The Sun.
London, England, 1808-09-03 00:00:00

this pia&i, in oraei ip prpttet lie lancliog, and &el-
,
litate his jun&ion.

On 'Which the great body of infantry bad been
-postal, as a support to -these troops, and as a re-
serve to the whole army. In addition to this sup-
port, these troops had that of the cavalry in the rear
of their right.
The. enemy's attack began in several columns
upon the whole of the troops en this height ; on
the left they advanced, notwithitanding the fire of
the .riflemen, close to the- 50th regiment, 'and were
checked and driven back only by the bayonets. of
that corps. The 2d battalion, 43d regiment, was.
like Wise closely engaged- with' them hi the road
.which leads into Virniera; a part of that corps
having been ordered into the church-yard to pre-
vent them from penetrating into the town. On;
the right of the position they were. repulsed by
the bayonets of the „97th regiment, which corps was
successfully supported by the 2d battalion 52d re-
giment, which, by an advance in column, took the
enemy in flank...
Besides this opposition given to the attack of the
enemy on our advanced guard by their own exer-
tions, they were attacked in flank by Brigadier-se-
nerol Ackland's Brigade in its advance to its posi-
tion _ -
on the heights on the left, and a cannonade was
kept up on the pap; !of the, enemy's columns by the
artillery ,on those heights. .
• At length, aftera most desperate contest, the ene-
.
• ,
my was driven back in confusion from this attack,
with the loss of seven pieces of cannon, 'many pri,
soners, and a great number of officers and soldiers
killed and wounded. He was pursued by the de-
tachment Of the 20th Light Dragoons, but the ene-
my's _ .
cavalry were so much superior in numbers that,
.this dejachment has suffered,much, and Lieut.-Col.-,
Taylor was unfortunately killed. .

General Loishn joined General Laborde in tl4
course of last night at Torres Vedras ; and I under-
stand that both began their march towards Lisbon
this morning: I also hear that General.Junot ha's
arrived this day at Turres Vedras, with a small
corps from Lisbon ; and conclude that the .whole
of the French ?rmy will bessembled between Tor-
res Vedras and the Capital in the course of a few
days. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) ARTHUR WEI,LESLEY.
To the Right Hon. Lord Castlereagh, &c..

MY LORD,

Head• Quarters, Maceira,
AUgust it, 1808.

The Report which I have the honour to enclose
to your Lordship, made at my request by Lieute-
tenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, conveys infor:
oration which cannot but prove highly gratifying.tO
his Majesty. •
On my landing this mottling, I found that the
enerny's'attgcic had already commenced, and I was
fortunate enough to reach the field of adion in
time to witness and approve of every. disposition
that bad been, and was afterwards made by Sir AP,
thur Wellesley, his comprehensive' mind furnishing
a ready resource in every emergency, and rentlering
it quite unnecessary to dired any alteration.
I am happy on this occasion, to bear testimony to
the great spirit and good condud displayed by all the
troops composing this gallant army in this well con-
tested anion.

I send this dispatch by Captain Campbell,'
Carty to, Sir Arthur Wellesley, no person being
better qualified to give your Lordship information.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) HARRY BURRAIM,
Lieut.-General.
-• To the Right Lion. Lord Castlerea gh, &c.

SIR,.

Yimiera, August 2t.

, J have the honour to report to you, that the ene-
my attacked us in our position at Vimiera this
morning:

,The Village of Virniera• stands in a valley, thro'
whidh runs the River Madeira ; at the back, and, to.
the Westward and Northward of this village is a
mountain, the Western Point of which ,touches the
spa, and the Eastern is separated by a deep ravine'.
from the heights, over. which passes the road which .
leads from Loitrinha and the Northward, to Vl-
miera. The greater part of the infantry, the Ist,
2d, 3d, 4th, sth, and Bth brigades were poited
on this mountain, with eight pieces of artillery;
Major-General.,HilVs brigade being on -the right,
Majoi-General Ferguson's- on the left, having one
battalion on the, heights, separate&from the moun-
tain. On the Eastern and Southern side of the
town is'a hill which' is entirely Commanded, parti7
cularly on its right,. by the mountain to the west-
ward of the town, and commanding all the ground
in the neighbourhood to the southward and east-
ward, on which Brigadier-General Fane was-Posted
with his riflemen and the 50th regiment, and Bri-
gadier-General Anstruther with his brigade, with
half a brigade of six-pounders and half a brigade of
'nine-pounders, which had been ordered to the po-
sition in the-course of last night. The ground Over
which passes the road froni Lourinha commanded
the left of this height, and it had not 'pecn occupied,
excepting by a piquet; as the camp had been taken
up only for one night ; and there was no water in
the neighbourhood of this height.,.. :

