Star. — London, England, 1807-11-14 00:00:00

*RNAL OF THE OPERATIONS OF Mt BRITISH ARMY AT BUENOS AYRES. NUMBER Early in the morning of the sd July, after pill ng A molt cheerlef , night, aggravated by almoli every calamity of the field, the Britifh 2.rmy formed in lea- dinefs to march towards the city of Buenos Ayres. On the preceding night, Majnr General *Gowra had proceeded as far as the advanced divifion of the army, and had vifited, during the night, the pofts of the different corps of which it was cornpofed. The Ma• jor•General now sainted the command of this divi fion, and, with the intention of reaching a favour able pofition, he determined to advance immmedi ltely, without waiting for the prefentjuneion of the main army, under General Wutrztoces, from e l u gios, which was expefted to make its appearance, acd form in the rear, every minute. The Advanced divifion, therefore,now commenced its march, which was very long, circuitous, and, from the nature of the country which they were ob- lilted to pafs, extremely fatiguing. The march was Dice/oily circuitous, fince it had been previouily refolved, that the troops fhould ford the Rio Chuelio at a par Age feveral miles higher than the bridge, which Litt the enemy were faid to have honey for tified, with an immenfe train of artillery—it was alfo certain that a very large body of the Spaniards had sferaged at the bridge, to prevent the Britifh army from palling it, having no fufpicion that the latter would attempt to crofs the river at any other part.— Befides, it was by no means certain, that the enemy bad not deltroyed the bridge, or rendered it other wife unferviccable for the paffage of the army, parti cularly as large fires had been difcovcred during the whole of the preceding day, in the neighbourhood of the city. Although the dillance of the potation of the ad . %famed divifion from Buenos Ayres, laft night, did Dot exceed fix or (even miles in the nearelt direftion, let the route they followed to day was more than three times that dittance. They had marched about fix miles, through a fiat country, divided by frequent firearms, fome of which were of coafiderable fate, without being joined by the army in the rear under General WHITELOCKI, ‘hicb, ever fince day-light, had been moll anxioufly ezpefted—and, although the flatnefs of the country admitted a moll extenfive profpat in every direc tion, yet the main army could not be dircerned, even with the aid of glaffes. It was now thought that the original plan of croffing the river had been altered, and that General WHITELOCKE intended to force the palfage of the bridge, while the advanced divifion fisould eanfe a diverfion, and zttack thi city in ano ther dire ion. The advance now entered a very extenfive plains on which the whole line.immediately took up their re 'plat dillancis, in readinefs to form as accafion might, point out. The city was on the right, and parallel to the line of march. Some of the enemy's cavalry were ob ferved hanging on the front of the line, in the direc tion of the city, feemingly with a view of reconnoi tering the ltrength of the army, but they fpeedily retired. A body of cavalry was afro dilcovered about a mile I in front of the detachrrfeat of the 95th, which corps I aVas'disperfed to the right and left of the line of march for the purpofe i f ccvering the flanks. The enemy were obferved to form immediately toithe num ber of 5 or6oc, with their right lianked by a wood, and their l eft by a tivulet. The head of the Buitift column moved on rapidly. It confined of the detachment of the Rifle Corps un der Major TRAVERS, and the Light Infantry Batta lion under Lieutenant Colonel Pack ; the whole un der Central CRAWFUICD. They immediately de ployed into a :line ditenly oppofed to thit of the enemy, while the 36th and Bth regularly diflanced in open column of fob di7tfons, remained in readi nefs to form, and fupport them, if neceffary. When within reach of cannon, a fire was opened on them froth the light field pieces attached to the Light Brigade, which was loon followed by the fire of the Rifle Corps and Light Battalion. In a few minutes the enemy gave way in eve: y direltion, and many of them took to the wood ; but, being clad) , purfued by the Riflemen, who behaved with that fpirit and gallantry which they have ever evinced when called into anion, they were loon compelled to leek their Lafety in flight. This affair was accomplifhed with out any lots on the fide of the