The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-12-27 00:00:00

SPAIN.
RETRACT OF A LETTER rams AR orricri

DATED OCT. 3,1809.
Soon after 1 last wrote to you, see we
into a wood, near Abrantes, where se
about a month ; when we marched op t'
Whether we should meet with the Fre
was a matter of uncertainty, as they le
We passed through Braaco. io Portugal.

place the French had retreated. We red
about a fortnight, to recruit our strong
a plentiful supply of provisions, which
great need of, having been short of brei
a week. On our leaving this place, WI
cient provisions with us, till we arrived
where the French had been quarter
time, but marched out on the morning
we entered, in the afternoon. The
bakers prisoners, whom we had sent fa
town, not knowing the French were th
pare bread for us. The French also I
bowed in the town with them.
. The second day after our arrival ii
lite Spanish army joined us ; and the fa
we were inspected by General Cuesta.
,;flleneral ; he appeared highly pleased
pesrance. The next day we marched I
We had only marched a few miles, who
a dreadful firing from great guns in
advanced guard met the French advai
and made them retreat to their main
they formed • line, on a large plain, to
Spaniards, not knowing the British
so near, led off the road, and hal
army came up, but it is supposed
saw us coming, as they theoght pi
treat. The rood was covered with fib
men, whom our advanced guard
is they were retreating. The Free
several miles beyond Tistavera; mewl
follow them for wont of provisions. W
out food for one day, and it was not li
should get •ny by following them, a
every thing before them as they marcho
cept the bombes in the towns; and the
gained no object by burning these, as t
betted by the inhabitants. We march'
curing some provisions, to engage the
'found they had retreated again above tl
fiend we were unable ter follow the'
of food, for we were, literally; half-sh
days, having but a little provision, ant
we were, in ceowquener, obliged to
oar old groand, where we remained
wheithe French, having received frts
'lanced towards us to give me engage
advanced guard, in consetprenee, ret
main army. The two wanks met
alien a most dreadful firing Ceram
sides. It is impossible to deamibe ti
the engagement. It lasted ,near
when it became quite dark, cod the
on both sides. There were Averreat
the night. At day-light the bath
again. My brigade, and arteigi, oc
high hill, with three pieces of artillei
French appeared determined n Jto"tek
tog ; and made three attempts,: but o
The French are daring fellows; kiwi
the bill, in the greatest order posahle
fellows were blown to pietea,' within a
the month of our artillery ; we at It
them -town the hill, when a most diva(
ensued on both sides ; .it is import:lbl
numbers that were killed, but"' knb
above one hundred and fifty titen3el
regiment, in lees than tea iabiates:
actly half our grenadiers. We drot
in the greatest disorder, till we were
treat for more ammudition. The ba
• little better then an hour, during
collected our wounded, and put the
house. This was a most horrible
dreda of legs and arms, were seen ly
sticks in • wood. The battle come
and lasted till near dark, when the Fe

The next morning, the malt of th
seated a mn.t dreadful sight, at level
souls lay deed and wounded; on the
four miles. Werematned there levy
we again were obliged to retreat, fe
visions ; we marched back a very dift
the purpose of getting prom-tone, till
Moistego. when we quartered. five
house; this was the first tirwe we sl,
for several mouths pad. We know
be done with us next. It is true. I
hying vi.huixled ; hut what w;th h,
! .dog, and Iptig, I am neatly It ;ltd.