The Sun.
London, England, 1832-09-27 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

(From the Times.)
Late last night we received an express from Fal-
mouth, bringing intelligence from Oporto to the
2lst instant. Nothing of a decisive nature her: oc-
curred. "Miguel's troops had retired from Villa
Nova, and it was believed that disaffection was
spreading both among the officers and men ; but an
expectation prevailed, neverteless, that the army
would return to the attack on Oporto. We sub-
join the letter of our correspondent, which is full of
interesting details :

oroßTo, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19.

" On Monday the shortness of the notice we had
respecting the sailing of the steam-packet from Lis-
bon obliged me to limit myself to a very brief sketch
of the events that took place on SiturClay and Sun-
day. The steamer had arrived on Sunday night at
nine o'clock, and was to sail at ten the next morn-
lee., and yet her arrival was net made known
till within two hours of her departure, thus nega-
tiving the purpose of her delay, viz., the accom-
modation of the merchants here. Some persons
nevertheless contrived, as I am told, to make use
of this short time to send home overcharged ac-
counts of what took place here, On Saturday I
mentioned that a 4-gun battery began to play from
the Villa Nova side upon the town, and particu-
larly on the small ships of war in the river,
which annoyed them dreadfully. In a few hours
this battery was silenced, a pine tree having been
felled by a shot smack into one of the embrasures,
and the sand-bags, of which the battery was com-
posed, were so knocked about as to render all for
tare time useless. The shot from the Serra con-
vent was admirably directed, and contributed mueh
to this result. It is therefore greatly to be la
mented that there are no heavy guns on dire point,
as if they had them, they could, commandieg alt
Villa Nova as they do, prevent Miguel's troops
from erecting a single battery. Shells were, as
usual, thrown in during the evening, but very little
mischief wan done. On Sunday morning, an at-
tack wait threatered by a corps of about 800 men
from Matozinhas upon the village of St. Joao de
Foe. This force included about 24)0 cavalry, chiefly
the cavalry of Chaves, who advanced as near to the
Fort as the chapel of the Luz, or lighthouse. The
posacasion of the Castle would give Miguel's party
she command of the bar, but there was no chance
of their being allowed that, and their intention could
only have been a plundering incursion into the vil-
lage, and the carrying off any cattle they might find.
This was the impression amongst the people, as
they drove their oxen down to the sands, under the
guns of the castle, and the women were in a great
bustle, hurrying off with such of their valuables as
were most portable. A detachment from the castle
was sent ageinst these marauders, but there was no
contest, as, after hovering about for two or three
hours, they were finally drawn off, in consequence
of the firing along the lines, whither they were or-
dered by a courier ; at least, so I am told by a gen-
tleman who was in Matozinhas on the day in question.
" Information was, it is said, received here, that
it was Gaspar Teixeira's intention to make a serious
attack on the lines during the evening of Sunday,
and Don Pedro was determined to be beforehand
with him. They had been at the other side labour-
ing for a week at the construction of batteries in
front of the centre of the lines at Aguarderee, and
a sally was ordered from this point with a view to
their destruction, in which the sortie party was
completely successful. The .sth, and I believe the
12th, Cagadores, went out early in the afternoon,
and took the enemy so entirely by surprise that they
effected their object with great ease. Miguel's men
were, I understand, cleaning their havresacks when
the Cagadores fell in upon them, killed some, and
took several prisoners. They then proceeded coolly
to dismantle and throw down the batteries, which
done, they burned some houses which gave cover to
their opponents, and returned in column, with their
hands playing the constitutional hymn. They marched
as quietly as if returning from parade, and brought iu
the fascines which the enemy had used in the Con-
st lict ion of their batteries. This attack of necessity
provoked a reply from the other side, and clouds of
_Miguel's troops immediately darkened the front of
the lines. Skirmishing at-once commenced along
the whole line, and only ceased with the going
down of the sun. On the right of the line, where
the British are posted, the firing became extremely
sharp, Miguel's troops having advanced in great
numbers and with great boldness, led on in the most
gallant manner by two officers, who distinguished
themselves very much,—a rare occurrence on that
side, as Don Miguel's officers have evinced any-
thing but heroism since the commencement of the
contest. The British pickets, and those of the
Grgadores, on this point, under the command of
Major Shaw, were driven in from the very advanced
posts which they held, and a force tell times their
number pressed upon them vigorously. They ral-
lied, however, beautifully, and formed round a
small eminence in an open field, where they certainly
stood at great disadvantage, as an enemy, far supe-
rior in number, lined the walls of this field at two
sides, and kept peppering them without remorse.
I was a spectator of this part of the affair, and felt
greatly interested in the result. At this moment
party of fifty red-coats advanced to their aid,
under the command of Major Staunton, and the as-
pect of the field speedily changed. The enemy, in
spite of their numbers, were driven back in double
quick time, and made for their own lines, leaving
the British in possession of all they had in the morn-
ing, and more if they choose to keep it. This, of
course, they would riot do, as their outposts were
originally too much advanced. This success was
not, I regret to say, unattended with loss. The
gallant Major Staunton, within a few minutes, fell
mortally wounded ; Lieutenant Jenkins received a
wound in the thigh ; and there were besides these
two killed and ten wounded, some of them since
dead. Poor Staunton died at six o'clock on Mon-
day morning, and was hurried yesterday in the Eng-
lish cemetery, with due military honours. lie was
a fine young man, only twenty-eight years old,
and is universally regretted, both as a soldier and
a gentleman. I • cannot, of course, vouch for the
accuracy of the numbers I give you ; and it ap-
pears to require several days cogitation of the autho-
rities here to fabricate a bulletin, which, however, is
sure to come, and I hope may before I close this
letter. This will give you a much grander account
than I can pretend to give, and treat the skirmish
of Sunday with that grandiloquence which the most
trifling eccurrence here is worthy of. The num-
bers, however, I am told stand thins upon this
side :—killed, 18; wounded, 60; prisoners, 47 or
48. The loss of officers is, in proportion, much
greater than that of the men, 7 having been killed
and wounded on Sunday. Indeed, the number of
officers hit since the first affair has been very con-
siderable; no less, if I am informed correctly, than
16 field officers since their landing here. This pro-
ceeds from their gallantry, in ever being at the head
of their men, and forms a strong contrast with the
conduct of Miguel's officers, who are very back-
ward, and of whose inclination to stay behind, the
prisoners and deserters loudly compiain. General
Cardozo has, we are told, reprimanded and punished
several of them most severely. The mortars on the
Villa Nova side began to play earlier than usual this
evening, of course to aid their friends who were at-
tacking the lines, bnt, though they threw several
shells in, no great injury followed.
" On Monday morning, having refitted their
battery, they began at daylight to pour in shot, and
their great object was to destroy the small ships of
war in the river. These had of necessity suffered
considerably before, and two of them, the Actor and
Amelia, were ordered down the river towards the
arsenal. The Amelia received three or four shots
through and through her, but she is now in a state
of convalescence. They continued for a few hours
to throw shot into the town, and did considerable
mischief in the course of the morning to the houses,
particularly in the rua de Bello Monte, where much
damage was done, and some persona severely
struck. One poor boy was killed. They also threw
shells during the whole morning, some of which did
much injury. The master and mate of the Amelia