The cavalry and the reserve of artillery were in
the valley, between the hills on which the infantry
stood ';- both flanking and supporting Brigaclier-Ge-
neral Fane's advanced guard.
The enemy first appeared at eight o'clock in tbe-
morning, in large bodies of cavalry on our left, upon
• o•
the heights on the, road to Lourinha : and it was.
soon obvious that the attack would be made upon
our advanced paid,' and the left of our pasition ;
and Major-General P'erguson's Brigade was hum-.
diately moved across the ravine to the heights go
the road "t 6 Lourinha, with three pieces of cannon :
be was followed successively by Brigadier-General"
Nightingale, with his. brigade, and three pieces of
cannon ; Briga4ier.-General,Ackland, with his bri-
gade; and Brigadier-General Bowes, with his bri-
gade. These troops were formed (Major-General
.rerguspn. 's htfigade in the first line; flrigidier-Ge,.
• neral Nightingale's In the Second ; and Brigadier-.
General Bowes's and _Ackland's,- in columns in the
rear) on those heights, with their right upon tie
Valley which leads into Vimiera ; and their left upon
••
the other ravine, which serrates these heights front
the range whichierrniva ies at the landiu.g
•
Ett: Mthese la aceira. On st mentioned heig4o,otlie
.•
$.
Portuguese troops '-which 'bad been in the botfeni
near Viiniera, were posted in thu first iustat:ce, and
they were supported by Brigadjer-General
, .
brigade. • '•

The troops of the advanced guard on the beight
to the southkvard find eastward' 6 . -the town wet-e
deemed sufticitnt for its defence, an-a Maja-Getic-
ial Hill was moved to the centre of', the mountain

Nearly at the same time the pnemsy!s attack
commenced upon the heights on the road io Lou-
rinha. 'This attack was supported by a large
body of cavalry, and was made with the usual im-
petuosity of the French troops. It was received
with steadiness by Major-General Ferguson's
Bri-
gade, consisting of the 36th 40th, and list regi
. .
.ments ; and these :corps charged as soon as the
enemy approached' them, who gave way, and they
continued to advance upon him, supported by the
'B2d, onp of the corps of Brigadier-General Night.
ingale's brigade, which, as the ground extended,

afterwards formed part of the first line ; by the
2gth Regiment, and by Brigadier-general Bowes's
and Ackland's Brigades,- while Brigadier-General
Craufurd's Brigade, and the Portuguese troops, in
two lines, advanced along the height on the left.
In the advance of Major-General Ferguson's bri-
gade six pieces of cannon were taken from the ene-
my, with many prisoners, and vast numbers were
killed and wounded.

The enemy afterward 4 made an attempt to
re-
cover a part of his artillery, by attacking the 71st
and 82d regiments, which were .halted in a valley
in which it had been taken. These regiments're-
tired, from the low groUnds in the valley to the
heights, where they halted, faced about, fired, and
advanced upon the enerny, who had by, that time
arrived in the IoW ground, and they thus obliged
him again to retire with.great loss.
In this action, in which the whole of the French.
force in Portugal was employed under the corn-
.
mand of the Duke D'Abrantes in person, in which
the enemy was certainly superior in cavalry and ar-
tillery, and in which not mote than half the British
army was aEtually engaged, he has sustained a signal
defeat, and' has lost thirteen pieces of cannon, twen-
ty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells,
stores of all descriptions,' and twenty thousand
rounds of musket ammunition. One General Offi-
cer (Beniere) has' been wounded and taken prisoner,
and a great many Officers and soldiets have been
killed, wounded, and taken.

