The Statesman. — London, England, 1812-09-09 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN. Majesty panted thig regiment the right of =Trying 1 an e.igle--a privilege it had not before enjoyed, ne ver hosing until this time been present in any battle. These recompenses, given on the field of battle, in the midst of the dead, the dying, the wounded, and Ilk tisophilis of victory, offered a spectacle truly miii taryand imposing. The enemy, after this battle, has precipitated hit !retreat in such a manlier, that on the day of the 20th our troops marched 10 leagues without being able to find the Cossacks, and were every where pick ing up the wounded and'the stragglers. Our loss in the battle of Valentina has been 600 I killed and '!600 wounded ; that of the enemy, as the field of battle shows, is triple : we have taken 1000 prisoners, mostly_ wounded. Thus the only two Russian divisions which had not suffered by the preceding combats of Mohilow, of Ostrovno, of Krasnoi, and of Smolensko, have new done it by the battle of Valentina. All the intelligence received, confirm the account . I of the enemy running in full drive for Moscow—that • ihis army has su ff ered much in the prece di ng en g a g e. ments, and besides this, experience a great desertion. The Poles say to them when deserting, " You have abandoned us without fighting, what right then can' you have to exact from us to remain under your co lours ?" The Russian soldiers of the provincesef Mohilow ; and of Smolensk° likewise take advantage of the proximity of their villages to desert and return, to repose themselves in their own countries. The division of Gudin attacked with so much is. i trepidity, that the enemy were persuaded it was the Imperial Guards. It is, in one word, to pronounce i the finest eulogy on the 7th regiment of light infan try, and on the 12th, 21st, and 127th of the line, who composed the division. The combat of Valentina may likewise be called a I battle, as more than 80,000 men were engaged. It was at least an affair of the vanguard of the first rank. General Grouchy, who was sent with his corps on I the route to Donkovichina, found all the villages filled up with dead and wounded, and has taken three carriages, containing 900 wounded. I The Cossacks have surprised at Leozna an hospital lof 200 sick Wirtemburg troops; which, through negligence, had not been forwarded to Witeplk. For the rest, in the midst of all these disasters, ' I the Russians never cease to chaunt Te Deanne! they ti conirert every thing into a victory, but in spite of the ignorance and brutality of these people, this begins Ito appear ridiculous to them, and even too groat BATTLE OF POLOTSK. After the battle of Drissa, the Duke of Reggio, knowing that the enemy's General, Wittgenstein, had been reinforced by twelve third battalions from the garrison of Dunaberg, and willing to draw him to an engagement near the defile below Polotsk, caused the 24 and 6th corps to be ranged in order of battle below Polotsk; General Wittgenstein fol lowed him, attacked him on the 16th and 17th, and was vigorously repulsed. The Bavarian division of Ds Wrede, of the 6th corps, has distinguished itself. At the moment when the Duke of Reggio was mak ing his dispositions to profit by the victory, and to close the enemy in the defile, he was struck on the shoulder by a Biscayen. His wound, which is of a serious nature, obliged him to cause himself to be transported to Wilna ; but it did not appear that he made himself iu any wise unquiet concerning the consequences. General Gouvion St. Cyr has taken the command of the ncl and 6th corps. On the 1 1 th, in the even ing, the enemy retired through the lefile. General RETORT TO THE MAJOR-OENZIAL. Verdier was wounded. General Mason I. is been re. MT LORD—I suppose that the Duke of Reggio cognised as General of Division, rat ha, succeeded •Il have rendered your Highness an account of the him in the command of his divisies. Our loss, i s es- day of the 17th, or at least up to the moment when timated at 1000 men killed and ',rounder! ' The loss I hi' wounds forced him to quit the field of battle; of the Russians is triple to ours; we h-va taken 500 1 during the rema i n d er o f t h at d ay th e troops con prisoners from them. tinned their successes, and at nine in the evening, On the 18th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, ' the Russians were repulsed at every point, after