The National Register. — London, England, 1812-08-23 00:00:00

AVG. 23i BATTLE OF SALAMANCA. (EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.) Salamanca, July 26. You will be glad, no doubt, to have a few details respecting the battle of Salamanca, which has been in every respect the most bril liant affair this or any British army has been engaged in. 1 will not attempt to give you all the different movements, but to point out the leading features which have characterised this glorious day. The enemy having been reinforced, made a feint to cross the Dnuro, at Toro; but immediately when he thought Lord Wellington's at tention was directed to that point, pushed along the right bank to Tordesillas, and in the night crossed his whole army at and near that place. The allied army moved to Canisal, with an advance to Cos tragon ; and the advanced posts came in contact at the litter on the morning of the 19th, and the enemy actually cannonaded us into the position of Canisal ! On the evening of the 20th, Marshal Marmont moved his whole army by their left, with an intention of turning our right fl ank. This way done just before dark ; and when day broke next morning, he had the satisfaction of finding the British line drawn out opposite, and ready either to fight or to manoeuvre, as he chose. He again pro ceeded by his left, and of course Lord Wellington kept pace with Mtn, which presented an extraordinary sight ; two large armies marching parallel to each other as if by mutual consent, and occa sionally cannonading each other as opportunities offered. This flank movement continued for upwards of three leagues, when the aliies halted about that distance from the position in front of Salamanca, and the French continued their route to pass the Tormes at Alba and Huerta. This they did on the 21st, and Lord W. on the evening of that day, likewise passed the river, and took up a position, covering the town of Salamanca, and defending the Ciudad Rodrigo road. We encamped late at night in the most tremendous thunderstorm I ever witnessed, which added to the picturesque effect of the scene; but could not he exactly styled as Buonaparte did the one which oc curred when he crossed the Danube, " the forerunner of a day glo rious to the French army." So violent was the efnct of the thunder. storm, that upwards of fifty dragoons were maimed by the cavalry horses breaking loose; many of the latter galloped off in all directions, and sonic never returned. At day-light on the 22d, the enemy began skirmishing in our front, and their columns of infantry and cavalry were seen in motion, appa rently still moving to the left. We had a wood in our front, and the enemy having one directly on his left, his movements were in some measure concealed from us, and rendered doubtful. But upon getting more extended to his left, we had a clear view of the movements of his columns. Marniont then commenced manoeuvring, and endea voured by the uncertainty of his motions to distract Lord Welling ton's attention, and draw our force to points where he only meant to threaten. But there Lord W. sheweld himself more than equal to the French Marshal, and- counteracted all his plans. We had a deal of cannonading during the whole forenoon. At one point the artillery of our division commenced operations upon some heavy columns of the enemy, and the long six-pounders sent the shot into the very centre of them. They moved farther off, judging, no doubt, that the better part of valour was discretion. This sort of work continued the whole forenoon, and we lost con siderably from the cannonade which they incessantly kept up upon one or other part of the line. About two o'clock we were ordered to move to the right, and form in two lines upon the flank of the 4th di. vision, becoming by this means the right of the whole line of infantry, with the exception of the tsd division. We made this movement under a heavy tire of shot and shells from the heights opposite, which the - enemy had pushed on, and taken possession of. Now arrived the critical movement which decided the fate of the French army. Lord Wellington found the enemy still continuing to -open to his left ; their impertinence in cannonading us put him out of all patience • and when an officer arrived wi t h i n f ormat i on t h at t h e enemy were still further oil; going to their left, he said, " Then, by God ! we will attack them." These words tell like a thunderbolt on the French army; and in three hours they were in flight and con. fusion in all directions, and those very guns which had been firing upon us on their way to Salamanca, were escorted by British soldiers into Salamanca. The 13(1 division, under General Pakenham, wheeled forward their right, and came upon the left flank of the enemy; while the sth on their left, in two lines, advanced up the hill, upon which were formed the enemy's columns, under cover of their gun;. Lord Wel lington's words to one of our Generals were instantly put in execu tion—" You will attack thtm, and drive them to the devil." Shot, shells, grape, and musketry, could not unsteady the step, or waver the line of British infantry ; nor did they even fire a shot until within about forty yards of the enemy, whose columns had formed into squares, and received them, the moment they surmounted the brow of the hill, with a fire of musketry, which was but once returned; the line gave one general cheer, and dashed into the midst of the enemy; they broke, and gave way, and the heavy cavalry rushing through the interval between us, and the Sd division charged them, and added to the panic and slaughter. The 4th division on our lett met with a flank fire, and were compelled to retire; but the tith (in reserve) coming up, carried the height had they attacked. I 4:t het 625 than this, as