The Sun.
London, England, 1808-09-07 00:00:00

j~©L7. i~V ll~~s

fURTNift iIIcTICULLAs RtsPEtTIWO !KZ iAiiistrsikr IN
PoltruGAL.
In the battle of the ' Ist, the FrLich.had in the
field A.-Out 15,206 men, of which 1200 were Ca-
valry : this hitter force by no trieattadi,tinguished it-
self, not having once come to a charge in the course
of the day ; but its position and numbers were for•
rnidable, and it contributed tà keep a considerable
body of the British troops in check,, occupied by
watching its movements. Their linifdrM *as green.
The boasted French artillery on this day was
served in every respe& far inferiorly lo.that:of the
English. Indeed it is impossible to convey an idea
of the precision witlf which the latter was dire6ted,
and the execution it made in the ranks of the enemy.
The Shrapnell Shells (so called from their inventor,
Colonel StiItArNELL, of the artillery) in particular
made dreadful havoC among the ranks of the French.
'.They contain about 100 musket bullets, and are cal-
,culated to explode at given distances, on which they
instantly spread death and devastation around.
deed so much were the French 'dismayed at the ef-
leas of this novel instrument of war, that many of
the grenadiers, who were made prisoners, declared
that they could not stand it, and were literally taken
lying down on the grOund, or under cover of bushes
and the high banks of some ditches in the field
.of
battle.

The honour of, the French Military Chargier 1
was,. however, for some time nobly supported by its
Infantry. Their order of attack was •m column, a
mode of warfare which they have hitherto success-
fully praised against the Austrian and other troops
of the Continent. On this occasion, however, it
entirely tailed. So far fron attaining the object
of this manceuvre, that of penetrating the English
line, and taking it then in flank to the right and left,
they nevee approached near enough fOr the British
bayonet to act, th'at their heads of columns were not
invariably broken, and the whole thrown-into con-
Wha't alsd- contributed materially ro their
defeat was the scientific 'manner in which the torn-
madder in Chief met this' species of attack.'
The French army advanced in three largecolumni';
in such a manner as to bring them all to bear upon
the British:left and centre. Invariably as each ad-
vanced,
i
vanced, independently of the resistance it met n
the front, it was taken on each Sank try the tire of
corpt' advanced for that purpose, by a small epange
in their pagition by which means they lost a
prising number of men before they could put it to
the issue of the bayonet. In no case did the French'
come to the resort of this latter weapon, that they
were not itistantly broken, not standing its push an

instant.
The advance of the enemy to the.`aqack was
petuous, and even furious. As they approached,
they saluted the English with every opprobrious epi-
thet in which their language is so eminently fertile.
While, on the contrary, the latter, in derision,
cheered them as they approached. Their dress was
Singular : it was blue, with white facings ; over the
whole of which was worn a White woollen sovtout,
somewhat like a waggoner's smoek-frcck ; their caps
square, like those of the Huhlans ; and goat-skin
knapsacks. Their musqueviry, was throughout for-
midable; partictilarly that of two Swiss regiments in
their service, who behaved most gallantly. Their
voltigeurs were, upon the whole, good, but far infe-
rior in activity and real service to the English rifle,
men.