having Gen. Gouvion St. Cyr, commaadieg • ie 2tl and 6th suffered the most considerable losses, having attempt. corps, opened on the enemy, by t.ut.ng his, r i gh t ed. in the course of the day, six or seven attacks, wing to be attacked by the Bavarian divir em of which were repulsed with a bravery superior to Count de Wrede. The battle extended the whole the infatuation which brought them thither. This length of the line, and the enemy were thr wu into affair throws the highest honour on the division complete root and pue,eed r • two league' , as tong of Legrand, which was placed at the branching of as day-light peemittei ; 20 pieces of elution and the roads to Jebei and to Nevil ; and on the Bane- JOOO prisoners have remained in the power of the rian corps, placed en the left bank of the Poleta, French army. In the rear of the village of Spas, which the The Bavarian General, Deroy, was wounded. enemy was determined to retake, notwithstanding BATTLE OF VALENTIN 1- his having been driven out of it five or six times ; On the 19th, at break of day, the bridge being and the 20th division, as also General de Wrede, finished, the Marshal Dukeof Elchinget. crossed over who commanded it, have covered themselves to the right bank of the Borysthene a n ti pursued the NI ith glory. The Bavarian General, Vincenti, enemy. At one league from the town, he recon. who is entitled to praise for the manner in noitred the last column of the enemy's rear-guard.— which he conducted himself, was there wounded.— It was a division of sor 6000 men, stationed on fine In the evening of that day I felt the necessity of at. heights; be caused them to be attacked with the tacking the enemy. I took my measures for making bayonet by the -nth regiment of infantry of the Hue, the attack on the 18th, at four o'clock in the after. and by the 72d ditto. The position was carried, and noon ; I have performed impossibilities to deceive our bayonets covered the field of battle with dead; the enemy concerning my intentions. Towards one 3 or 400 prisoners fell into our hands. o'clock 1 caused the equipage of the army, which The flying enemy retired on the 2d column, which were in the rear of Polotsk, to file off on the left was posted on the heights of Valentina. The first bank of the Dwina, on the road to Oula. I made position was carried by the 10th of the line, and to- an appearance as if I would cause this movement to wards four o'clock in the afternoon the musketry fire be covered and protected by the troops which Mar. was kept up against the whole of the enemy's rear- shat the Duke of Reggio had caused to repass to the guard, which presented about 15,000 men. The left bank; in the night between the 16th and 17th Duke of Ahrantes had passed the Borysthene,at two they re-united behind Polotsk, at the tail of the o'clock, to the right of Smolensko, and he formed equipages; the division of cuirassiers arrived there himself close upon the rear of the enemy ; be might, from Semeneta ; and the brigade of light cavalry of therefore, by marching with his division intercept General Castex, from Rondina. , the great road to Moscow, and render the retreat of At three in the afternoon the column of baggage the rear-guard difficult; but meantime, the other had filed in sight of the enemy, and the troops above. columns of the enemy's army which remained to be mentioned repassed the Dwina with the greatest part forced, being informed of the success and of the ra. I of the French artillery, and entered Polotsk. pidity of the first attack, returned back the way About five o'clock all the troops and artillery were they came. Four divisions then advanced to support lin a position to debauch upon the enemy without their rear-guard, and, among others, the divishuis of !their even having observed our preparadosie At grenadiers, which, until now, had not come forward;l five, precisely, all the artillery opened its fire, end or 6000 melt, cavalry, formed their right, whilst 1 our columns of infantry debouched under Its probe,s their it•ft was covered by woods, filled with tirailleurs. i tion to attack the enemy's left and centre. Wrede's It e as of the greatest consequence to the enemy to I division debouched to the right of the village of Spas, keep the position as long as possible, it being a very l and attacked with great bravery and skill the one. fine one, and, apparently, inexpugnable. On our 1 my's left. General