Description MGS 1793-1814 Medal 1-Clasp Sahagun and Benavente to Pte. J. Rishton of the 10th Hussars SOLD Condition – Good E.F. James Rishton, a carpenter by trade, enlisted into the 10th Hussars on 2nd December 1804, aged 24. The 10th Hussars were sent to Portugal in 1808 as a part of Sir John Moore’s expedition to support the Spanish Forces who were fighting the French. The 10th Hussars were placed in Lord Paget’s Cavalry Division, along with the 15th and 18th Hussars. The 10th Hussar’s first engagement was a cavalry action at the Battle of Sahagun on 21st December 1808. Here, the 10th and 18th Hussars completely defeated the French cavalry, who lost 20 killed and 170 prisoners, including two Lieutenant Colonels. The British forces sustained only two killed and 23 wounded. Following this success, Paget’s cavalry saw action against the French cavalry once again at the Battle of Benavente on 29th December 1808, when the 10th and 18th Hussars completely routed two French cavalry regiments. During this action, a trooper in the 10th Hussars captured the French Commander Lefebvre-Desnouettes. British casualties amounted to approximately 50, whilst the French suffered 55 killed or wounded and had 72 men taken as prisoners. Following this, the British cavalry regiments retreated to Corunna with the whole of Sir John Moore’s forces where they embarked on ships and returned to England. James Rishton did not return to the Peninsula as he was transferred to the 11th Royal Veteran Battalion on 24th April 1812, having served in the 10th Hussars for seven years and 144 days. He served in the 11th Royal Veteran’s Battalion for a further two years and 91 days before being fully discharged in 1814. This is a very rare medal as only 93 troopers from the 10th Hussars were awarded the Sahagun and Benavente clasp. The medal is of outstanding quality being a Good E.F. in condition and is sold with copies of James Rishton’s service papers.