Brain', who thus laid open for themfelves a !mirage to the bank of the ri ver Chuello, which was at the difiancc of fix miles. To the great aflonifliment of the advance, the main divition of the army under General WIiITE. ricks could not yet be feen ; and the day being low far (pent. fears were entertained that they would arrive too late tp enable them to profit by any ad vantage over the enemy which might offer from the fudden appearance of fuch a firong army before their city ; for it is well known that the latter were not then in cxpeEtation of being fn loon attacked, nor were they in a Rate of preparation to tepel the vigo :011s a!rault of a Biitifh force of very inferior num• Mrs. Major General GowER refolved, however, to gain the ford of the liver, and accordingly, moved on with his divifion, acrofi feveral muddy ftreama and through miry roads ; about four o'clock, he reached the bank of the river without further oppo t ;on. Small irregular bodies of the enemy's boric continually hovered on the flanks and rem; and often cane fo very near, as to be heard making ufe of lan• . gone intended to convey infult and .defiance. It it to be underßood that their boldnefs iir advancing fo near was attended with perfea fafety ; for, although a detachment of our mounted cavalry wrs attached to the divifion, yet, filch is the fuperior rapidity of the movements of the Spaniih horfe, that the dri• goons are unab!e too keep pace with them, even for a thort dißance. The Light Brigade inllantly forded the river, the men being up to the middle ; and, forming on the oppofite bank, immediately moved forwards : they had advanced neatly a mile before the other corps had all c rolled the river, which was done with the greateli order and alacrity. The ammunition pouches were carried on their necks. The Offing of the river Chuello was reckoned of fo snitch importance, particularly as it had been thought impraaicable, without confider.tble lots, that Tome regarded it as the Thermopylae of Buenos Ayres. An important advantage was certainly gained, for the enemy had evidently no idea of the Britifh finding a parfage by the ford ; and if aware of it, might have effedtually prevented it. As it required confiderable time to crofs 'over the two fix pounders and ammunition, three companies of infantry under a field officer, were left at the ford to prnteet and bring them up. In the mean time, the 36th and 88th regiments moved on towards the Light Brigade ; which, after fcouring the vicinity, and diflodging the enemy from hedges and other cover, on either fide of their line of march, had gained the heights which lie to the call ward of the city. It Teemed to have been the inten tion of General GowEit, in the firft ;offence, to fecure poffeffion of thcfe heights, until the arrival of Gene ral WHITELOCICE with the main army, which he now defpaired t f fceing that night. General CRAWFURD, however, being in front, continued to advance with his brigade, and, fcouring the orange groves and thick arbours which skirted his route and afforded cover to the enemy, he now entered the lanes which lead into the city about fun fet, the 36th and 88th, under General Lu MAY, being almoti a mile in his rear. The approach of night prompted the whole to advance with rapidity. After marching in a cir• cuitous direition two or three miles, the Light Bri gade, at a fudden turning of the road, were unexpec tedly oppofed to a heavy fire of grape from twelve pieces of cannon, planted near a place tailed Mife rere del Matadern, and defended by 2500 men. A momentary paufe caned. An immediate and deci• live flep was now abfolutcly neceffary. General Csawvosn, therefore, ordered the Light Battalion to charge the enemy at their guns. This order was inflantly and chearfully obeyed. From the nature of the ground, which was extremely uneven and in- 1 terrupted by bullies and other attacks, their advance to the charge was neceffarily difficult : they milted fctward, however, with loud and continued cheering, ' each man vying to be the fires to reach his opponent, while the enemy kept up a conaant fire of grape upon them, and leaned determined to receive thi l charge. The critical moment was now arrived : the Spaniards obferving the refolute approach of the Britik and ditheartened by their flouts, began to abandon their polls, and betake themfelves to flight. A few only had the courage to await their fate at the guns ; and of that few not one efcaped the bay onet. The