However he was disappointed in his just expectations, and a temporary bar was placed to his ardent desire to join the Army, but his decided military bent, and qualifications, were not unobserved; and in November, 1800, he was appointed to a Second Lieutenancy in the Experimental Corps of Riflemen, commanded by Colonel Coote Manningham.
[2] In the Rifles, Lieutenant Elder met with congenial spirits, and had the happiness to associate with several who have since, like himself, by their gallantry and talents, arrived at a very high rank in the service, and who have invariably evinced towards their brave comrade the warmest regard and satisfaction at his deserved success.
In this affair the conduct of Captain Elder was particularly conspicuous, he having led his company to the breach, and established himself on the ramparts, in defiance of a numerous body of the enemy then pressing hard upon him.
In the confusion the vigilant eye of Captain Elder saw the importance of occupying the tower of the Cathedral, and he at once took possession of it, and by his flanking fire succeeded in driving the enemy from their guns, and enabled the troops to clear the ramparts.
[4]Captain Elder further had the good fortune to be most favourably noticed for his zeal and ability by Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd, who, on the disembarkation of the troops in the Bay of Barragon, personally inspected the manner in which the sentries had been posted, which called forth the General's marked approbation; and he declared that had he himself placed them, he could not have done it better.
He embarked for England after the battle of Corunna (in which he was engaged) with the remains of his corps; and in April, 1809, being one of the twenty officers originally chosen, he was promoted to a majority, and appointed by Marshal Beresford to the command of the 3rd battalion of Caçadores in the Portuguese Army, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in that service.
[8] On 24 July, in the severe action of the Côa, the 3rd battalion was particularly mentioned in Orders by Marshal Beresford, who, in thanking the Commanding Officer and corps, observed that "their brilliant conduct on that occasion was in every respect equal to that of British troops".
[8] While the Army retired on the Lines of Torres Vedras, the 3rd Caçadores distinguished themselves particularly at Alenquer, where, owing to a heavy rain and thick fog, the French succeeded in entering the village unobserved.
[8] On the retreat of the enemy from Santarem, Lieutenant-Colonel Elder, always in advance, had repeatedly the honour of being opposed to the Marshal Ney, and while thus employed, took, and kept possession of the Castle of Pombal until the arrival of the Allied Army.
[10] On 13 March 1811 his battalion was ordered to turn the enemy's right flank on the position of the Serra d'Estrella, and falling in with them at Chao da Lama (whilst they were attacked in front by the light division), he participated in driving them from the heights.
[8] On the following evening, 15 March 1811, the Caçadores composed a part of the troops which attacked the enemy with such rapidity at Foz d'Arouce that they were thrown into confusion; and in crossing the river they lost an eagle, and a number of men and officers were drowned.
[10] Lieutenant-Colonel Elder's corps was again engaged in the skirmish at Guarda; and in the attack at Sabugal (3 April 1811) it forded the river in two places in front of the light division, driving in the enemy's advanced pickets.
[10] The Allied Army going into quarters on the frontiers of Portugal, Lieutenant-Colonel Elder, with the 3rd Cacadores, was sent in advance to the village of Espeja, in Spain, and there they distinguished themselves by repulsing, in square, an attack of seven squadrons of the enemy's cavalry, who suffered severely in killed and wounded.
[10] In the battle of Fuentes d'Onore, on the morning of 5 May 1811, Lieutenant-Colonel Elder was engaged in covering the light division in the wood on the right of the line, from whence they were obliged to retire in square, being attacked by nearly the whole of the enemy's cavalry.
The 3rd Caçadores was the first corps that broke ground before that fortress; and in the storming and capture it had the honour of leading the light division to the assault under a tremendous fire, carrying, besides their arms, 300 sacks of hay, which they placed in the ditch, and immediately mounted the breach.
[12] At the peace of 1814, Sir George Elder accompanied the Portuguese Army on their return to their native country, when he was, in 1816, promoted to the rank of brigadier in that service, and subsequently to that of Major-General, with the command of a brigade (the 5th) in the Alemtejo.
[12] Elder left Portugal in 1823, but visited it again in 1830, when he was received with marks of high distinction by its Sovereign, the court, and the brave officers and men who had gained renown under his guidance, or had witnessed his gallant deeds.
They had taken a boat, and at a considerable distance from the shore were swimming about, when Captain Elder was seized with the cramp, and crying cut in great distress, his friend reached him at the critical moment, and fortunately succeeded in saving himAttribution