Star. — London, England, 1811-12-09 00:00:00

.kk DOWNINGSTREET, DECEMBER 5. i i r - , 1 ;r; \:,. _ ; : •4r . r'', ~ t :, . • C J~ , Y q C .1., A Y( " 44's FROM SATURDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. 4 Letter, of which the following is an Extract, has been received from Colonel Green, employed on a partkular serviee in Cats -1 lonia, clued Berga, Ifth Ocober, 1811. Since my . letter of theJth instant, I have the sa tisfaction to announce to your Lordship the surrender of the University of Cervera, which capitulated on the 11th ins..; 350 men composed its garrism, and A very considerable depot of wheat was found. I have also received intelligence of the evacuation' of Montserrat,- the enemy burning the church, and every thing which could be useful in a re-establish ment of that important point, taking the route of Barcelona; but from the great want of provisions there, they were not received, and are gone to Villa, Franca, supposed With the intention of re-inforcing Tarragona. On the 12th inst. I accompanied the Baron de Eroles to the attack of the Castle of Bellpuig, near Lerida, which was invested and summoned, but be ing determined to defend itself, was only 'ultimately reduced by mines, and one ten-pounder ; the Castle becoming a ruin before the surrender. There fell in to the hands of the Spaniards upwards of 160 pri soners, so that now the whole of the space between ' Lerida and Barcelona is free, and the importanycon sequences daily show .themselve', as deserters and Quartos, from the before invaded parts, are returning to ,their own standards. The_ indefatigability of General Lacy is extraordi nary; he has inspired the greatest confidence, andl iniccess appears very likely to follow his exertions, if the nature of the enemy's force continues to limit his warfare to defensive operations for a short time longer. The Maas Islands, from their peculiarly menacing situation, added to the increasing sickness of Mac donald's corps, checks at present all the enemy's movements in Upper Cataluna, prevent ii the con voys from passing to Bares long, which place is now M considerable want of provisions. 1 have the honour to enclose a proclamation of General Lacy's, which has been issued in consequence of molly conscripts having entered from France into Catalonia, requesting to be admitted to join the Spa nish colours, to avoid being forced into their own armies against Russia. DOWNINSTREET, DECEMBER 5. known toad peeuliarly"hazatdous, yet the troop.per formed it with, the greatest intrepidity, killing SO , men and making 20 priSoners ' • the remainder esca ped to Saragoza. Many articles of provisions were found within the fortress, and they were equally dis tributed among my soldiers. On the 15th I marched to Luna, and proceeded during the night to Ayerve. The enemy, who had fortified themselves in a convent, were prepared for an attack. On the night• of the 16th we began to dig a mine, in order to destroy one of the angles of the place. While this operation was carrying on with the greatest activity, and the remainder of the troops were stationed to observe the enemy's move ments., I received intelligence that a body of 1100 in fantry and 40 cavalry were on their march from Sa ragoza to relieve the besieged and destroy my corps; I therefore retired in the greatest silence, placing the infantry on a hill commanding the road, and ordering the advanced. guard to keep a vigilant watch. Early in the morning of the 17th, the enemy made his appearance. My advanced posts commenced firing, and kept it up without intermission until they fell back upon the main body. The French, full of ridiculous pride, reviled us, and used many insulting expressions. So great was the indignation of my soldiersat hearing such bombast from men whom they highly despised, that they grew desperate to the extreme. A consider= al* number cf the enemy, despising the fire of onr musketry, ascended our hill, sword in hand, with true soldierlike courage ; they took possession of the lower part of it, hut were instantly di 'yen back by ot.r fire and by the bayonet,-leaving behind them nineteen killed and 49 wounded. Having then concentrated into one solid column, they continued their march to the town of Ayerve, where they were reinforced by taenty cavalry from the ganison ; and having supplied themselves with ammunition, they marched to Huesca. I followed their rear guard with one hundred and sixty cavalry, delaying their march in the