Bel Ore the action General JUNOT harangued his
army in the following iaconic address French-
men, there is the sea ; you must drive those Eng-
lish. into it." in fact, they did their utmost 'for
nearly three hours and a half to obey his orders,
but never during that time made the smallest im-
pression on the English line, although they repeat-
edly rallied, and tried every thing which could be
elt-Cted by rapidity of movement and pertinacity of
attack : at length, Wearied out and beaten, they
were forced to give wdy in every dire&ion, and were
pursued off the field of battle by the British infantry
for three. miles.
The ,proportion of forces in the field was greatly
in favour of the English ; not so of those who were
aaually engaged. -Of the latter, not above nine
thousand were brought to adlion, whilst every man
of the French told. When the French retreated,
General HILL'S wing, which formed the second line
of the British Army, and were destined to receive
the French had they penetrated the first, had not
fired a gun, were quite fresh; and might have been
led in pursuit of the enemy immediately, had it been
deemed right so to have done.
In short, the battle of Vimiers was decided by
superior Generalship in the Leader, and superior
braVeiji in the Soldier—every manoeuvre was frac-
tiged in it which. could arise out of the combined and
various movements of attack and defence—repewed
change of position occurred on both sides, and the
palm of victory was at length the prize of hid who
best deserved to wear it, after a long and arduous
contest of nearly four hours. ,
In considering the relatiVe merit of the Privates
of the French Army with those of their Leaders, the
Credit must clearly be given to the former, for cur-
ing the battle no distinguishing ntil of valour Quid
with justice be ascribed to the Officer; while the
soldier, generally speaking, ailed with marked gal-
lantry and courage. An instance of the determined
spirit with which the individuals of both nations
fought, may be colleded from the following circum-
stance, which we vouch for as stri&ly true :—ln
skirmishing, one of the English riflemen, and a awl-
tigeur of the French army, having levelled at each
other, both shots took effea, and both were extended
on' the ground. In this position, desperately wound-
ed, they contrived to screw on their bayonets, and,
crawling towards each other, continued to fight un-
til the Englishman drove his weapon through the
body of his antagonist !
After the battle was at an end, the national feel-
ing and humanity of Britons was greatly distinguish-
able. Ori every side was to be seen the Conquerors
running with wafer to their late antagonists ; giving
every comfort in 'their power to the dying foe, who
l'ay in heaps on the field of battle; or conveying, the
wounded French to their own hospitals,!—This
noble condu& was so conspicuous as to extort a re-.
ludant tribute of praise, from General KELLEHMAN;
who arrived at the British 'Head-quarters at Ma-
beira on the 22d,with a Flag of Truce, and who heard
enough frorri his countrymen, then prisoners in the
Camp, to convince him that the French had to deal
with an enemy to the full as generous-as he hanself
had fuumi theist brave

crhesg.: men.- \,*ire- :up .4 I.loe
Porittuese .to •the, •English 'Pn3vost ; -hist
were released without punishment; in Consequence
bf:the deportment..of the corps 'to which they be,.
190ged: In presence tif.thewhole.army,
viva thanked them fair theit.-tiniform gaiLinty:on.
and restored then these. men . without:pu.i
nishment, as the beM, reWard he mild bestbytf Upon
. .1,