Deroy's division debauched by part, we attached no less importance to it, in order I the same village of Spas, Le-grand's division on the to accelerate his retreat and cause all the carriages . left of that village, connecting itself by its left to filled with wounded and other article., the evacua. ; Verdier's division, a brigade of which observed the ' , tion of which was protected by tre rear-guard. This , enemy's right, which was placed upon the read of was what gave rise to the battle of Vairt ina, one of , Gehenziliva ; Merle's division covered the front of the finest feats of arms in our Alit*: f history. I Polotsk l and part of its rear. At six o'clock in the evening -f ' division of ; The enemy, though completely surprised, quite' Gudin, which had been s- it forward to support the • confident in their superior force and immense utile third corps, from the moment whoe we perceived the levy, composed of 180 pieces, at first received our great succours that the enemy heel sent to his re-:- attacks with infinite calmness and gang froidr but guard, pushed forward a column on the centre el the' in the end, before night, their left was completely . enemy's position, was supported by the divi , ion of forced, and their centre totally rested, after having General Lesko, eau, after an hour's combat, forced defended their position with much bvevery'and great the position. General Count Gudin arriving with slaughter. We would have made a very great num. his division, was at the commencement of the action ber of prisoners, if the woods had'not been so near struck 17 a bullet, which carried cif his thighs he their position. died gloriously. His loss was sensibly felt. Gene. ' The enemy abandoned to us the field of battle, on. sal Gudin was one of the most distinguished Officers vered with an immense number of their killed, 110' its the army; he was estimable for his moral qualities pieces of cannon, and 1000 prisoners. On oar O. aft much as for his bravery and intrepidity. General ;we hive had some killed and wounded; among the Gitartthes taken the command f.l the division. We' latter are Generals Deroy sad Raelovitscb, and Col. reckon that the enemy have had eight Generals Colooge, commanding the Bavarian artillery. killtker wounded; one of their Generals is taktn I cannot sufficieutly eulogise Ilegnind l Weeds,' prisoner. Deity, Raelovitsc.h, and the Gement of • Avtilkry, • On the following day the Emperor distributed re., Asbry, who dilated the artillerraethia,Wl maps cempences on the field of battle to ull the regiments,' with great distioetiou. General Kerte, SAM isety. which had-distinguished themselves, and etthe 127th, ! part of his division, repulsed, with great filial!!, so Which is a newtegimeat v - had behaved itself weil l isis ' snag which &steamy made coons logy ;tis•roitsie their retreet to the wood. The Croats distinguished themselves in this charge, supported by a part of Generat Castries cavalry. In general, I demand the ' consideration of his Majesty ; the troops have merited encouragement and rewards. His Majesty will give me great pleasure by dispensing his favour on, M. De Maelle, my Aid-de.. Camp, the bearer of this letter, whose zeal I have every reason for praising. I have also nothing but enlogium to bestow upon the Chiefs of the2dand 6th corps.-1 have the honour to be your Highness's most obedient and very humble servant, Count GOUVION ST. CTR. (Monileur, Sept. r.) (TURTRZR EXTRAC/IS RECEIVED Tall MORNING.] RETORT OP THE /MINER OF EcLISUHL TO THE PRINCE MAJOR-GENERAL, DOURROSYNA, AUGUST 7. MONSEIGKEUR,—I have the honour to lay before your Highness the report of the affair which took I REPORT or THE ortarkg. start or vut LIIITZIA, place on the 23d of July, in front of Mohilow, be .l tween a part of the troops belonging to the Ist corps, easy. The enemy, forced into the date of Losibred and the Russian corps under Prince Bagration. marched the whole of the *be between the 10th I entered Mohilow on the 20th, and on the 21st l and 11th, towards Hormisteta; Ott was j oined the third reg.iment of chasseurs was attacked by the his retreat by the troops which he had drawn from vanguard of Prince Bagration, who wished to occupy Kebry this important town. The regiment Lost 100 men, and, as likewbe by tatderaci t orot et Keed,ing. and were driven out. , and after having passed the defile of ff oro d e t z k at he placed himself on the heights beyond that piece. 