The National Register.
London, England, 1811-06-16 00:00:00

NATIONAL REG

Camp near Usngre, Two A. M. May 26, 1811.
SIR—As will have been stated to you yesterday verbally by
the Officer I sent for that purpose, I have the honour to acquaint

you, that having, as I before reported, driven the enemy's rear
guard from Usagre, I occupied that post ou the night of the 24th,
by placing the Spanish troops in front of the town, with their
tiradores wt.ll in adva.lce towards the enemy, and the Portu-
guese and British cavalry, with the four six-pounders, in rt.ar
of the place ; a small brook, hollow and deep ravine, and narrow

defile being on this site of the town. About six o'clock yester-

day morning it was reported to me that the enemy's cavalry
were advancing in force; and that there was reason to believe
they were accompanied by artillery and infantry; conceiving
reports might exaggerate the fact, and nct wishing to yield the
post to inferior numbers, the 13th Light D:•agoons and Colonel
Otway's Portuguese brigade of cavalry were ordered across the
ravine to the left of the town, through the narrow fords and
passes which had been previously reconnoitred, and Brigadier-
Qeneral Madden's brigade of Portuguese cavalry in like manner
to the right, with orders to retire by the same passes if neces-
sary. The h?aVy brigade of British with the guns being still in
reserve behind the town.

Upon the nearer approach of the enemy, it was evident they
were adVancing with the whole of their cavalry, and five or six
heavy guns (eight-pounders). This being ascertained, and upon
opening their first gun, the line was ordered to retire, which
they did slowly, in excellent order, and without loss; the Spa-
nish. troops filing on the main road, through the town which
had been left open for them. A smart cannonade now com-
menced from the opposite heights, the superiority of numbers
and ►eight of metal decidedly in favour of the enemy; but the
superior skill and well-directed aim of Captain Lefevre and h;s
corps, with only four six-pounders, was most pre-eminently
conspicuous. The enemy now committed a most daring at-
tempt, or rather an error, for which they were severely punished.
In spite of two of our guns, which bore directly for a few paces
On the road, three of their chosen regiments, 4th, 20th, and
26th, dashed through the town and formed rapidly on the flank
of the 3d Dragoon Guards, which corps, concealed by a small
bill, I verily believe they did not see, and in front of the 4th
Dragoons; themselves presenting two fronts. A charge of the
3d Dragoon Guards was at this moment ordered on the right,
and a simultaneous movement of the 4th Dragoons, directed
most judiciously by Brigadier-Genera Long at the same mo-
ment on the left, where I had requested him to remain, decided
the point.
The enemy wavered before our cavalry reached them ; but
almost in the same instant they were overturned, and appa-
rently annihilated. The affair took place so near the brook and
bridge which immediately leads into the town, and which I had
forbid the cavalry to enter, that it was impossible for them to
pursue ; it is difficult therefore to decide upon the enemy's loss;
Many severely . wounded escaped through the town, others
threw themselves Off their horses, and escaped over the bro-k
and throUgh the gardens, but besides seventy-eight prisoners,
twinty. nine lay dead on the spot, many were also observed ly'ng
dead on the bridge and in the first street ; and a peasant reports,
that from thirty to fifty were sent off wounded to their rear on
horns and cars.
I must not omit to state that a portion of the Count de Penne
Villamur's Spanish Cavalry gallantly supported the charge on
the left of the 3d Dragoon Guards, as I am informed Brigadier-
General :Vladden's brigade did on the right; !nit the dust caused
by the charge was so great, I was myself unable to observe on
that flank.
I- am positively assured from the report of the prisoners, that
the em my had thirteen regiments of cavalry in the field, which,
though not exceeding from two hundred men each, gave them
so great a superiority over the force under my orders, com-
posed of dirty nations, many of them as yet but little known to

each other in ca'
placing a deep
defend the to'
attack on the other side.

I hays the peculiar satisfaction to add, that the advantage
gained has been almost bloodless on our part, although occa-
sionally for a few seconds, of necessity exposed to the range of
artillery and a charge made against a corps elite of the enemy,
who, on the other hand, visibly suilered from our artillery, its
addition to those lost in the charge.

I feel myself under the highest obligations to Brigadier• Gen-
eral Long, for his well timed and active exertions during the
day, as well as for his assistance at all times.
To Brigadier-General Loy, commanding the Spanish cavalry
(the Count de Penne Villamur being sick at Villa Franca), and
to Brigadier-General Madden, commanding the Portuguese
division, I am highly indebted for their readiness in obeying,
and promptitude in executing my orders; to the Honourable
Colonel De Grey, commanding the British brigade of heavy ca-
valry, and to Colonel Otway, commanding the Portuguese bri-
gade, both under the orders of Brigadier-General Long; to Co-
lonel Lord Edward Somerset, commanding the 4th dragoons ;
to Colonel Head, commanding the 13th light dragoons; to Ma-
jor Weston, commanding the 3d dragoon guards (Sir G. Calcraft
being sick at Villa Franca); and to Captain Lefevre, of the
royal horse artillery, my very best thanks are due, as well as to
every officer and soldier, for the promptitude and steadiness
with which every, even retrogade, movement was performed
in the face of a superior enemy.
The advantage gained will not only in some degree lessen
the enemy's superior cavalry, but will, I trust, still further tend
to render him fearful and timid in all his movements.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) W. LUMLEY, Major General.
Marshal Sir William Beresford, its. &c. &c.

ISTER
X 7.3
avahy movements, that I feel fully justified in not
p ravine and defile in my rear, and attempting to
Iwn, which is only defensible by infantry,from an