- -55.,,,.7.; - e .`..-----e--- 7—'7- : -.,..,. ,1 , -rjfi ••••• -.. .0': ,lt
'*l#6optAttig the italiai deilOrair, engaged bh that.
day, .a.feW, words May nat. be nuinterestings• or the
persariatebodda of hitsar, who sconintaeded-at:the
battle of Vitnierae little is known: ,'•The.captured'
Officers .and even those ofshigh rank;, spoke very
slightly, and_ even' with reprobation, Of • his. Man-
Muvres. during the aaion. IndiViduatly; lioviduer,
their language was high.lispeCtful iowarris'hiM ;
he was always f` the Duke ;" and the system of
equality, in the armies at least•of _France; seems to
be utterly abhorrent to. the reigning .pritaice. :The
vessel
„which carried hcitne Captain (now Major)
Pmereau., btought• letters. froth JUN.OT and M.
CAMBIE, his Secretary, to be forwarded to their
respective. Ladies the first opportunity.. - . .. • ,
General LotsON is. as little spoken of; he has;
however; the reputation of being an able man. ::•;.
General LABORDE distinguished himself at' Rits
leia on the 17th, When the mountain passes were
so ably contested with the English. His reputation
is that of an experienced Officer, but he bears a most
ferocious character. ' -"
.
General Bit ENIERE was also . distinguished at 04
affair of Roleia; He thrice led the attack which
proVed so destru6tive to the 9th and 29th regitrients'
of foot, and thus covered the retreat of LABORDE'
with the main body of the army, 'and' afterwards re
tired himself in good* order, though with great lass.
Here it Was that Colonels LAKE and STEWART fell.
He was not, however, so fortunate on the 2 lst,neing
made a prisoner in the gallant charge of General FE -
GUSON'S Brigade, which ' broke the enemy's right
column, at the head of which BRENIERE fought.
It is impossible here nut to notice some citcums.
stairs connected with the capture of this Officer.
He surrendered himself, upon the, column giVing
way,
,to Corporal Ross, of the '7lst regiment, and
immediately pulled out his watch and Money, which,
with his sword; epaulettes, and sash, he pressed
upon his captor :-.-this zallant man, however, re-
lased every thing
,he was offered, brought tlie.Gene=
ral in safety-to Colonel PACK, and delivered him up
to that Officer. .. Ba ess ita is, in astonishment;
could not help exclaimini---.‘ What sort of a man
." can Ihis be—he haii done toe the greatesi services—
" has brought me heiesafeat the. risk of his life---,
`', and yet refuses to take, from me all the reward I
" can at present offer hint.!" To which Colonel
PACK rather drily replied-'-", We ate British Sol-
" diers, Sir, and not • Phitid;sierS." Our Readers
will be glad, however, to know that such conduct
did not pass unrewarded ; as 'sootias Sir AUTHOR
WELLESLEY was made acquainted with it, he i•tisised
it as a favour from Colonel PA' Kto in,ll;.,•..imit a Ser.; ! Letters circular liave recently Veen transmitted
jean:. on the field of battle (with whice the C..lonel - from the Archbishops of •Csserantrity-and YORK
immediately complied), and gave from , his own tattle Bishops of their respective 'provinces, reytir-is
pocket a handsome gratuity to this generons, fell w, ing a return of all Livings in their severall7;oce,es
The conduct, on that :day, -of a cot:4in of _under the value of, tool. per annum, in order that,
this identical Corporal Ross, ..who was Piper to. the the-same may be laid before the Privy Council prior
same regiment, is too retharkabie to be passed over to the meeting of Parliament: . ' • • "
in silence. As he pushed on in his ranks fighting Advices, we understand; have been received from
bravely, his pipes being slung behind him .tor the the''province of Biscay to the 29th ult. The French
present, he received a severe wound in the leg from at that time continued in possession of Bilboa.. The.
a musket-ball—finding himself disabled, he delibe..- ' Spanish eorps, which retreated from that town when
rately sat down on the ground, and' unstrapping his the former tit* entered, had received considerable,
instrument, he called out Wept, -my bra' Lads; reinforcements"; and intended shortly to attack Atte,
I can gang no farther wi'ye a fighting; but de'el ha' . enemy. ft was supposed, however, that the French
my saul if ye sal want music ;" and immediately would previously evacuate the town. •
began. playing his most warlike airs with his utmost A ". ,-.. .. t
Captains AUSTEN, CHARLES zsDiM, Lord s.sgor,Qa
might, and the greatest unconcern. We Shall only 1 STUART,, OSWALD, and BAKER, of the Navy, were
add, that General BRENIERE has been brought to
in tie ,e of battle
England in the St. Albans-Man of \Var. General Ifi ld in the aaionS on the 17th and
21st ult. in Portugal, whose ships Nt Mn. ere lying in o.-
TntisAuta„ Chief of hid French Staff, was killed. in
deco Bay. . . .
the a&ion of the 21 st. In his pocket was found the ' prince LEOPOLDI BARBONI, the second son pf his
French Order of Battle. Some mention has also Sicilian Majesty, arrived with a...numerotis suite at
been made of a General BALISTER, but of hitn :we Gibraltar, • • sa on the 9th ult. in his. Majesty's ship nun--
know nothing.
••• • . dem', and is to proceed to Spain: The,Objea of-his
General KELLERMAN, who was deputed by JuNor, journey is said to be to claim the Regency of Spain,
to treat .for terms on which tosurrender •his amy,
commanded the Reserve in the anion of the 21st.— at heir' t 6 the' Crown. . • . , -. :
He it was who endeavoured to retake the cannon J'aimas Caostas., Esq. is ele6ted Mayor of•Wind-
taken by. General FERGUSON'S brigade, in a'desperate soy; for the ensuing year, Mr., AANDA7LL, l-IlZ,h'
attack on the 71St and 82d te,gimetits, which were - Bailiff,' Mr. GRANTHAM, Utider Sheriff, and M.