1 Old the std, I placed its positiou the 83d regiment The right were covered by a morass, which was impassable f or dank, and the front. of this position of infantry of tha line, commanded by Gen. Freda. , rid General !legation was arrived at Novel more than a thousand paces is brae , " aid l _„ two points open to get at the enemy; that is only Brickow. We intended giving battle in order tosa y , the dike which at Horodetzka forms the post road. enter Mohilow. He had four divisions of infantry, bein g in the This post is near to that of Podubna • its left touched 5000 Cossacks, and 8000 cavalry, whole 35,000 men. I had at Mohilow only the this last village, and he had en - n ' his artillery, t p, by 57th, 6 tst, and 111th regiments of the division Of the entreate to the two defiles. Campans (the 23d, together with the brigade of Pa. On the 11th, I marched to Horodeska, and one.. jol and the Ist of chasseurs, I had left on the Bere- 1 pied the bead of the defile. The 7th corps, reinforced zina, to cover Minsk) ; the 85t h and the 108th of .b y two reg i ments o f cava l ry, an d two batteries upon the division Dessaix, General Valence's division of Szabia, reconnoitred the enemy. The reports of cuirasseurs, and the 3d of horse chasseurs. The po. prisoners and deserters state their force at 50,000; Isition of Salta Naeika, of which I herewith transmit they certainly were at least 35,000, with 60 pieces your Highness a sketch, appeared to me a proper of cannon. Tormasow commanded in person. Gen, charged with reconnoitring the the 22d, I caused the bridge, which lies on the grand ' place for duly receiving the enemy. In the night of Regnier, who was char i left of the enemy, found that they had neglected to route, I to he barricadoed, and to destroy the inn i occupy Podubna, and that their left wing was con. which is situated next to it. The Mill Bridge on the ! tent with observing a wood through which the road right was cut by a company of sappers, and the ', passes from Szereszin to Kobryn, in place of leaning houses in the neighbourhood pulled down. The 85th . upon that town. He made haste in taking advantage was charged with the defence of these parts, and in : of this double fault, in taking possession of Po. 1 case of being attacked to keep them, in order to i dubna, with a division of chasseurs; and it was give time for the other troops stationed between this , agreed between us, that he should debouch with the place and Mohilow to arrive. I i 7th corps and reinforcements, which I had assigned These dispositions being taken, I myself retired to I hi m , by th e woo d, t o a tt a ck and turn the enemy's Mohilow to press the arrival of the division Clape• i e 1 ft, whilst I should support his movements by cede, and of the troops detached by Gen. Pajol. feigned attacks upon Horedetzka and Podebna. On the 2 3 d, at 7 o'clock in the morning, I re - At the same time Sieginthal's division, previously ceived a report of the advanced-posts being attacked. ! detached to Mentz, leaving a battalion and some ea. At eight o'clock, I found the 83d regiment very spi- ; " s hy to observe that part, to protect our rear, and ritedly attacked ; Gen. Frederichs, who commanded ! conceal our march from the enemy, rejoined the it, had taken good dispositions, and during tne wholei corps ( p arol e es and was placed in ?mem of the of the day had shown much coolness and great mire.; 7th, near vi a , pidity. The light artillery of his division, and that ; On the 12th, we remarked, at break of day, of the 85th, had been disposed on the preceding i that the enemy, from whom none of our movements evening. Their fire was very murderous ; and in ' could be concealed, became they occupied the corn. about an boor after the combat bad began, they had j mann% heights, had placed the /Teeter part of their already killed above 500 Russians. Twelve or 15 ; forces opposite the deboache of Podubne, and whilst pieces of Russian artillery came out of the wood, ' the 7th corps, to which was joined Lebienberg's bri. and were ranged in order of battle on the Mill plain, gade, commenced its movements towards the wood The Russian had h were t h e br id ge been d estroye d . . upon its left, and hastily formed with the 2d line a, regiments of infantry formed themselves. A batty-; parallel flank to the debauches from that wood., lion of the 108th was sent to sustain the companies i