Spencer's judgment anlexperience, in the decisiol
which. I formed with respea to, the number °I
troops allotted to each point of defence, and for
his adVice and assisttnice throughout the anion.-''
In the posit)qn taken up by Major-General Fella"
son's_brigade, and in its advance upon the enetnY'
that Officer, sheaved equal brave ry and judgment;
and much praise is due to Brigadier-General Fane•
end Brigadier-General Ansfrutiftr, for their gall3Lif
defence of•their'position'in front of Vimiera, and toi
Brigadier-General Nightingale, for the manner in
which he supported the attack upon • the enenlYi
made by Majur7General Ferguson.
Lieutenant-Colonel G.. Tucker, and Lieutenant"
COlotreljgtathurst, and the Officers in the depart "
treats rrkhe Adjutant and Quarter-Master-General'
and•Lient4trant-Colone.l Toyrens, and the Officers °I
my -personal. Staff, rendered me the greatest assist"
ance throughout the aaien.
I have the honour to inclose herewith, a 'Twill
the killed, wounded, and missing. •
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Sjged) ARTHUR WELLESISir."

N. B. Since writinz the above, I have bee° •
formed that a French general Officer, supposed f°
be General Thebault, the Chief of the Staff; lils
been found dead upon the field of battle. A.lll I"

•
•
the Army 0
ac
Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of sir
t

the Contrhqnd:of Lieuten.ant-Genefalthe'Aight

, .
Arthur Wellesley,- K. 13-..0n the 21st 01 August, 1x08•.
' , Head- QuarterS, yilm
General Staff -I Captain, wothided.
Royal Artillery-2 rank and file, killed • 2 rank and filer
horses,. wounded.
Royal Engineers -‘1 Lieutenant, missing. it 20
,?A,411- Light 'Dragoonst Lieutenant. Colonel, 19 ran- iii
til.gcipalborses, killed ; a Setjeants, 2z- rank and nierii,
bursts, wrimidec.; z Captain, i Drummer, 9 rank and 1
a nbraotrtitti.sing. - ''• • . • •-- '
is i
_dia. vieNt. Brigad9--.-Major-(;eneral Hill.
it• 1 Forit--"None killed jai wounded. "- ' " '
,9t Foot-None killed or wounded.
h foot-None killed or wounded.
ii
v . ,
, . .ad Brigade - Major-General- FeTguson. ts.
36th Foot-7 rank and file, killed ; z Captain, 3 Lictitenalo
• 1 Ensign, a Stall; ‘1 Serjeant, z Drummer, 34 rank
• hll.e. wounded ; A Serjeiiiit. ' r .rank ansl,4le,. rnisiiir; nor,
,4th Fopt-L6 ran and file, 'killed ; ' I Captain, a Licute,-fiie.,,
2 serjeants, 28' rank' and tile, Wounded ; '.6- rank an.
missing. ontsi,
:7 ist Foot---t 2 rank and file, killed; 2 Captains, 4 r•en'''' cud.'
A Ensign, I Staff, 6 Serj,:ants, 8, 'rank.and tilv,•watip,•
..;•37 3d Brigade-Brigadicr- General Nightingale. t, ?
p9,lllFlatzt-f-r4. rank and-tile, killed; i C4itaiii;-1 Serjean
'" y• nkand file, wounded.' '
7 rank and file, killed ; ealit'li.'
41.820 ralortabrOLiemenant, . killed
• 4.
- S ! rank R.nd file, wounded.' I 6 :.
`06'13 .
1 rigade-Brigadief-General Bowes.
' 6tiz Foot-None killed or wounded.' • - -
lad Foot;-None killed or wounded. .
5093rip4e•-13Figadier,-General Crgufurd.
. • 2 Ser.) .