EGELSTON, JUStice of the Peace.
halted in the valley where they had been lost. In. -
'this attempt, however, he was failed,' by a brit- Miss BOLTON, of 'Covent-Garden Theatre, has
liant manoeuvre of the Commander ,in Chief, who, ' been engaged with 'the Liverpdol.Compa,ny this •sea--
sciu.:--Miss Sim. n has also been engaged at the same
from his situation .on the high ground, seeing the
place.
disadvantage to which these corps would be attacked
in. the vale, ordered them to retire to the. heights, JOHNSTONE is perforrnirig at Cork with great suc-
cess,' as May' naturally be expeeted frpm-his proles:-
which they very reluaantly obeyed. Arrived there,.
they halted, -;
faced about, fired, and charged down POPE
merit, and the partiality.. of his country.—.
POPE is' at the same Place--and he also is a .great fa-
the hill upon the enemy,' who had
.by -this time vourite. Mrs. EDWIN and Miss WALSTEIN, both
reached the low grounds, with such hnpetuosity and .of whom; according toreport, have Merits that en-
effe6t, as totally to defeat and oblige hielieto retire title them- to a high station on the Loudon boards,
with great,loss, leaving the six pieces or cinnon tie- are also exerfing their talents very sucCessfrilly at --1
hind him. This Officer is the son of the celebrated Cork. -
. , . .
Marshal of the same, name. Oh arriving at the STEPHEN KEMBLE has again started amongihe
British Headstquarters on the if 2d, he did, not seem Candidates for the new - Patent .of the Edinburgh
in the least cast down by the disastrous affairs of the Theatre. He is-at pres.entat Greenock; Where he
f/tli and 21st, nor did lie shew the slightest feeling has just inserted anew Theatre, which he has raised -
or sympathy for the misfortunes of the tisany him- at his own expence. „ . :- . . , .
dreds of his fellow soldiers who Were dead and dy- GENERAL Jistimer;--The Dublin Papers assert that
ing of their . wounds all around. On dining at. the JUNOT is a native of Ireland, and one of them has
General's table, to which 'of course he was invited, I published the' following notice respeaing him
he seemed surprised at the hard biscuit ,which he
found there, and said--." Faith, General, if I " That the' public may know the country and descent of
thought you had been so badly provided, I would how conimaiidhig inironrtu
that noted and tyrannical Gen. lunot, alias I tilian, who is
, hi 3 gam' TeFsi:fsDatbllnrisahnattigthrei4
have brought you some fresh bread !"—This Officer the
vp,hi,;oct
within
information under his far k,er,
remained at the British Camp on the 24th, when glsw'c%aTsalsa°sfipiroti fae);'s sdo rof the same, lett this kingdom in the year
the last advices came away. . . •
indr- It% £792 went to France, where, from his toward and enterpris.
16 adverting to various anecdotes respeaing
spirit, he has arrived from the rank of a private soldier co
victuals in the British army, we desire distittafy to the taq6cd greatness he now possesses."
To,„ 0-ifow the several. priseners,,who stand fully
be understood as not relating any with a View to in- commitled for various felonies, in the different pri-
vidions comparison, but purely with a design of sons in the city of London and county of Middle-
commemorating all that has reached us upon this sex, will be removed to Newgate, preparatory to
remarkable occasion. If we do not mention some their taking their trials at the ensuing- sessions,
individuals, it is bacause we have not been so fortu- which commence on Wednesday riext, the 14th
nate as to obtain any particulars respeaing them, on
inst. at Justice Hall, in the Old Bailey.
a day when there Was scarcely a shade of difference
conduct every Officer in theA firebioke out early.this morning in Chancery-
in the meritorious condu lane;near Holborn, which destroyed one house and
fi-eld.. We -trust, therefore, that our silence, in any I greatly injured another. Happily no lives were lost,
such case; will be attributed to want of information, but a consitlerable quantity (A.- property was con-
and to no other cause. ' smiled. --
The most prominent figure in this illustrious
.....,
,eat this day is
groupe is dctubtless the General, as well from. his CO4O-EXCHANGE, SEPT.EPT. 7•----heat
rank as his responsibility; on him every thing . uncommenly short, and of the few sales made the
turned—to his condo& every one looked—the good Prices are considered nontitial 5 Barley likewise, large
exPeaed, and a reduction; White Pease are
or the evil which might result froq.the Expeditionarrivals
k..en off at an advance; Beans of the twO
was.referred to him, alone s----a concise 'view,. there-
readily ta
in
' fore, of the principal features of his short but irns kinds a trifle dearer 4 Pats are tolerable supply,
porttit command, is impeeiously demanded from us. with and this trade is quoted
some foreisn samples, . .
Some leading faCts as to the state of the army, un•s' at little flisauation ; Flour fuliy supports last prices.
der his command may ,perhaps answer our purpose I.VIII ditto 62s a 7SS 3SS od Tick Ilekutt, o 57s 3
ace
Ild
I'l Ce BBs a 9as oft, Oats ". IVS 6Os a ace oss
better thah any thing we eau say of himself.. . ' . Rye _ - 455 a scis ad Poland ChM) Os aot ca
Front the day that he, took the command to that Barley -
...
on which he.resignedsit,
,but three desertions took M S
place—those were all (Tom the sth battalion of the -
od
Goth, ' a rifle corpto,. aAd the parties were 19reigners '‘ White Pe-ase loos a 17tos od dint: Flow . 1,,S A 7SS Oit
gis aa 45Ss od I IZataetoilet ..
Frei ditto - s6S a 61s od Six o o fssa a 7os oil
isms (Old) . 6cts A 6jS Cid ...oil-4;13;144,, 2