fugitives were purfued by the gallant vitors for a confiderable diftance, and many of them killed in their flight. In the confotion unavoidably uccationed by the latenefs of the hour, and the ine qualities and intricacies of the fcene of alien, it is feared that the firing of our own troops proved fatal to force of themfelves. From the ill diredted fire of the enemy, the lofs of the Britilh was not more than 25 killed and wounded : That of the enemy could not be afcertained, but it was eftimated at not left than 250 in killed and wounded, many of whom they fucceeded in carrying off. The fuccefs of this aCtion was as complete, as its execution was rapid, gallant, and decifive ; and the Ids on our fide was compara tively (mall. Eight pieces of cannon, 4,6, and &pounders, four howitzers, and a large quantity of ammunition, were taken from the enemy, who re treated with the utmoft precipitation, and carried the difaftrous news into the city : a few of them were alto made prifoners on this occafion, among whom were feveral of their wounded.—(To be continued.) DRFADFUL FIRP.—A fire broke out at one o'clo:k yelierday, at the premifes of Mr. Hussar, barge builder, at the Nine Elms, Batterfea ; which. on its firil appearance, threatened the detiration of the whole neighbourhood, there being only two parifb engines on the fpor, until the arrival of the Hope engine, which was the flat from town, and in lefs than five minutes began playing on the worldhop, where upwards of 20001. worth of timber, and 300 bolts of reeds, ere in a blaze ; there was alto a fine barge on the flocks, and ready for launching, built for Mr. BeNNFT, of Wandfworth, which was near catching fire, but was faved by the men hclonging to the Hope Fire Office, who silo ufed their exertions towards the dwelling houfe, which efcaped the conflagration ; a range of malt houfes had a very narrow efcape, as they had taken firel three times ; but the firemen were fuccefsful in pre ferving them, which was done with great difficulty, they being knee high in water and mud ; the heat was fo great, from Ole large quanti:y of timber. that for fome time they were enveloped in clouds of firc and linoke. It is imagined to have originated by fome chips atching tire in the worldhop, while the men were at dinner. The ptemifes were isfured. Nfurzcia I ‘ITELLIGENCE. MAILS—Wind S. W. AUL DUE. Ain. DOS. Du! sin - 4 s I Gottenburgh 0 3 Waterford [Arbon - 0 0 FALMOUTH, NOVEMBER it. . . Sailed the Nof lon packet, Captain BLIGHT, with mails for New Iftrk ; and Ow: Duke of Montrofe. Captain DYNELY, with tnaiis for I:;.trb.:..;Je and Ja maica.—Wind Northerly. TORBAY, NOVEIMER is. This morninglis htijefty's [hips ViLts in PARIS, ROYAL GEORGE, ST. GEORGE, DREADNOUGHT, TON• NANT, Colossus, and TEMEREIRE, got under weigh with a 'fine wind at North, and proceeded down Channel to refume their Ration off Bret!. PLYMOUTH, NOVEMBER ti. Came in, the Duke of Kent, Captain EDINGTON, from. New Brunfwick, with malls for the Dock yard. Sailed Taft evening after dark to the Weftward, fup pored to be gone for Cork, 'h.! LONDON, of 98 guns, Rear Admiral Sir SIDNEY SMITH ; the Marlborough, Elizabeth, Bedford, and Monarch, of 74 guns each, and the Solebay, of 31 guns. Alin failed the FAWN, of 18 guns, to the Weftward, Paid to be gone to the Weft Indies ; and the Hound, of 18 guns, to the Eaftward, with a fleet under convoy for the Downs. Remain in Cawfand Bay and the Sound, the rou• DROTANT, of 84 guns, the PLANTAGENET and CON. ysaoa, of 74 guns each, the NAIAD, of 36 guns, the SANTA MARGARETTA, of 36 guns, from a crime, and remains; and the Mout isrown, of 14 guns, with a fleet from the Weftward. Paired by, the HUMBER, of 14 guns, with a fleet to the Weftward. PORTSMOUTH, NOVEMBER s 3. Arrived bis Majefty's fhips Ca ptain, Ruby, Ganges, Brunfwick, Defence, Difpatch, and feveral Danifh men of war, with a &et of outward bound, &c. under convoy from the Downs.—Sailed his Majefty's !hips Frolic, with a convoy for Cork; Saracen and Wey mouth, with a fleet under convoy for the Mediterra nean.—Wind DOVER, NOVEMBER. 13. The Unity tranfport, SCOTT, with a party of the German cavalry on board, came in this morning with the lots of an anchor and cable ; fhe paffed the Long Sand in a tremendous gale on Tuefday night, and the Matter reports that he faw a large (hip, which he took to be a Danifh line of b-attle (hip, !bike upon it, and he has every reafon to believe was, with the crew, totally loft. It is alfo ftrongly reported here, that an Englifh (hip of the line is loft, and that feveral tranfports are alto loft upon the Garbut and Kentifh Knock. 