plain, that the infantry under my Second in Command, Don Gtegorio Ctn. chaga, might come up, as I had before agreed upon with him. I hft two companies of cavalry and in fantry before the garrison, to continue working at the mine, sending another detachment of equal strength on the road to Jaca, to pursue the celebrated Chamond, who, with considerable supplies entrusted to his charge, was endeavouring to throw himself into Jaca with his detachment ; but they could not c a me up with him, although the pursuit lasted fur three hours. While I was checking the march cf the column with my cavalry, divided into three detachments,' a part of the infantry, under the command of the Adjta. rant Don Pedio Antonio tarrena, overtook my rear guard • at the same time that my Second in Corn mand,Lieutenant Colonel Don Gregorio Cruchaoa, filed off rapidly - on my right, threatening the kfr of the enemy's column. This officer, with the first bat talion formed in sections, filed off, without firing a shot, to attack the enemy's rear. I ordered the flank company to support this movement, and menaced the right of the enemy with another detachment of ca valry, keeping the remainder in his front. I cannot but do the justice to the French to say, that their coolness and firm resistance were admirable; they formed into an oblong square, and the infantry kept firing within half pistol-shot. This imprudent temerity, and the menacing operation of Cruchaga, obliged them to retreat ; and upon their march they formed into a square, continually filling up the losses in their ranks ; but terrified. by the courage of my in fantry, which was approaching with fixed bayonets, and struck at the discipline of my cavalry, they again retreated ; and having gone through the village of Placencia, they again, for the third time, formed into a square, and again were they compelled to abandon the ground. Being instantly charged by my troops, they, for the fourth time, formed into a square, sup ported by their cavalry. Cruchaga had by this time come up with their rear guard, and his battalion, after a general discharge of marquetry, advanced' with the bayonet ; at the same moment the other de- tachment of infantry exectuei a similar movement, and the cavalt y began a dreadful slaughter. It is impossible to describe the horror of the French at this act of Spanish valour. Such baldness appeared to them impossible ; they never imagined that seven, hundred infantry, with one hundred and sixty cavalry,' would have attempted to disperse, kill, and make prisoners a greater number of their enemies formed into a square. After having suffered a dreadful slaughter. their obstinacy gava way ; and at last they laid down their arms. Their infamous cavalry be haved most disloyally, for, after having surrendered, they drew their swords, wounded several of my sol diers, and endeavoured to escape, but they werd pur sued and all put to the sword, except five, of whom, however, two were afterwards taken at the gates of Huesca. The following is an Extract of a Letter, which has been received j by the Earl of Liverpool, from Sir Howard Douglas, dated j Corunna, 16th November, ISt 1 . I had closed my dispatch of yesterday's date, when his Majesty's ship Iris entered this port ts ith intelli gence of the succef,sfol issue of Mina's movement into Arragon ; and bringing with her 400 prisoners,' the fruits of this enterprize, and of some services which Captain Christian has gallantly executed on the, Eastern coast. Mina's principal affair with the enemy was at Ayerve on the 17th ult. when he was attacked by a body of 1100 infantry and 60 cavalry, who had ad vancertl to relieve a small garrison which Mina was besieging. The attack was received with great steadi ness, repulsed -with gallantry, and the advantage fol lowed up with such vigour, that the whole of the enemy's force, with the exception of three men, were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Mina took 600 of his prisoners to the coast ; and his Majesty's ship Iris being fortunately in sight, Captain Christian took on board 400. Mina's force was 700 infantry, and 200 cavalry. I will not roil" the gallant Chief's account of any of its interest, and therefore reffi. your Lordship to the enclosed details of that and several preceding operations. Copy of a Letter front Ehm Francisco Espoz y Mina, to Sir Howard Douglas, dated Saugu. sa, 34th October. Excellent Sir—The great interest which the British Nation takes in the prosperity of •the Spanish Arms, and the particular esteem which I and my division owe to so heroic a nation, lay me under the obliga tion of submitting to you the original communica tions respecting the events of the war in this kingdom. I consider it'a ds:bt of atittidc and respect to put into your hands a series of intelligence of ail the military and political occurrences of this kingdom. (Signed) FRANCISCO ESPOZ I' MINA. Translation of a Letter from Colonel Mina to General Mendi zabal, dated Sangeesa, 12th October, ►Bll. Most Excellent Sir—l observed in the beginning i of October, that several French divisinus were ova.