,-;Froiu the cbromeneement of the• march from
..IMboclego Hay to Vimiera there was hot a single pa=
nisittnent inflicted for Straggling, Or plundeti evert
to the minutk-st'arlicle. ' : . •'' • '

Every daptibriog that niarch eaCh..soldierhad a
•
pound of fresh meat, litid a-§utficiency of bread and
wine fOi his comibrtatile subsistence; and on corn-
ing into aaion there was
.soareely a. sick man in. thel
flospitals of: the Camp, the s.i!liold arm being in
such .-a state,,of, health and
,vigour, that they were
.capable 61 any enterprise they could bt put Upon. •,
:!:Poring• the whole of this period, Sir.ilaTnuft
never went under. cover at night; but alwaYs slept
on the ground in the 'open air-,-he was the first ups,
find the. last down of the whole camp7-7sieeping
cbtiitatitly* in .. his clothes, and hiS horse .picketed
near. bhp ready saddled, to. be mounted at a mo;•
Merit's Wirniing.. ,
.
In the whole of this anxious period, he ;tits'
cheerful, af'fatilei•. and - easy of access--enduring
every privation .he was attentive to the
wants of all, and ever wive to obviate or remedy.
them. . -

Of his dispositions. in the field -we have already
spoken. In personal bravery he has been rarely
egnalled, never excelled. Conspicuous by the-Star
of the Order he adorns; he was congtantly in the
hdtteit. part ,of the a6tion wherever a corps was.
to be led on, from . the death of its Officer, dr iiiry„
other unexpected cause, Sir ARTHUR was du the ~por
to head it. This was the case distin'clly when Col,
LAKa fell—he instantly put himself at the head of
the grenadiers of the 2gth, charged, and defeated the
enemy.!
,Is it .`wonderful. that. such h roan should be the
idol of his soldiers, and the admiration of his brother
Officers ? These sentitnents were Universdly shew 4
when he. was cheered by the whole line, after -the.
action of the 21st, This glorhils day
is our OLD General's ;"—and when, oa, being con-,
gratolated by the General Officers on -the victory,
they all eagerly, ascribed it to him as" EXCI.UIVELt
1,,
1115 OWN. :