The National Register.
London, England, 1812-06-21 00:00:00

iIiNF 21.

Ribero., the picquets of I.ieut.-Gen. Sir William Erskine's division of
cavalry, which had remained in Lower Estremadura, with a part of
the 2el division of infantry, and 1 ieut.-Gen. Hamilton's division of
infantry. Marshal Soult likewise moved from the blockade of Cadiz
rewards Cordova ; and the troops which had marched from Sea ille
into the Condado de Niebla, returned to Seville nearly about the same
time ; but Lieut.-Gen. Sir Rowland Hill had attained his ob]ect on
the 19th, and had returned to Truxillo, and was beyond ad risk of
being attacked by a superior force on the 21st. The ent my's troops
have retired into Cordova.
Since the accounts have been received of Lieut.-Gen. Sir Rowland
expedition, the enemy's troops have likewise been put in motion
in Old and New Castile ; the Ist division, under General Fey, and a
division of the army of the centre under General !)'Armagnac, crossed
the Tagus by the bridge of Arzoblspo on the 21st, and have moved
by the road of Deleytosa, to relieve or withdraw the post which still
remained in the Tower of Mirabete.
The whole of the army of Portugal have likewise made a move-
ment to their left; the 21 division being on the Tagus, and Marehal
Marmont's head-quarters have been removed from Salamanca to Fon-
tieros.
By a letter from Sir Howard Douglas, of the 24th instant, I Tarn
that the troops under General Bennet, after having made two plunder-
ing excursions towards the frontiers of Galicia, had again entered the
Asturias, and was on the I.7th in possession of Oviedo, Gijon, and
Grado.
In the meantime the troops under General Mendizahel are in posses.
sion of the town of Burgos, the enemy still keeping the Castle ; and
in all parts of the country the boldness and activity of the chiefs of
Guerillas are increasing ; and their operations against the enemy are
becoming daily more important. I forward this dispatch by Major
Currie, Aide-de-Camp to Lieut.-Gen. Sir Rowland Hill, whom I beg
leave to recommend to your Lordship's notice and protection.
Truxillo, May 21, 1812.
Mt LORD—I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that
your instructions relative to the capture and destruction of the enemy's
works at Altnarez, have been most fully carried into effect by a de•
tachment of troops under my orders, which marched from Almendra-
lejo on the 12th instant. The bridge was, as Your Lordship knows,
protected by strong works thrown up by the trench on both sides of
the river, and further covered on the southern side by the Castle and
redoubts of the Mirabete about a league off, commanding the pass of
that name, through which runs the road to Madrid, being the only one
passable for carriages of any description by which the bridge can be
approached.
I The works on the left bank of the river were a ate-du-pont, built of
masonry, and strongly entrenched, and on the high ground above it,
a large anti well-constructed fort, called Napoleon, with an entrench-
ment, and loopholed tower in the centre. This fort contained nine pieces
of cannon, with a garrison of between four and live hundred men.
There being also en the opposite side of the river, oil a height imme-
diately above the bridge, a very complete fort recently constructed,
which flanked and added much to its defence.
On the morning of the 16th, the troops reached laraicejo, andthe same
evening marched in three columns ; the left column commanded by
Lieutenant-General Chowne (28th and 34th Regiments, under Colonel
Wilson, and the 6th Portuguese Cacadores), towards the castle of Mi-
rabete; the right column, under Major—General Howard (50th, 71st,
and 92d Regiments), which 1 accompanied myself, to a pass in the
mountains, through which a most difficult and circuitous foot-path leads
by the village of Romengordo to the bridge ; the centre column, under
Major-General Long (6th and 18th Portuguese infantry, under Colonel
Ashworth, and 13thilight dragoons, with the artillery), advanced upon
the high road to the pass of Mirabete. The two flank columns were
provided with ladders, and it was intended that either of them should
proceed to escalade the forts against which they were directed, had
circumstances proved favourable ; the difficulties, however, which each
had to encounter on its march were such, that it was impossible for
them to reach their respective points before day-break ; I judged it
best, therefore, as there was no longer a possibility of surprise, to defer
the attack until we should be better acquainted with the nature and po-
sition of the works, and the troop biouvacked on the Leina.
I determined on endeavouring to penetrate to the bridge by the moun-
tain path leading through the village of Romangordo, although, by that
means, 1 should be deprived of the use of my artillery.
_ On the evening of the 16th 1 moved with Major-General Howard's
brigade, and the 6th Portuguese regiment for the operation, provid-
ed with scaling ladders, &c. Although the distance marched did not
exceed five or six miles, the difficulties of the read were such, that with
the
united exertions of officers and men, the column could not belermed
fort the attack before daylight. Confiding, however, In the valour of
h
etroops, I ordered the immediate assault at Fort Napoleon. My
confidence was fully justified by the event.
I lae Ist battalion of the 50th, and one wing of the 71st regiment,
regardless of the enemy's artillery and musketry, escaled the wofk
_n
three places, nearly at the same time. The enemy seemed at brat
determined and his fire was destructive, but the ardour 'of our troops
wasirresistible and the garrison was driven at the point of the bayonet,
through the several intrenchments of the fort and the-du-pont, across
the bridge, which having been cut by those on the opposite aide of the
river, ma •
laY leaped into the river and dill(' pa-liked.