1 truft this report will turn out to be falfe. Arrived in the Roads this day a fleet confifting of about forty fail of tranfports from Copenhagen ; three of them (viz. the above and the Neptune, Captain Warta ; and Ark, CaptiGaxas) are come into the harbour, and I am forry to fay, have all loft fame of the horfes they had on board, having experienced fuch very tempeftuous weather on their pafl'age. Came in alto this day the brig Nil:, Captain ANDREWS, of and for Falmouth, with pitch, &c. from Archangel, having loft an anchor and cable, bowiptit, and her larboard fide (Love in by be ing run on board of by a man of war. The Renard French privateer, lately captured by the SKYLARK floop, is alfo come into this harbour. An accident of a ferious nature happened off here this afternoon about four o'clock : a large tranfport brig, and another brig apparently laden, were upon different tacks, turning into our Roads, by (cane caufe run on board of each other, and the wind blowing very prong the latter veffel foon fell over on her broadfide ; the crew of her, it is foppofed, are all Caved, as the tranfport put off two boats to her afliftance, and two more boats belonging to this place, were very fortunately not far off when the `accident took place : the tranfport has loft her how. fprit and fore•topmatt.—Sailed the KANGAROO floop on a cruize, and feveral gun brigs have arrived in the Roads, which is very fortunate, as the French ptivateers generally come over on this coati every night, and would no doubt carry off Tome of the tranfports, were there no armed veffels here to pro tea them. Six P. M.— A boat is jut come aihore from the brig that was run down ; the boatmen do not know her name, but the is alfo a tranfport with horfes, and was marked A F.—the crew and foldiers were all Paved. Another boat is jut come on chore, and I am informed that the brig's name is the Shorn, Cap tain ALstattriv, belonging to Newcatile—the i 7 holies the had on board were all drowned : the was cut down to,the water's edge.—Wind N. and blows ftrong. vet f T too now It 21111 vav fudd city Ott F a a Wen C• rots ft- biers gait an. and real • SHEERNESS, NOVEMBER 13. I am forry to fay the Lavaaar floop is loft on the Long Sand, but the whole of her crew are for tunately Paved, and arrived this morning in the Aggreftor gun brig. The Waldemaar Danifh man of war, and an Englifh frigate, fuppofed the Lana, are alto on lime on the Lung Sand. The TRUSTY, with feveral other (hips and gun brigs, have failed from the Nure to their affiftance. A Danilh brig got on Chore lad night at the back of the garrifon, but was got off this mor ning, without any damage. A Danifh line of battle mip paffed this port, for Chatham, yellerday. This afternoon the Coaflant gun brig failed with the Bal tic convoy. We have very bad accounts of the tranf ports that came op with the Waldemaar and Lsoa, being difperfed in a gale.—Wind N. blows (refit. DEAL, NOWMBER Sailed through the Downs from the River the Sir G .dfrey Warfter. WALKER, for Jamaica. There are feveral reports in circulation at this place. that one of the Dana line of battle (hips (ftippoled to be the Fuen), is on More on the Kentifh Knock, which it is to be feared is true: there are neatly 900 perfons board, aad the tbip 'Aden with naval tlores.— Wind N. W. - YARMOUTH, NOVEMBER r 3. Arrived this morning the Seyerin and Fuen Da nn men of war. The latter cut away her mans in the gale on Wednefday night ha, near Cromer Sand. (fuppofed to be the Waldemaar yellerday ). Arrived the Crefcent frigate, Cherub A.,op of war, and Thun der bomb.—Six fail of men of war are now coming into the Catt, from the Northward ; and a large Da r ith (hip, with Danifla colours at the f 4etop malt head, is in the offing. A lugger eivateer is now arrived, tent in by one of the Nork. Sea Cruizers. Sailed the Leda frigate and a gun brig, on a cruize. The Crefcent fails for the Nure this afternoon. The Danifh failors who have been at large ever fince they were fent in here, are all fent to prifon.