- cuating this kingdom, some :-o proceed to Old Cas tide, some to Arragon. I received intelligence at I the same time, that Generals Duran and 1)on Juani Martin (El Empecinado) were moving upon Cala-1 tuyud, in order to drive some of the eaemy's forces ; out of the kingdom of Valencia. I held it a sacred fluty to direct my attention to this operation, which I considered was one of the greatest importance ; and wh , le the Divisions of El Empecioado and Soriano were nancruvring on the right Bank of the Ebro, I proceeded from Saeguesa to Saliva (one of the five Cities of Arragon) with niy cavalry and two lratta lions (the Ist and 2d) of infantry, with the int( ntion of co-operating with them on the left Bank. Oa the 116, at dawn of day, I continued my march to Egeadelos Caballeros, proposing to surprise the gar rison, which was composed of `2OO infantry and 70 cavalry, whom, however, I found secured from a coup-de-main ; 1 encamped my troops, and went my self near enough to reconnoitre the strength t f the fortress. The enemy endeavoured to prevent this by firing, which they kept up withont interruption dur jng the.whplc day and the following night. . Nothing particuler occurred on the 12th. At dark a mine was begun, but in the middle of the night.the enemy recommenced a . bri.,k firing, which they colt tinued without interruption, forcing-in the.rnean time • e peasantry who taken refuge in . the place to emolish a very string wall, Talcing advantage of the obscur:ty, and t e noise occasioned b.y the mus ))cetry, they opened a Le each io the wall thiongh which 1 the 70 cayalty made tleir escape. Although I wort re at the instantaneous and total ccssatuan of the Firing, and resolved t, find out the cause, it was na turally iMpossible that this sluield not'haite" given them some favourable morrn.nts to make off ; but the ;quint I had ascertained their flight, I ordered 100 cavalry* . to pursue them, .and, . notwasanding that the dattn..ss, of the night anlithe. fear of anyamblith bid 4tine en e enw rendered . 'TIN 'sailed - cin ... an ua ... ... i ........ 4, sty troops some repose, I shall take a new direction. GAM preseree your Excellency many years. Most Excellent Sir,; {Signed) FRANCISCO Esroz x MINA. Sang:n*6a, October it e. • To Don ("Abel el de Mendixabel (the above for .ybur BzeeLlency's information.) (Signed) na eweiaco ESPOZ V MINA. To the most Eac ••Ilent Senor General Sir Howard Douglas, on a mission to the North of SVaio. Extract of a letter from Colonel Mina to Sir Howard Douglas, Bart. dated Sangursa, 26th October. Our army of Valencia has been several times suc cessful against the enemy. El Empecinado,and Ge neral Duran reduced, on the 4th of October, the gar rison of Calatuyud of eight handred men. A great quantity of grain, with many valuable necessaries; were found within the walls. The former was dis tributed sturoggst the farmers and inhabitants of the district, The latter amongst the soldiers. • They like wise captured the gafrison of Frasmo, consisting of one officer and thirty-nine men ; lend attacked a French column marching from Almunia to the relief of Calatuyud, killing fifteen cuirassiers, and making six prisoners, amongst whom was Colonel Guillot the Commander. General Duran is stationed near Calatuyud ; El Empecinado at Molina, and on the roads to Teruel and Daroca ; Generals Mahi and the COnde de Mon tijo are arrived at Cuenca, with six thousand men froin the third army. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, DECEMBER 7. Extract of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Edward renew, Part. Commanaer in Chief of his Majesty's ships and Velliels in the. Mediterranean, to John Wilson C•oker, Esq. dated on board the Caledonia, Port Mahon, ea November, 1811. As I doubt not their Lordships will be very desir ous of information, as to the state of affairs on this side of Spain, I herewith transmit copies for their sa tisfaction of the latest dispatches I have received from Captain Eyre, of his Majesty's ship Magnificent, de tailing the most recent transactions in the province of Valencia, and also from Captain Codrington, com manding off the coast of Catalonia. The comitict of the Spanish Comm enders at Oro-1 pesa, which is mentioned by Captain Eyre, has been well supported by the gallantry of Lieutenants Astley and Hiatt, who, under the very judicious orders of Captain Eyre, brought him off with his little garrison. I have to express my complete approbation of Cap tain gyre's measures, and have much satisfaction in employieg the services of that excellent officer in aid of the ‘Talencian patriots. The more remote operations of the French troops under Suchet seem to have afforded the Catalans an opportunity, of .1 Inch they have profited, to renew their exertions with considerable vigour, and successes of no mean account have rewarded their enterprises. Magnificent, off V aiencla, October 14. Sin—Upon my arrival at this place, on the Bth inst. I lost no time in assuring General Blake of my 1 readiness to undertake any service in which I could be useful in forwarding his plans for the defence of this province, and the next day I received from his Excellency a letter conta;niag a request that I Would endeavour to relieve the castle of Oropesa, which was closely invested by the enemy, and much distressed for provisions. I in consequence immediately proceeded thither, with three gun boats which the General had put un der my command, and arrived there on the evening of the 11th, when I learnt that the Castle had sur rendered on - the preceding day, and that two thou sand of the enemy's troops were in the town • a tower, howower, about a mile from Oropesa, and only a short distance from the sea, had the Spanish flag still flying, and the enemy were discovered con'aruct ing a strong battery against it, witain musket shot. Having found means to communicate with tie tower, I received a letter from the Commandant, in forming me, that although he had refused to capitu late when summoned the day before, it would be im possible for him to hold out many hours against such a force as the enemy had breught against him ; an arrangement was in consequence immediately model to withdraw the garrison. At day-break the following! morning, the enemy opened their fire, which was re-1 turned with spirit from the tower ; but it was not till near nine o'clock, when the breeze sprung up, that I could proceed in with the Magnificent: I then an chored as close to the &lore as the situation would admit, and sent our launch and pinnace, together with the gun boats, to bring off the garrison, which consisted of two officers and eighty-five sol re:., all of whom, I have the satisfaction to inform you, were by the exertion and steady conduct of the officers and boats' crews, ember ked by ten o'clock. The fire from the Magnificent kept the battery in check, hitt the moment the enemy perceiVed that the Tower was abandoned, they drew down to the water side, under shelter of a little point of' land, and amongst the rocks, in great numbers, keeping up against the boats an incessant and heavy fire of rms.. ketry, from which three of cur men were wounded ; Such has been the fate of the eleven hundred in- one of them, lam sorry to say, very dangerously. I fantry and sixty cavalry, who came to insult us.—' The Officers who commanded the Magnificent's , Nine hundred men of Navarre, under my command, boats upon this occasion, 'wine Lieutenants Astley,i have annihilated that haughty column, stq crior in and Hiatt, and I have great pleasure in representing number's to them, and none have they left but three to you, that for every duty of danger or trouble, they refugees, who have fled to Saragoza, to spread these have always volunteered their services, and their con- j news, and inspire with terror their companions in . duct on this as upon every former occasion, has been ! arms in Arragon, and teach them to respect the arms very satisfactory to me, and highly creditable to ofSpain. We have made pristners the Cynirriander of themselves. 