About ten o'clock in the morning, the seventh of the 85th, which were on the bridge ; some corps reached the skirts of the wood, and rapidly pieces of artillery were opposed to those et; advanced to gain the ground necessary for deploy. the Russians. The combat became exceeding live-; l og , which it effected in the greatest order; a con. ly on this side, and the enemy's force in- i tinual and drandful fire from the enemy, who, on kb Icreased with every movement. The battalion of the ; part, did not cease to reinforce and extend thdr 1108th, which had repulsed the. Russians, was obliged ! dank, ito yield to numbors. General Guyaidet, with ta oI us the that ft touched oar right, which took from power of taming it, reducing all our efforts I battalions of the 61st, stopped the enemy's pursuit , 1 t o repulse their reiterated attacks, and driving them and caused the Russians to repass the ravine, who hack vion their centre. had crossed it in pursuing the battalion of the 108th. The 1-:-......., quickly became general at Floredittra t Whilst these things were passing on the right, I ge'; e I., labna, and upon all the right. It was &welted orders to Gen. Frederichs, who defended the ilebouC:te with er^it ' -alter; the enemy redoubled their eq. of the great road with much rigour, to cause one bat. tallow of the 108th, and some companies of the 35th, to forts and made several very brisk attacks t o drivels ta I into the wood; they were constantly repelled with pass the defile, and charge the enemy's cantica.-1 I This movement, which was execeevi with great-pre. ( loss; I eeized the critical moment when their att ack upon oar sight was the briskest, to pass over the vision, and directed by Colonel Achard, of the 108th regiment, had a great effect on the motions of the , marsh, which they considered impracticable , a ba t. 1 talion of Colloredo, above and on the right of Podnbna. enemy's left, which found itself obliged to make a i This battalion effected its passage in front, up to their retregade movement. The battalion, comm inded by I knees in mire, scaled the opposite heights, and ire Colonel Achard, had taken prisoners Oat. of the ene- , petuously attacked the enemy who were on its sem- I my's battalions, but which wa3 afterwards delivered. mit. This unexpected attack on the flank facilitated The Colonel was wounded by a ball across his arm,' that.of our right, which, quickly reinforced by the td and could not sustain himself on the heights which he I b a ttalion of Colloredo, was not long in repulsing had occupied. the enemy to the height of Podubea. The enemy had caused a considerable body to ad- They nevertheless attempted at the extremity of vance, formed in a close column, again to under- the left—a hmt effort, and made with a mass of ca. ' take forcing the dale of the bridge. This found- to r y, a very superior derseirr attack upon that of Itself in the direction of the Chef d'Escadron, Polemy s ' our right, which firmly expected it ; and whilst the who had stopped it by a very lively fire, and caused Austrian cavalry took them in flank Polents's Saxon it to sustain a great loss. The enemy's number in t brigade charged them in front, and, i ns t a ntly drove dead, which at this point wa s v e r y considerable, was ; them behind their infantry. Night put an end to the thereby doubled. battle ; the enemy took advantage of it to file off The action was continued with great heat on both his artillery and main part of histroops open K olo y o, sides, and with a great inferiority on our side.-1 and abandoned to us the field of battle. Another The ether troops were in reserve on our right, where' hoar's day-light they would have lost their cow it was to be presumed that the enemy would bring , muoication, and been drove upon the marshes. _ forward his force, and more especially his numerous I On the 13th, I pursued, with all the cavalry and cavalry. Towar d s six o'clock in the evening, all : light artillery, the enemy's rear-guard, competed , . 