Foot:-NOnikilled or wounded.
isf Foot-None killed or wounded..
bth Brigade-.Brigadier-General Fane. ./led
50th Foot -"-t. Captain, Serjeant, 12 rank and ki
Major, 3 Lieutenants, r. Serjeant,, Druinitier, 6i rani
,
and'file, wounded ;' a'rank and He niissing:
sth'
sileatrgoi!-th,
i• Flo
roiti-ili,r4a.rir4anktilaer:d
wfioleu,ndkeilai.e.d
,
inissing • .
led'
2cl Bat. 95th Foot -1 Serjoant, 5 rank
.and
Lieuteriant, a Ensign, 13 rank and file, wounded; "3
-
and file,'
7th Brtgade-, Brigadier-General Anstruther.
2d. Bat. 9th Foot-3 ranic.-and file,killed.; Seijea ' • nt► t 4 r
~
and file, wounded,' • MP
2(1E4. 43t1,F00t ,Serjeant,'26 rank and file, ;„1 anti
jor, 2 Lieutenants, 5 SeijeantS, 2 Drummers, 6S raw
; Drumnier, la rank ano file, illissi"..ar,t,
2d fiat: sld Foot ,3 rank and file, t

2 Serje:nas, rank and file, wounded; 2 rank 04.:

, .
missFootin. -.7 • " Want'
97th g "
-.4 rank and file, killed ; t Major, I Lie .
.• 1 Serieints,• 14 rank and tile, wounded: '
.-', iltlll3rigade.--13.rigadier..Getieral. Ackland.
,2d Or Queeps —1 Serjeant ;1i rank and file, wounded. .1, and
- loth Poiitl2:l Lieutenant, killed ; i Lieutenant, .511117 -
-- ' file, wopnAleci ; 1 .rank and file, missing. '
,t).3to''al Staff- Corps —None killed •or wounded.
„i'ntS't. 3,
-a° aft-1,6 Lieutenant:C.:6l°nel, 1 ' Captain, 2.Lieute.v;,ajors,
nicants-, taB 'rank' and file, 3o horses, killcd: .3.."5er,:
to Captains, t 9 Lieutenants, 3 Eilsioi, z Staff, 2:,,tld-
jeants, 4 Drummers; 466 rank and file, la horses, i,, 46,
ed ; i Captain,' i Lieutenant,a Serjeant, 2 Drunnoe
rank and tile, t horse, missine. ! ' ~c..zts
i . . .. . v
Names orOfficers Killed, Wounded, and Missing oil t''
, 4
. . ~ .• of August, ISo. ' '' VcPuti
• General Star —Captain Hantinge, of tlac s7th Foot,
Assistant Quarter...Master-General., %von:sided.
Royal Engineers—First Lieutenant Wells, intsini,• killed'
20th Light Dragoons—Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, '-',: . .
Captain EnStace, missing... ' Bog'
.-iinli F.out—Lieutenant !Smoke, killed ; ant Lieuten
, ' • '''. wounded_
29th Foue—Brigadier-Major A. Creagh, wounded.
...„ntS
36th Poot-utaptain Herbert, slightly wounded ; Lieute“.i,6
Hart, Lougin, and Edwards, slightly wounded; Ltt,Z,
' BosetV, sii-giitly crunded ; Lieutenant and Adjutant. ''..
40th Focit-Captain Sniith, slightly' wounded ;
.ve.ili, severely wounded. • ,
Frankley, slightly wounded: '
43d Foot—Major Hearne, wounded ; Captains ForgO°l4 '
frock, and liavertield, wounded; Lieutenant Madcl4l4
wounded ; Ensign Wilson, wounded. 10 . •
fj
soth Foot—Captain A. G. Cook, killed ; Major Ch2r,,d
Hill, wounded; Lieutenants john Kent; John Wilson, 3"
Robert" Way, wounded.
ded'
szd Foot —Capt. E wait, wounded; Lieut. Bell;`,woo nee,i9
both Foot— Lieutenant Charles Kirk, wounded;
iteith, .wounded.
. 7ist—c.ptain -A. tones, slightly wounded ; a----„,,tt, 5:
•kenzie, slightly wounded; Lieutenant I. D. 1 ',, • pito'
verely wounded ; Lieutenants IVilliant Hartley, i'' n I,Y•
germ, and A. S:M'lntyre, slightly wounded; Hartley,.
•Camphell, slightly wounded; Acting Adjutant It. ,
-pine, severely wounded. • .
Sad—Lieutenant R. Donkin, killed. ded• •
95th—Lieut. Pratt, wounded; Ensign W. Cox, wain, a/c., ,-
97th Major I. Wilson, wounded ; Lieutenant h• L'e
• well -wounded- • • ,•• • LieutenaPg