1 the column, seventeen officers, and six hundred and . From the launch being obliged to make use of her forty men, including seijeants and corporals ; the re- . cartonade, in order to check the increasing fire of the' minder were killed on die field of battle, or have enemy, the Pinnace, after taking a boat full cf Spa died of their wounds. Our loss consists in six killed, nisi) soldiers to one of the gun-boats, was under the among which is the Commander, ad-interim, of the necessity of going a second time to the shore for those cavalry, Don Miguel de Lizarrega, and one serjeant, who still remained upon the rocks ; which service, and .in thirty.fuur wounded ; my horse received Lieutenant Hiatt executed with great spirit and hu a wound which his made him unfit for service. , inanity.—l. have the honour to be, &c. This day has covered with glory my officers and i (Signed) mortal UM soldiers ; I cannot sufficiently praise their valour, en- • Officers employed in the Boats. thusiasm, and resolution in the battle, and their obe. Lieutenants Astley and Marl, and Mr. G. D. Ross, midshipman. dience to my word of command amidst the greatest neamen Wounded. John Lens, dangerously; Robert Thompson and Richard James, dangers. They have preserved the honour of the : Now s y. 'Spanish arms, and have acquired a stew triumph, , - • ai sent yon, Valencia, the the te reqcopuyest whichf h T Blake, off Mauro, October to. which will be read with pleasure in our Military an. I - pe . r ° , li t t he — C l h on ay su e l sen at nals . ; and I most particularly recommend the braVe ' 1 tuitted me to take of a sort of journal ofthepro e ce p e e d r - - o Mr. up winners of this victory, who have entitled themselves logs in Valencia and that neighbourhood, to every distinction, , : in I think, you will find very interesting. and which I immediately proceeded to Huesca, the garrison of wtiich had fled, from fear of falling' into my pnwer ! .'; ha,ve_the honour to be, &c. ' I Sound many usefuleffccts and 'five - Spanish o '*ersi .- (Bigne.l) . XpWARD conittnarox wham they kept prisoners in the place, they have ' Si r Ed' wa g p e ne wt B ait v ice _ Admini of the Red, Re. • 'been rescued And hive proceeded to. joiu' dila. tee... .. - -. proceed to give Inr al / 4 444 Ex. cell et el be ;T i die m ? " 4:ll . t-* - . Pl ' ent i 1 returned hither on the 22d, 444 Iftenitfof i Sta—l culars of what has paired to this day. 'On the 19th or 20th ultimo the enemy began to advance from 'rot • toga and Arragon upon Castellon de la Plana, which place they reached on the 23i, with about 16,000 in fantry and about 1200 horse, commanded by General Suchet. On the 23d, General Blake made a movement from Murviedro upon this City, which caused some confusion among the inhabitants, but his army retire.! in the best order possible, composed of 13/XlO . - try, including (3000 men of his division from Alblier,., besides the united corps of General ()bier) and V;1- lacampa, commanded* by Charles O'Donnell, ri . ..hlO men who bccupy Legorbe, Lyria, &c. General Bassecourt, with near 2000 men from Cutisca, was it Reguena and Utril till the I2th ius: Besides the abovementioned infantry, we have about sixteen bundled cavalry, some 9f which are the best &quipped I have stew. Suchet's force is composed of tlie army of Cata. I lonia, and the re-union of the. many small corl.s and Garrisons of the interior of Spain, which is alawst left to its fate. On the 15th ultimo, Colonel Andrioni was sworn Governor of Saguntum, and 3500 men, all volun teers, destined fot iti Garrison. The enemy, it seems, intended to take Valencia by a coup.de-main ; but, arrived in front of Murvicdro, they met with a resi•.- tauce they did not expect ; for having got every thir,7 ready for an assault, on the 2Sth, at two o'clock iA the morning, after three hours continued attack iyon three points, they were repulsed with great loF.s, all their scaling ladders taken, to the nlimher of fiitr, and upwards of 400 killed and wounded. . . . The Garrison behaved with heat valour, driving down the enemy that gained the rimparts wi:h " and bayonet. The French continue to occupy t:2 town of Murvicdro, the Castle occasoaaliy its fire on them ; but, having broken throu : th the pat , titi,m walls of the houvn, they keep up the:r commu nications wi:lt some. degree of safety, without expu,i7l:., themselves in the streets. On the 2d inst. Charles Ollonni-ll mtickel by a considerable force mar lienaguaziel; tlte ot*the enemy was to cut off his retreat across the 'lvor to Villa Marchinte. Tne Spaniards repulsed the charge of the cavalry with musketry, and kept the infantry in .check whilst the whole of O'Donnell's torce suceeeled in pass:r . .t. the river, with the loss of o.lly eleven