Star.
London, England, 1808-01-28 00:00:00

4R to General Whitelocke, and
firing, provided I remained uno
I had no authority over the
.my. About noon, Gen. Gower
-srod (hewed me the communica
.iniers, and confidentially Aced
:ceding to the terms contairsed in
:d on the unpleafant flotation Pf
the light infantry, and all the
inert; that upwards of one half
;ed were either killed, wounded,
.t of the 45th regiment, which was
'my ; that the remainder was fa
ifidence, and ell:noted at the moll
the year, without blankets, great
of neceffaties, which in that eli
!alive of great flamers : when I
meted (late of the troops, and the
Cher Colonel Malion's detachment,
od part ef the army, or the troops
by the General, might be fepa
the whole force of the enemy,
to the difficulty of procuring ord-
provilinns from the fleet, as none
approach within (even miles rf the
,er at that feafon very tumultuous,
t navigable. When I confidered
in all probability fuflain if hoßilities
once, with a people, elated by
:efs, the difficulty of burning or de-
o ith our artillery, the houfes being
wi h terraced roofs, no wood em•
onftrottlion, except the beams which
with terras, and the bricks fo
penetrated wi:hout (baking them.
to the danger, the difgrace and (14E.
a retreat, before a vittorrous enemy,
ill leave 4.000 of our belt troops in
and the danger that mull have fu:-
capture of the place, for our num
been totally inadequate to keep it.
to the fituation in which Monte Video
a gartifon unequal to ma'atain it
out all the ishabitants, with to any
ocement—v hen I weighed all thefe
nd was perfoaded that Montt Video
iintained, toweling the army to have
treat they, by previflons from the
troll would certainly have been (hut
id when I called to mind the declare
(ers in their inftrutlions to General
tt the pofftillon of the ec.entry would
unlefs it could be maintained by a
om experience I knew was very in.
I no hefitaoion in Paying, that if better
of be obtained, and a period f lix
for the evacuation of Monte Vii!eo,
to the merchants to difpofe of their
opini on the terms offered (hall be
The General immediately called to
and acquainted bins I was of the
with them both, en which General
red to me, that he had objetled to any
returned until the Plaza del Toroshad
; but finding that the poffeffion cf
is anfwered, or even greatly facilitated
of the place, he thought it would be
oer into negotiations. General Gower
t into the town, and returned in the
.g, that the period cf two months for
on of Monte Vl2c-,., was all that would
Tie General then determined to
orms, and a treaty was concluded, a
I fira law on my return to England."
by the Judge Advocate General.
know the number of intrenching tools
n of your column on the morning of
1 do not know of any.
,uml.er of artillery men were attached
that morning ? A. I had neither ar
ith me, nor do I know how they were
:cept in the cannonade in the centre as
advance.
.onveyed the fecund meffige you recciv
ral Whitel cke on the ph A. By a
,er of dragoons ; it was a note written
tal's Sect wary.
was the intervat between Captain Whit-
:aving you and this fecund mirage ?
wo boors.
tat hour did Captain Whittingham leave
Toros ? A. He came about four o'clock,
did not remain a quarter of an hour.
not General Whitelocke have reached
ter fix o'clock on the sth, if he had
.h your fuggetlicn of coming to you ?
ie could.
what efc rt did the (larter Mailer ar-
Pl2za del Toros? A. He bad 16 artil.
th him.
could Colonel Mahon's corps, and the
to Coral be attacked by the main body of
while the Britith were in polreflion of the
'oros, and the Refidencia, being the two
I neither heard the firing on the 88th,
(eral Crawfurd's brigade, both of which
nearer than Colonel Mahon—the regi
.h ore at the Toros, had been fo fcatteted
red, that I did not calculate, upon more
men that night, a force very infufficient
from the Refidencia, and was (but up in
of the night.
you get your information at to the Reli-
ig (hut up in the courfe of the 6th ? A. I

TWENIETH DAY.

,Must. Actor MUTT was again called in.
pmceeding to examine hull, he requelled
to add to his nariative of yesterday, that
:r.t the report by Captain Whittingham, he
,m to tell Gereral Whitlocke not to hurry
come to the Plaza del Toros, as that poll
;sly fecure, hut by all means to fce what
on 'away ch. the right in General Crauford's
and then to make Sir Samuel Auchnurty's
head quarters.
.he att

were then read.

ders for the attact..
.re thole orders complied with, by the corps
lur command ? A. I complied with them as
,reurnitances would permit.
id the troops proceed with unloaded arm

wire unloaded as we advanced
, yrsts kn •w why no artillery office' was feat
with the s 6 men General Whiteloeske hot at
luta ? A. No 'calor' was affigned.