1 my reconnoitring parties on the right not having seen ' f rom se ven to eight thousand cavalry and dismounte d the enemy, the troops which had been there kept in chanters, with some artillery. We found upon reserve, and in particular the Illth, were directed to fi e ld of battle a great number of dead and dy ing; e take the great road. General Frederichs received and dotwitlistanding the celerity of our pursuit, w e. orders to renew his attack ; a battalion of the 35th, which, since evening, had been placed at the is- Stricheit, where it made a demonstration of de nd i. could not reach the rear-guard till near the villa g e _ . t . tremity of the right wing, and one of the 61st at- fog itself ; but they were instantly overthrown , and tecked,the left of the enemy. The two attacks were owed their salvation, alone to the marshes, wh ic h f in attended with success. The enemy drew back his these countries intersect in a artillery, and his troops followed the movement at, place to place, their retreat, and form se many de pantile! direction, r! all points. The 111th regiment itna the aim of the files, that it is impossible to turn near them. 00. Sth division, led by General Compans, were charged ' About one o'clocksve arrived at Kobryn; the ethat to pursue the Gaddy u far as Norosieleki. were suicide TO night put an end .to the pursuit at this place. ' town some discharges of artillery set fi re to the I owe the greatest eulogies+. to - the *conduct of the drive t hem (War , On fidiriDE . ;my had displayed a numerous cavalry before t to they _ n ,... troops, end perticalarly to that of the illith regiment. bridge of Machinate; our tiralleurs arrive d . i a s c o t : . Not one soldier ever quitted his post to conduct the lletent time to preserve it. — ra p e d on the wee:t i ded, and both the young soldiers and the old pies Kobrya; th e , 7th awls is w r. "' ,_A ones have shown the greatest valour. The ancient right, the Anstriens on the left of that town, melee . 10 filIffrhlure Olen . their youthfal comrades the ho. ' the Stoebarbe ; theenemy arein full retreat toast& •Blanchis's division .... •ecidrairld 'testimonial of oat herbs' may co:writ*: Ratan .apd its mambos. The different reports not =erg in their res i e wor, .3. .. 4 . ... ~ . i h ay i ng t ig et i t im a r s I moot Tay exactly estimate a , , . -- - 7-4 Army shown greater intrepidity than in this cam- Montteur, Sept. 5). FOURTEENTH BULLETIN OF THE FRENCH ARMY. kooleauku, Aug. ARMY. Smolensko may be considered a one of the finest cities of Russia: had it not been for circumstances of the war which has carried thither the f.re and con sumed immense magazines of ccaniial merchandlise and goods of all kinds, this cih would have been a grand resource for the army. Even is I,s present state, it may be othe greatest utility in a military point of view. There are still large houses remain ing, whlat air fine' places for formieg hospitals.— The province of Smolensko is very tine and fertile, • and furnished with great resources for subsistence and forage. The Russians intend, according to the eveuts of the war, to raise a militia of peasant slaves, whom they have armed with bad pikvk,. They had already selected about 5000 of them at this place, it I was an object of raillery and derision even to the Russian army itself. They had already stated, as the Order of the Day, that Smolensk() was to be the grave of the French, and that although it bad been deemed convenient to evacuate Poland, yet it was necessary to give battle at Smolensko, to prevent this barrier of Russia from falling into our hands. . The Cathedral of Smolensko is one of the most ce lebrated Grecian churches in all Russia. The Epis copal Palace forms a kind of town by itself. The heat Is excessive, the thermometer having risen to 26 degrees ; the weather hen is much hatter than in Italy.—(Monitestr, Sept. 5.) The loss of the enemy has been great. They left more than 1200 dead on the field of battle, exclusive of leaving 4000 wounded, 7 or 800 of whom have remained in our hands. Our 10%, according to the state of the corps, amount to 900 men killed, wound. ed, or made prisoners. I reiterate the eulogies which I owe to the con. duct of General Frederichs, and to all the Officers et the General Staff, who have paid well in their pe r . sons; one of them, Aid-de-(*lp to General Maxe y was killed. I take advantage of this °cession to beg pour Highness would request his blajesty . to grant recom. peaces for several of them, and herewith join the state of tbess to that of ,the officers, 6 mb-46m/s l ant privates of the fourth and fiftla Aitifisal who have merited to be cited with distinctive. I solicit your Highness to lay these statements before his Majesty, and to request his favour ea their behalf., I am, 6c. (SWIM) The Mantel Pointe IWISCKMUUL " r E r 1 t '1 } 1 ' I