men killed, 52 wounded, and 118 missing. The enemy's loss WAS much greater, as time co lumns advanced very near the Spaniards, when thy were repulsed by a well-directed fire of musketry. On thiBth, from five o'clock to half-pan seven in the evening the enemy attemptel again to asault the Castle of Sagnitturn, but the G.iri is. in kept up such A constant fire of musketry, cannon, and ha id grenale,, that the enemy could not succeed in planting th.!ir lad ders, and were repulsed with some loss. It is said that a French General (Abeit), and two Colonels, were buried at Almanara on the 30th alt. kilted is the assault on the 28th. every be rail Torte Thi ported Sit iyht 1. ..ve /Tajo' 6 , .rhe .d der prl' I:hi fr(ln prof; 11 tL4y at but a inc;•thi wails :tome apprel delei:c Sac atternl four ti with F forwA fore i throe! 77) ode r w sau stein: alias A the al tock the ci nn th , thcly to re t ta►t:t nine A OCC Is aro*lW • ‘V! Inc V: Undet GC W I i~lf Sir Ed tarp t.:asti runt Vale tion One of our 'Guerilla parties attacked a party of French infantry and cavalry at Estivella t kiilcd 40 of the enemy, and4mede three prisoners. The Empecinado has 4000 ini.intry and 700 ca valry. One of his parties lately took a Cdurier near Segorbe, escorted by cavalry : nude 47 prisoners, 60 horses, and killed 13 of the enemy: The town , 1 Molina spas also attacked, and the Ms I: whic Garrison, consisting of 8.5, were made prisoners, :eel which the Empecinado moved upon D .coca, to sur prise the Garrison there, which however escaped t ) ea latavud, after losing a few men in killed and woundel Brigadier Duran, with 2000 infantry and '50./ horse from Soria, has joined the Empecinado in his march upon Catalayud, where they ',aye bl , scsaded the French in the convent which our trdops are min ing, and we wait the result with impatience. buran occupied the town of Catalayud Jan the 3uth ult. Colonel Mina was at Santa Crux del Canipero on the 17th, with 4.500 infantry and 500 cavalry. 16tis October.—The garrison of Calataud, re inforced with those a Daroca and 200 men from Sa ragoza, has surrendered to Brigadier Duran and the Empecinado. The killed, wounded, and prisoner: are about 700. The French Conimandant oteti nately held out, and even suffered the tit st mine to be sprung, which, howeier, had not the desir.l ef fect ; but ..he second being ready, he at last, &spatt ing of succours from Madrid or Saraguza, capitula ted with his garrison. The enemy continue throwing up works in the night betore Saguntum, which are ail nearly desmy ed during the day. 18th of October.—The enemy having marched 2000 men from Pampeluna, and 1030 from Tortosa upon Arragon, arrived at Calatayud merely to witness the surrender of the garrison. Some French cavalry pursued the prisoners to the Sierra of Ateca, ' but were repulsed.with some loss, after which the 4900 French retreated upon Saragoza. General . Willi has advanced upon Cuenca, Count Montijo occupies the road to Huete jut cavalry, sand it is expected the garrison of Cuenca will be *taken prisoners. Tice enemy have opened a batter y of two mortars and three pieces of cannon, eighteen pounders, since yesterday, upon Saguntum, without effect. 21st October.—General Mahi reached Cuenca, hut the French, alltough surprised, succeeded in 42,cap ing through ell! defiles of the mountains towards Ma drid. On the 18th, in the afternoon, the Castle of Saguntum made signals that the breach was practi cable ; at five o'clock the same evening, the enemy marched up the hill in tour columns, and made a most determined assault ; and, as Captain Eyre 0: the Magnificent informed me, who was anshored Murviedro, nothing could exceed the noble mantel in which it was repulsed : the action lasted about 45 minutes ; since that time the enemy has been quiet, and only a sew shots have been exchanged. It appears that the enemy had made another as sault at one o'clock on tht morning of the .18th. Several deserters woo left Murekdro yesterd •e, in consequence at my proclamation, declare, that i n the assault of the 18. h the enemy lost 1000 fro), and that Suchet lost an Aid de Camp, besides mu th artieral Mahi's artillery passed thmugh Regue: a yesterday for is glace, and his division will mat ch towards Mureledrn, by the road .hrongli Ch. lea The guerillas from Cullers, .to the number of 3000, arrived here yesterday. u t mops are in mos • deal amsulsraitkai has been distributed 'to them, and relol ae: 0 : i] : e , t ‘ }.:~ r.:.! t! . .. •