The National Register.
London, England, 1812-04-05 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REG STE%

1r

" Same time ago, a great proportion of thetarrison were Poles; hut
they deserted in such numbers, that they were all taken out and re-
placed by a brigade of Germans ; these, however4belng found to desert
in such number to the Poles, they were withdrawn, and some Swiss
put in, in the proportion, however, of three Frenchmen to each Swisa,
nod taking the precaution never to send them in any but Pole*.
" The hiking of Badajoz-will he a veryarduous task. The town is now
very
.strong, and numerous outworks have lately been added. The sea-
son is most unfavourable; but, if the French army does not make its
appearance, Badajoz will certainly fall.
"The army is in high health, and in the greatest spirits; their confi-
dence in their illustrious Leader is unbounded, and there is absolutely'
nothing that under Win they would not attempt.—Lately the sailors of
the fleet at Lisbon made a request, that they might be marched to the
army, and fight under the Earl of WELLINGTON. The tars are in-
dignant at being quiet, and every account that reaches Lisbon of a
gallant achievement by the soldiers vexes them.
" The poor Cameronians are quite Mors de combat, and Nave been sent
to Lisbon to do garrison duty. The Royal Marines, who, a year ago,
were sent out and have been doing the Lisbon duties, are embarked
and sent .home. .This invaluable corps has been of the greatest service
in Portugal • by taking the duties at Lisbon, they enabled General Pea.
coot to send up all the regular corps to the army. Report is strong,
that NTAR mu N Sone.t. and So en el., are coming on with their united
force, hut this does not disturb the Earl of WELLINGTON. The French
army have been extremely unhealthy, and have of late lost so many men
from the flux, as well as desertion, that it is understood SouLT and
:Mae moNT's, as well as BONNET'S corps, are quite crippled. .
" Should the Earl or WELLINGTON carry Badajoz, it is said to be
his intention to march to the South, and raise the siege of Cadiz."
ANOTHER LETTER, FROM AN OFFICER.
" Camp before Badajoz, March 21.
" On the day before yesterday PeteeiroN sent out about 2000 of
his garrison, hut they made not the least impression on our brave fellows,
who would not remain in their trenches, but followed the enemy to
the very gate. They left about 300 dead, and a few prisoners; our
killed, I believe few ; we have sixty wounded, among them Lieutenant-
Colonel FLETCHER, Engineer, Major of the 43d Light Infantry, General
Pic run's Aide-de-Camp, and an Officer of the 74th and of the 88th.
" General BowEs commanded in the trenches, when the enemy
' came out, and he gallant General KEMPT came to his assistance. Colo-
nel Wi Llama s, 00th, who has, on so many occasions distinguished him-
self, was the Field Officer on duty, and every one is loud in his praises
for cool courage and his discipline of the troops.
" The siege is commanded by that very able officer General PICTON,
Sir JAMES GRAHAM (Of Barossa), and Sir ROWLAND HILL; each com-
mand an army of observation. In our front MARMONT will be cau-
tious of coming on—Sonefs army is ndt formidable; and SUCRET has
enough on his hands to keep down the country where he is.
" lam happy to tell you that all my friends are well. Earl Wee-
trecroN, who was ill for a few days, has, to the great joy of the army,
got about again.
" The Portuguese behaved most bravely in the sortie; they had some
killed, and about 90 wounded. Cavalry are wanted—they arm coming up."

APRIL 5.

the disposal of BUONAPARTE) to be commanded by French
Officers. . ,
The force with which France will commence the war is
computed by some at 300,000, by others at 400,000 men,
60,000 of which have already passed Stettin, and after
being joined by the Prussian troops, are on their march to
Komgsbeig, where quarters have been ordered for them
as allies and friends of his PRUSSIAN MAJ'ESTY. The French
army was to be commanded provisionally by Marshal
NEV. Notwithstanding these mighty preparations, Rus-
sia is represented as fixed in her determination, not to
agree to the ruinous demands of NAPOLEON. Her army
on the frontiers of Poland is rated at 200,000 men, and
the last advices from St. Petersburgh state, that the Em-
peror ALEXANDER has resolved to take the field in person,
while Generals BAncLAN De TOLLS', BENNIGSEN, Atm-
FELDT, and others, were to have commands under him.
In the expectation of large demands on the public trea-
sury, many new taxes have been imposed under the au.
thorny of an Imperial 'Ukase, and others have been aug-
mented ; among these are an impost on land, excise on
tea, a.stamp on merchant's books, and an increase of the
capitation tax, to the extent of one-third. The Messenger
who passed through Berlin on the 3d of March with the
ultimatum of BUONAPARTE to the Court of Petersburgh,
has returned with the ultimatum of the Russian Govern-
ment. BERTUEIR was hourly looked for in that city, and
it was suppoled that the KING: of PRUSSIA and NA.POLEM
were to have an interview at Dresden.