to the detail of the business, I cannot give an account, except that every point was successively forced, and the French-army put to the rout. An eagle and two standards, with four pieces of cannon, were taken by the sth division. Not an hour did it require to put the thing in execution ; it was absolutely like electricity : the people who were lying down, endea vouring to avoid the elfeets of a heavy cannonade, sprung upon their legs as if touched by a magic wand, and without any alteration of po. sition, without any formation whatever, the British line instantly advanced up the heights, and drove every thing before them to pieces: and that same army which with so much bravado had an noyed, and apparently bullied us, were turned upon, defeated, and pat to Bight. Nothing was wanting but the word,—and Marmont brought it upon himself. Lord W. says, "he forced me to lick him." It was impos:.ible to have seen fellows go at the enemy as our soldiers did, without being enthusiastic. Victory never could have been doubtful. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. ILLUAIIN.472 - ONS, 4c. On Monday night, a g•neral awl brilliant illumination took place, accompanied with the most genuine and unmixed demonstrations of j.)y on the part of the public, in commemoration of the splendid vic— tory of Salamanca. The public offices were con:piculously lighted up on the occasion, and " WELLINGTON" in all the blaze and bril liancy of illumination, shone i►n every street, whilst the air resounded with acclamations and cries of the illustrious hero's name. Lord Wellesley went out on Monday night, in a plain carriage, to view the illuminations, and near the Admiralty was recognised by the people, who proposed to draw his carriage, which he endeavoured to dissuade them from carrying into effect, excusing himself with many expressions of thanks. They suffered him to proceed towards White hall, but on his return to Charing-cross they took off his horses, and drew his carriage along the Strand, Fleet-street, &c. to St. Paul's and the Mansion-house, and back again by the way of Pall Mall, St. James's-street, and Piccadilly, to A psley-house. The carriage was followed by an immense crowd, who halted frequently for the purpose of cheering the name of Lord Wellington, and of haranguing Lord Wellesley in the language of warm congratulation. His Lordship repeatedly addressed the multitude. He stared shortly, but with great fierce, the eminent services of his gallant brother in India as well as in Europe, and the prominent features of his character, which had obtained for him the unanimous esteem and love of his army, and the applause which his countrymen were then bestowing upon him.— They might applaud him, he said, for his attention to the comfort, and wants of his men,—his care of his wounded,—his attention to the sufferings of our allies,—and his humanity to the enemy when subdued or captured. _ _ _ On arriving at A psley-house, Lord Wellesley took leave by return. irg thanks ter the gratifying marks of attention he had received; assuring them at the same time, that he had not the vanity to apply them in the smallest degree to himself personally. Upon which the mob shouted, " we mean them for you too." " 1 receive them then." said Lord W. " as the most unequivocal proofs of public spirit—of zealous attachment for your Prince—of loyalty to . your King—and of love for the true interests of your country. 1 receive them as a most' grt:fying proof of your opinion, that the services of Lord Wellington, of myself, and of my family, have always been directed to maintain the honour and dignity of the Crown, and to the promotion of your best interests." On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the illuminations were re newed, and the demonstrations of joy were universal. The windows of several persons, who omitted to illuminate, were broken by the mob. Among the transparencies attracting notice, was one at Mr. Steul's, a butcher, in Charles-street, Westminster, having the words, " Fat and lean for Englishmen, and BON v-parte fur Frenchmen." The respectable part of the community, in several parts of the town, were prevented from enjoying the sight of the illumination, anel parti cipating in the general joy that prevailed on Monday night, by a set ut idle apprentice boys, and fellows of the lowest descripti o n, w h o were continually letting eV fireworks, firing off blunderbusses, mus9uets, and pistols, among crowds of spectators, who were quietly gazing at' the illuminations. A musquet burst in Spring-gardens, opposite the . Spanish Ambassador's house, but we did not hear of any serious mis chief being done. The most outrageous conduct took place in St. James's-street and Piccadilly, in both of which places most of the houses were extremely well lighted; and this scene continued till near one o'clock, when most of the families went to hed; however, soon after that time, an immense mob came calling out for lights, which had but a little time before been burning brilliantly ; the inhabitants got from their beds, and chewed candles in their night linen only ; this did not satisfy the mob, who began to I itmolish the wind° vs with sticks, brick-bats, stones, &c. Some r nes in Mr. Coutts's house, which cost 41. 10s. a square, were bi, ke: several windows in Sir Francis Butdett's were demolished. 'I his disgraceful scene lasted! till past three o'clock. The damage c oue is estimated at sor 6001. Bacon, and his party of the patrole, were stationed in that n,:ighbour.. hood to keep order; but the mob was so large, that it was impossible to repress it. however, they butt upon three of the ringleaders,who were particularly active in throwing brick-bats and stones, and ar a convenient opportunity seized them ; when there was a. general sirg