;

377

The impression made upon the gnemy's troops was such, that panic
soon communicated itself to those on the right bank of the river, and
Fort Ragusa was instantly abandoned, the garrison flying in the great-
est confusion towards Naval Moral.
I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of the 50th and 71st regi-
ments, to whom the assault tell. The cool and steady manner in which
they formed and advanced, and the intreeidity with which they
mounted the ladderss and carried the place, was worthy of those distin-
guished corps, and the Officers who led them.
Could the attack have been made before day, the Wel Rteiment„
underLieutenant-Colonel Cameron, and the remainder of the ist reg'—
ment, under the Honourable Lieut.-Colonel. Cadogan, were to have
escaled the Cie-the-pont, and effected the destruction of the bridge, at
the same time that the attack was made on Fort Napoleon. The int.
possibility of advancing deprived them of this opportunity of-distin-
guishing themselves, but the share which they bad in the operation,
and the zeal which they displayed, eiititles them to my-warmest com-
mendation, and I cannot avcid to mention the steadiness and good
discipline of tke 6th Portuguese infantry, and two companies of the 60th
regiment, under Colonel Ashworth, which formed the reserve to this
attack.
Our operations in this quarter were much favoured by a diversion
made by Lieut.-General Chowne, with the troops under his ordere,
against the castle of iViirabete, which succeeded in inducing the enemy
to believe that we should not attack the forts near the bridge, until
we had formed the pass, and thus have trade way for our artillery. The
Lieut.-General conducted this operation, as well as his former advance,
entirely to my satisfaction. I regret much that the peculiar Ntmation
of Mirabete should have prevented my allowing the gallant corps under
his orders to follow up an operation which :hey had commenced with
much spirit, and were so anxious to complete.
I cannot too strongly express how much I am sitisfled whit the con-
duct of Major-General Howard through the whole of this cperatien,
the most arduous part of whist' has fallen to his share; arid parti-
cularly of the manner in which he led his brigade to the assault. lie
was assisted by his staff, Brigade. Major Wemyss, of the 50th, and
Lieut. Battersby, of the 2d Light Dragoons.
To elaeor-General Long I am also indebted for his assistance, although
his column was not immediately engaged.
• Lieut.-Colonel Stewart and Major Harrison, of the 50th, and Major
Cother, of the 71st, commanded the three attacks, and led them in a
most gallant and spirited manner.
I have received the greatest assistance from Lieut.-Colonel Dickson,
of the Royal Artillery, who, with a brigade of twenty-four-pounders,
a company of British and one of I'ortaguese artillery, your Lordship
was pleased to put under my orders; circumstances did not permit
his guns beide hrotieht into pLay • but his exertions, and those of his
officers and men during the attack and destruction of the place, were
unwearied. In the latter service I.ieut. Thiele, of the Royal German
artillery, was blown up ; and we have to regret in him a most gallant
officer; he had particularly distinguished himself in the assault. Lieut.
Wright, of the Royal Engineers, has also rendered me very essential
service; he is a most intelligent, gallant, and meritorious officer; and I
must not omit also to mention I teat. Hillier, of the eeth regiment,
whose knowledge of this part of the country proved of great assistance.
Your Lordship will observe, from the return of ordnance and stores
which I have the honour to enclose, that Almarez has been considered
by the enemy in the light of a most important station; and I am happy
to state that its eestruction has been most complete. The towers of
masonry which were in Forts Napoleon and Ragusa have been en-
tirely levelled ; the ramparts of both in great measure destroyed; and
the whole apparatus of the bridge, together with the workshops, ma-
gazines, and every piece of timbes which could be Wind, entirely des-
troyed.
A colour, belonging to the fourth battalion of the Corps Etranger,
was taken by the 71st regiment, and I shall have the honour of forward.
ing it to your Lordship.
Our loss has not been severe, considering the circumstances under
which the attack was made. I enclose a list Of the killed and wounded.
Captain Candler, of the 50th regiment, (the only Officer killed in the
assault) has, 1 am sorry to say, left a large family to deplore hisj loss.
He was one of the first to mount the ladder, and fell upon the per:l-
-pet, after giving a distinguished example to his men.
I have had frequent occasions to mention to your Lordship in terms
of the highest praise the conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Rooke, Assis-
tant Adjutant-General. During the whole period I have had a separate
command in this country. that Officer has been with sue, and rendered
most essential service to my corps; on the present expedition he has
eminently distinguished himself, and I beg leave particulerly.to notice
his conduct. Your Lordship is also aware of the merits of Lieutenaiit-
Colonel Offerey, my Assistant Quarter-Master•General, of whose: va-
luable aid I have been deprived during the latter part of this 'expedi-
tion. Though labouring under severe illness, he accompanied me, to
the serious detriment of his health, and until it was totally impractica-
ble for tam to proceed. Capt. Thorn, Deputy Assistant-Quarter-Mase
ter-General, succeeded to his duties; and lam indebted to ben for his
assistance, and also to Major Hill and my personal Staff.
'File Marquis de Almeida, Member of the Junta of Estrernadm a, has
done me the honour to accompany me, since I have been in the pro•
vince ; 1 have received from him, as well as from the people, the most
ready and effectual assistance which it was in their power to bestow,.

~+.