Prior to the Battle Of Talavera, the Spanish line, of its own volition, shot a volley at some distant horsemen far out of range. Terrified by the smoke and noise, they began a mass rout, pausing only to plunder their British allies supplies while running from the battlefield without any contact with the enemy.

As described by an eyewitness:- 'Nearly 2,000 ran off on the evening of the 27th...(not 100 yards from where I was standing) who were neither attacked, nor threatened with an attack, and who were frightened by the noise of their own fire; they left their arms and accoutrements on the ground, their officers went with them, and they... plundered the baggage of the British army which had been sent to the rear'