.. ,
The v4lour and discipline of his Majesty's troops
have been conspicuous upon this occasion, as you,
who witnessed the greatest part of the aaion, must
•• have observed ; but it is a justice to the following
corps to draw your notice to them in a 'particular
manner, viz.--the Royal Artillery, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Robe; the 20th Dragoons,which
had been commanded by Lieutenarrt-Colonel Tay-
lor ; the both, regiment, commanded by Colonel
Walker; the 2d battalion goth foot, commanded by !• :' Ahstrad of the above ItetUrn.
• ... - 4 Officers killed ;37 (Juicers wou.ndcd • 2 Officers missi'.4.2r
.
Major T.ravers ; the sth' battalion, both regimeht, •;,- • 3 1+4,1-vcio.rumissioned Officers and I);unnaers k i Ned ; '
Davy i the 2d battalion, 43d,
1, . o,led;,,ii 1
.l.'444oor:ecauniti:nuliLsiicomlnLedd
(13ithii...:1 it,:
aanndd
it ruuoilnlnmet.r-rss,1::•1'0:Ing ; .
i,1,,
cOmrnancle.4 by Major n
commanded by Major Hull.; the 2d Battalion -524",- _rank And,tile, kllled ; 466 rank and file, wounded; 4.6.r.i10g.
,'- , • . • . , . . .14 ;and itrte;Triissing,.; 43-norses ktl,en, ,A .untied and sins'
_„,,,
corrirrianded by Peutena,nt-Colonel. Ross;. the. 97th -.:RtaiPificeis, Non-conunissioned Officers and Druniar..,
rank slid tile,and horses, killed, wounded. and '"den,l
regiment, commanded •by Lieutenafit_6oloriei 149111; ,' ' 783.. •., . - • G. 11, r LIK. li 14.,. Dep. Adj
of
the 36th regiment, commanded by Colonel Borne i
- • . . '. Return of Ordnance and A mmuntilon,takerOn the Aohoo
the 2lst instant.
the - 46th, commanded by . Colonel Kemmis.;, the , 2 Six-pounder, 4 lour- puknver s, 2 thfce- pounders, tivc.'
- '
; ._,%1 St, commanded by 'Lieutenant-Colonel Pack ;• and : waggons ; 21. PortuAueseaimuunitioncars ;
'-' Elie 82d regimetkt, cointhan led by Major Eyre. . 40 horse ; 4 mules.
To mentioning Colonel Burne,.and the 36th regi- ,
' ' l• ' ' • the Park.- but, from several accounts, there are eigb
• The above is only the number already received i,l3t .
meet to you, tenon this occasion, I cannot avoid to• mere: • ''
~.' .
-add, that tie regular 'and orderly condnet of this ' 1 eils,
- der, s 1
- waggonl and cars contain a portion.of pow
corps 'throughout this service; and theirgallantry • ~tal•:n trom the enemy. The ammuriti(?3
Lnd disciplftie in aLLion have beeri.e
at:l... j ....t,i.3.1.4,
oi:
all descriptions,
and
Onspicitous.
-'
,must, 'fake :til'is'o' .' :'`' . f 1-• .1
fi ' ' ' '
~, ppor.tnify p ac*now,....egmg. :-r :- !.:::.,r4c , ~.... ~• :•: wm.,Aol3t, Lieut... Cot• .
thcusand pounds of musket ammunition.
my obligatlons,t9 the Qeneral 'and Staff Officrs 'Of : Commanding Royal .A.rtillery. ,
tjle tilly, I w.v much indebted to -Major-General I Lislut'n"' T"ckCr' 4"
itiO3:l3.(:ut te.iety