were also killed this morning, At length the guns
from this side rendered their batt6iiiseless, and the
town enjoyed a respite, at least !rpm shot, during
the evening. During the night ill:0\ again re-
mounted their guns, and begun as usual to fire at
day-light yesterday morning. Shells were also
thrown in, one of which struck the church in the
Cordoarii, another fell on the wall of Mr. Orme-
rod's garden, in the rug de Calvario, and exploded
in the street, striking in two places the hotel in
which the British Consul and Colonel Hare res,de ;
another fell in the military hospital, the convent of
St. Benno, and, passing through the roof, and one
floor, I regret to say, killed two men, and wounded a
third so badly that there is no hope of his recovery.
They were mangled in a way too dreadful to
describe. Last night the same play was repeated,
with the addition of a few rockets, and the house of
Mr. Jones, a highly respectable British merchant,
was sbattrred dreadfully by a shell, which went
through the roof, and three floors, and burst in the
portal, where a faithful servant remained, thinking it
the safest position in the house. He was, however,
mistaken, as his thigh is badly broken. Two also fell
where the powder-magazine did stand ; how lucky
none remained there I A little after nine o'clock a
sharp attack is as made on the left and centre of the
lines towards Monte Pedral, a position much wished
for by Miguel's officers, as, could they secure it, the
ground in the neighbourhood would enable their
cavalry to act. The fire continued extremely brisk
for an hour, when the enemy retreated, having been
completely foiled in his attempt ; and the loss on
this side has been scarcely any thing, not more, if I
am informed correctly, than two wounded. I have
:row given you a summary of events here, and I
should have felt happy had they been attended with

decisive results. From the want of an adequate force
o attack, Don Pedro must stay as he is, and from a
want of boldness on the other side, there is no like.

lihood of any grand movement. One thing is cer-
tain, that unless the artillery and stores, which are
xpected, speedily arrive, and unless such a fire is
kept up as will completely uncover the heights over
Villa Nova, it will be next to impossible that people
can live in this city. The two vessels I mentioned

before were put hors de combat by the fire on the
other side, and in addition I should have remarked
that a third, the Terceira •loop, did not even escape so

. -
wt l, having been sunk yesterday morning. These ves-
-els were agreat protection against musketry from Villa
Nova, but now the whole line of quay is totally un-
covered, and whenever the troops at that side
choose, they can render the lower part of the town
quite impassable. Another point to which I would
draw your especial attention is the totally unpre-

rected state of Ritish property and British persons
here. It is true that there is a squadron off the
bar, but for purposes of protection it might as well
ie at Canton or Rio Janeiro. General Santa Mar-

tha said that all property would be respected as far
is it could be ; but it was at the same time plainly
given to be understood, that in case of the town be-
Ing taken by assault, it would be impossible to re-
strain either troops or guerillas. There are now four
ships off the bar, the Talavera line of battle ship
having come tip yesterday. Two of these,—the
Orestes, 20 guns, and the Childers, 18,—could both
come over the bar, and if in the river, might, in case
of need, afford some shelter. Representations have,
hear, been made to Government upon this point,
,he necessity of which is obvious to every one here;
hut lam also told that L-rd Palmerston has given
.trict orders that in no event shall a British ship come
. _

nto the Portuguese water, for fear of wilful niscon-

•truction by the Spanish Government, who would be
ready to interpret this into a violation °Neutrality. This
may be all very handsome in theory for the Govern-
ment at home; but if thousands of British lives
Should be sacrificed, as would inevitably happen
iid the infuriated militiamen and guerillas come in,
the Government would have to stand the brunt of
t storm of national indignation, such as they have
hither•o escaped, and it would not be less marked
'or being mixed with contempt for persons who
•vou!d abandon their own brethren through fear of

he Camarilla of Ferdinand. The bad %;eather is
now very likely to commence, when it is impossible
the ships can keep their anchorage ground. Even
luring the very fine weather ‘‘e have lately had,
they have been obliged constantly to stand out to
,ea, so that the show of respect which might be

nspired by their presence will be absent when most

wanting. For weeks the bar may be impassable ;
old though they might see Englishmen perish under
cheir eyes, still our seamen could render us no as-
.istance. The anchoring of these two small vessels
It the river, solely as a place of refuge in time of
need, could not, I think, even in Spain, be tortured
nto an interference in the quarrels of Portugal.
" I wrote the above in haste, supposing that the
I?anzona would sail this afternoon, which I find will

lot be the case. This morning the City of Edin-
burgh steamer arrived from the fleet, where nothing
has vet been done. Miguel's squadron, as you will
nave heard, lost their steamer, and then stood down
-0 the southward, with Sartorius and his consort to
windward, waiting for a chance. When the City of
Edinburgh left, on the 15th, both squadrons were
ibout 100 miles off the land, in the latitude of Cape
St. Vincent. They were within four miles of each
ither, just as was the case when they left Lisbon,
but not a shot was fired. Miguel's ships, six in
lumber, kept as usual close together, and Sartorius,
iaring only two frigates and two brigs against their
tipetior power, could not with any prudence ven-
tire to close with them. Four sail left this and are
now off Lisbon, and as at the starting of the City of
Edinburgh both fleets were beating to northward,
nost probably Sartorius will fall in with his rein-
Urcements, and then you may expect a good ac-
cout of Felix and his Miguelites. I regret that no-
shing has been done of a striking and decisive cha-
:acter, either by sea or laud. Last night one would
lace thought that thousands ought to have been
killed, from the heavy and sharp fire of musketry
hat took place, but, if lam informed correctly,
Ykiguel's troops began to throw in their fire at such
t friendly distance, that it could possibly do no mis-
chief, and with caution equal to their good-nature,
hey did not come so near as to be injured, save by
round shot and shells, which were dealt out to them
with an unsparing hand.

" THURSDAY, SEPT. 20.

" The steamer not having sailed, I am enabled to
4ive you one or two particulars mere. First, last
night passed quietly without shells, except one or
which I regret to hear caused the loss of three
it four lives. Some rockets have been sent in at
intervals from Villa Nova, but of a poor quality, and
with very little effect. This morning we find that
Don Miguel's troops have retired from Villa Nova,
,it least the major portion of them. They have,
however, only gone up the hill of Santo Ovidio,
and the baggage is behind it. All accounts agree
that they suffered very much in the affair of Sun-
day, as well as on Tuesday night, when they fired on
each other, leaving the pickets of Don Pedro (who
alone exchanged shots with them) very little to do.
Round shot, shells, and Congreve rockets, added
to their confusion, and seriously increased their loss.
The market-people have this morning a free inter-
course with Villa Nova, and boats cross arid recross
in great numbers from Gaya. An attack was in-
tended upon the Lena on Tuesday night, but the
officers will not lead, and the troops, after so many
repulses, will not otherwise advance. From the
north side the accounts are, that the militia and vo-
lunteers are greatly dispirited, and threaten to go
home. This is very probable, bat it is impossible to
depend urn reports here. My own impression is,
that they will wait till the 29th (Michaelmas-day),
make an attack, and, if they fail, retire and end the
campaign. It is to be hoped that the Brito-
mart and other vessels, expected here with
military stores, may speedily arrive, for they
are indeed very much wanted, especially balls
for the heavy guns. From what is now
going on, [ hope that the Commander-in-Chief,
Teixeira, has altered his plan, as, while I write, he
has begun to throw shells into the lines. This is
all fair, but destroying women and children in an
open town is abominable. Some light troops still
remain on the bank of the river at Villa Nova, and

keep themselves in practice by Artng at any thing
that does nut please them at this side. Some of
our alarmists here dread that the withdrawal from
Villa Nova is only the skulking of a tiger, to make
his spring the more secure. This I do not believe.
This day, I understand, a declaration is published
by the Consul, stating, that in case of any disturb-
ance the factory-house would be open as a place of
refuge for British residents. This is doing some-
thing, and if the Government at home will only do
half as much as their officers here wish, British lives
arid property will be secure. Deserters come over
every day, and could a good reinforcement be landed
here, much might be done; but without that, I fear
that though Don Pedro may be King at Oporto,
Miguel will continue King- of Portugal. Those
longest resident here, and best acquainted with the
Portuguese character, say that all may still go well,
and that could Don Pedro command only 200,0001.
he would be certain of success. G. D.

(From the Chronica Constitucional )
OPORTO, SEPT. 18.—After midnight we had a
brisk fusilade from the greater part of the enemy's
line. This was connected, as we learn, with a plan
by which the rebels hoped to surprise our pickets.
indiscipline
of as the latter were vigilant, and the
of the former great, this attempt had no other re-
sult than to make the enemy stiffer even more from
his own fire than from that of our pickets, which
alone, of the whole of our line, took part in the
affair. We are informed by a deserter, who has +ince
come in, that the fire of our artillery was very effec-
tive, and that the rebels suffered greatly from it, as
well as from the Congreve rockets. The conse-
quence is, that they cannot now find room for the
wounded in the hospital of Formiga. This soldier
adds, that the enemy has been under aims every
night since the 15th, and that the fatigue has gteatly
exasperated the troops.
The other "defenders of the altar and the throne"
who are on the south of the Douro, continued dur-
ing last night to throw drop-rockets, which do not
differ from the common sort, but which the rebels
call Congreve rockets, wishing, of course, to cheer
up the guerillas and royalize them, because as they
have now nothing to steal, they require this and
other such tonics to prevent their giving a hearty
adieu to the cause they defend. Happily, no da-
mage has been done by the shells, which are getting
scarce, as the steam-boat which had them on board
has paid a visit to the fishes, or by the sham rockets
we have described.

By the by, as to rockets, we learn for certain that
the Generalissimo, Gaspar Teixeira, has notified to
what he calls his Government, that the French en-
gineer, who was to have come from Lisbon to make
swarms of them, went mad soon after his arrival at
Coimbra. This event is no less extraordinary than
the loss of the steam-bmt, for in it also is seen the
hand of that Providence which has so often pro•
tected our cause by confounding its perjured enemies.
Yesterday Gaspar Teixeira, and other Viscounts
of the Villa-Franca batch, thought it advisable, it
seems, to secure the field artillery which they have
in the neighbourhood of this city, by removing it
towards Valongo, because they are aware that it
would be safer there than near the trenches, where the
malhados might surprise it. This plan was, how-
ever, opposed by the Mit4nelite volunteers, the Ca•
pitans- mores, and the friars, who all cried treason,
and dr dared with one voice, that if the artillery was
withdrawn they would return home and abandon
the cause of Don Miguel the desired. The Gene-
ral calmed these tran,ports of monkish rage by un-
saying what had been said.