— Wind N.N.W. IN TH C Roaas--Majeftic, Admiral Ruffell ; Roebuck, Adz:l:- cal Douglas ; Refolution, Captain Button ; Cherub fbop of war, Thunder bomb, and Seyeren and Fuca Datil& men of war. ANOTHER LETTER-SAME DATE. On Wednefday night, during the gale, the Fue , (Danifh) of 74 guns, was obliged to cut away all her malts to prevent being wrecked : there were near 700 men on board. We are happy to fay, only tuo men Coffered in the confufion (a foldier and a Tailor) by the falling of the mans. The Syren (Denali) of 74 guns, having on board the 43d regiment, has returned to thefe roads, after experiencing feve'e weather I but all are Cafe on board, and we hope, from the change of wind, will Coon be moored in port. Arrived his Majeny's brig EXIIIITION, with the Lonifa, of Plymouth, in tow, having in a gak of. wind been obliged to cut away her main•ma(t from her ballan (hating, which caufed her to fall on her beam ends. The Exertion and Bonier captured, on the 6th init. a Danifh Chip from Batavia, with a va luable cargo. WHITBY, N3V. rs. Arrived the Nebler, of Newcaltle : after file had got into harbour, by the violence of the wind, fea, and frefb water, drove many houfes, and galleries down, and alto the bridge broke in fuch a manner that it cannot be made paffable for Tome time. A loaded brig, and about eight or nine keels, funk off this place, all on boa perifhed :no affiance could be given them, as the fee and wind was fo very high ; part of the wreck has come on Shore, but nothing difcovers her name. The Becky, NAI Loft, of Whitby, is on !hare near this place—crew laved. 7he Sophia. Coos, of Whitby, is on Shore, near Saltburn—crew Paved. Many parts of this coaft are (hewed with wrecks of all defcriptions : feveral pieces of the wreck of a (hip, chats, and other things, came on (bore near Sands end, about five miles to the northward of this place, with the name of Ifabella, of North Shields, and it appears all hands are drowned, as none have made their appearance—a handfpike has alfo been watheel on (bore near this place, marked with a burnt iron en the four fides, Matilday. EXETER, NOVEMBER u. About one o'clock this morning, during the high gale,of winds the Enterprize brig, of this port, Lon- don trader, the property of Mr. JOHN Luxv, broke from her moorings at the (tray, and the wind being very high, fhe was carried with gueat rapidity dowu the river, and over Drew'h Weir, when the fell on her fide, and in that pnfition d&ifred below Belle ' ifle Marfh, where fhe now lie* a mere wreck. The mate and two boys were or; hoard--one of the latter wa; unfortunately drowned. Laft evening, tha middle arch of Feniton Bridge, on the road frumrhence to Honiton, Was carried away by the flood of water, and in the conrfe of the night the whole of the bridge was deilroyed. It is of con fiderable extent, 200 feet lung by Co wide, lately built at a g' eat expellee, and has not been completed more thin fix months. GREENOCK, NOVEMBER it. Arrived here on Monday the Montreal, HAR VIE, from Montreal in 32 days ; lett the Ann and Mary. Nl , Ewittc, and Hcpe, HENRY, loading for this port. and the Caledonia, for Ayr. A later f; am Wexford, dated 26th 05tober, lays : In t'ne violent norm which happened on Friday latl, the flip Elea, MACLELLAta matter, about no tons, from Greenock to Jamaica., with merchant goods, on her way to joir convoy 2t Cork, grounded on the North Bar, where fhe remained till Saturday morning, when, by the exerting' of the pilots from Rofilaro F9rt, the was happily got offport,wihwith o ut failed damag ro gGlalgow, M.lvse, o f this Drogheda fix weeks ago, and has not fince been heard of. FROM LLOYD's LIST. GRAVCSIND, Nev. tz.--Paffed by the Cabioer, Bov v f,n, f rom Virginia—lnduftry, Moore, .from Chad&Ron—Horne, Valentine, from Archangel—Elizabeth, Boehm) from Copenhagen ; and the Lady Head, Hill, from Malta. Sand the Adventure. Johnfon. fer ht. Vincent's; Mary Oberg, from Berbice ; At! qnic, Craig; Richard, Perrin ; Edward Foote, Jennings; Clare, d Al iti ; Ifle of 'fbanet, Aitken. Catharine, Peen ; Flora, Thompfoo Duke, Linder ; and the Mentor, Goodwin, for Jamaica . ARRIVED. In the Downs, the Harrell,.ll Parrot, from Virginia—At Wa terford, Truro. Roberts, from Phil :delphia--und .he Maria. an. tos, front Oporto—At Lifbon, Hawke, Baden. from Ponle--Pt. licidade, —, from Cork; Greyhound from Plymouth. Atalanta, Withycombe ; Indultry and tht Placentia, Wil kinfon, from Newioundland.—At Philadelphia, New Jerfey Crow from Liverpool—At at. Vincent's. Eliza rs. from Africa. The Brilliant, ---- from Oporto for London, is loft on Oporto Bar—part of the cargo favcd The Hannah, Davis, from London for Cork, is carried into the Downs, with the lois of her anchors and cables, her wincilas upfcs and othcr damage.