30th of August. By its provisions the French army evacuated Portugal, which country became freed from its oppressors.
The British army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French army having by this convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped.