FOLLOWING THE GREAT VICTORY AT SALAMANCA in July 1812 the Anglo- Portuguese Army, with the 95th Rifles to the fore, marched to liberate Madrid. While Wellington advanced to Burgos the Light Division remained to enjoy the unusual civilization of the Spanish capital. However, this was short lived as the French Marshals had been forced to unite under King Joseph against the Allied armies and the siege of Burgos failed. Another desperate retreat to the Portuguese frontier in appalling autumn weather conditions followed in which the 95th suffered cruelly as supply arrangements broke down.

Over the winter months Wellington reorganised his army for the 1813 campaign, which he was confident would see the French ejected from Spain. Training, new lighter equipment and organisation was to enable the 95th Rifles and the rest of the Army to
play the French at their own game and make lightning marches across Spain, cutting off the withdrawal route of King Joseph and his army and forcing them into battle. The plan worked well and French troops stood outside the city of Vittoria. The resulting
battle was a clear victory for Wellington, with the three battalions of the 95th all playing significant parts in overcoming the French defences on the river. Like Salamanca though, the battle was not a crushing defeat for the French as their forward line collapsed, meaning Graham's flanking columns could not envelope the French Army and, of course, the treasure of a nation was too much temptation for the British, who helped themselves to the riches.

The final phase of the 1813 campaign saw the French driven back to their border in the mountains of the Western Pyrenees where they produced the Biddosa Line, from which Marshal Soult tried in vain to relieve pressure on San Sebastián. Finally, Wellington was ready to break the Biddosa Line and cross the frontier into France, with the Rifles ready to play a key part in the mountain battle on the slopes of the Great Ruhne.