(Having Rated that you were induced to approot
of entering into. a negotiation on the terms propofed
by Gen. Linters, hecaufe the troops were fatigued and
withont copfidence, explain what you mean by
their
~ without confidence ?" This Court may more eafily
conceive than I can defcribe,Witat rAean by want
ffiens againfl
of confidence. They, wnrittfingt.epte tper, but that
their General, which were highly.upprc
it was impoffible.to take notice ofl ILniein thel were
entirety without cOnfidencs in th.FIF-Lijfe,lll.
4cui
Quad your knowledge tortilla wanta cdnhdelitsa
Of the troops in their general, a confi w.tle area ip
inducing you to approve .of theab onrneut cf the
•
advantages they had gamed, and lie fut'renaer 0r
Monte Video ? It certfunly had fome.flirre in indu- '
cing me to approve of giving up Motite yi4o. As
to the advantages gained at Buenos Ayres, t4y were
porchafad fo dearly, that •I cannot call them advvi.
tages.
(Llf, inftead of want of confidence, YOU had found
the troops fully confident in their general, and you
had realms, to think their confidence well placed,
would you have thought yourfelf 'unified in approv.,
ing the furrender of Monte Video, under Cie circura.
(lances in which the army was then placed ? A. I,
fhould have liefitated much, but I flili think I (Lout&
Q.: If General Whitelocke's inftrati ins were not
to abandon Monte Video, except in cafe of neceffity.
are you of opinion, that on the 6111 t f July that cafe
of neceffity had occurred in a military view, to juilify
the abandonment of Monte Video ? A. I think :hat
tieceffity had arrived in a military view, providcd,i
better terms could not he obtained.
Q.: Are you of opinion then that the Biitiflt force
at Buenos Ayres, Dint
es, on the Gth of July, with the g.,,, i-
fon left at Monte Videa, was not, in a military p
of view, fufficient to maintain poffeffion of Monte
Video ? A. A much lets number of men could have
maintained Monte Video, it they had been in gun-
fon there.
Q. Are you of opinion that the garrifon could not
have been fupplied with provifions tither from the
counts yor from the Upping ? A. lam very deci-
dedly of orini 1n that the country would have been
flint np from them, and they mutt have been fupplied
throug,h the means of !hipping—l mean by ftores
and provifions being brought from other ports. I
know there would have been a difficulty in procuring
poovill,ns from the Cape and from the Brazils, altho'
I got f me from both immediately on taking Monte
Video. I opened the port to all neutral, bringing
provifions for 12 months, and I thought a fupply
would have come from America, of flour particu-

rally.
Q:Are you of opinion that it would have been
impoffible so have obtained a fupply of provifions,
fufficient for the garrifon of Monte Video through
the [hipping ? A. I have already Rated that there
would have been Come difficulty and uncertainty
about it, but I fairly and candidly own, I believe the
garrift n might have been fupplied.
Q: If there were mare troops than fufficient to
gatrifon Monte Video, and that garrifon might have
been fupplied with provifions, explain your meaning
in Rating, that the nscellity had arrived in a military
point of view, for abandoning Monte Video ? A.
That garrifon was before Buenos Ayres, and the dif
ficulty, the danger and the difgrace, of retreating
before a vinorions enemy and 'embarking, is chat
I meat by laying the neceflity had arrived.
QLWas the Britifis force remaining out of the town
on the 6th of July, able to combat and defeat any
force that might have been brought againft it by the
Spaniards out of the town ? A. If they met them
Nay in the field—molt certainly—it was fufficient
when united.
Q. Was the Btitifh force, after the jun:lion with
Colonel Mahon, adequate in a military point of view
to the maintenance of the Plaza del Toros ? A. Cer-
tainly it was.
Q Would not the Spaniards meeting the Britifh
troops fairly in the field, have been the neceffary con-
fequence of any attempt made by the Spaniards to
interrupt General Whitlocke's retreat and reimbar-
kation ? A. It certainly would not have been a necef-
Cary confequence.
Q._ Would not Redunion have been a favourable
poll TA retreating to, making Point de Qliltnes the
place of reimbarkation, and the Chuello the line of
defence ? A. If the army had been obliged to retreat,
I should fuppofe that the Point of Qt!ilroes below the
town, or the Conchae above the town, would have
been the proper place for reimb?rkation.
Q Would not the confequence of adopting either
cf there plans been, that the army mutt have been
fafely reimbarked, or brought on a general anion ?
A. I am of opinion we mutt have (uttered -a very
material lofs, and I do not think a general Jlion
would have taken place. The enemy would have had
it in their power to harafs very much without a gene-
ral anion, and might probably have attacked the rear
after the greater part of the troops were embarked.
The (hips were (even miles off, nor could they come
1 much-nearer. The Court will.allow me to obferve,
they mutt be aware of the fuperiority of a corps of
5000 men well found and equipt is all refpens, and
i full of confidence, energy and vigour ; and how (lit-
; fetent that would have been from the miferable Rate
of the corps I have defcribed.
QL.How near could the ['hipping, but particularly
the gun brigs and gun boats, have approached the
Point of Q2ilmes ? A. I cannot particularly fay.—
The gun boats could have come near the Wore, but
the (hipping could not. • 4 •
Q...lbii the opinion you gave upon taz treaty in-
clude any approbation of the conduit which led the
army into the hate it was in on the 6th of July ?
Here General Whitelocke gave in a written objec-
tion, Rating that if the queftion applied to the plan
of attack only, he would not objeit to it ; but if
it
extended to his conduit during the whole. period of
the expedition, he certainly objened to its r .
The Judge Advocate Rated that he meant the
quellion to apply generally to the whole of General
Whitelocke's conduit, and gave it as Isis opinion,
that it was pettedly fair to put fuch a •queftion to a
general of Sir Sanwel Auchtuuty's-high,charatiber
and diftinguilhed talents.
Gen. Whitelocke then gave in a long written thing
of objeitions to any general opinion being•giien or
Aced in the evidence of the wipe's*. He contended
that in no court of Juilice whitewall Was any witnefi
i per.nitted to give an opinion, except -a medical
or icientigc manwtas called to infotallibenedmindaof a
Jury ignillaht of fcieratific fable& I. :bar im Onsets
Martial all- the Ibtaibas were 'milittigyonase;:and

ik:l74.E;

therefore ableerrouiet to make np. their 9„„,
from the fans detailed to them. •
Sir JOHN Moots thought they we 4
upon Sir S. Auchmuty folpfaits. Genet*
..
had afked Sir Samuel's opinion, and theConrk.wts
*
ow to know upon what fails he growled wan.
he then gave - t- '-',; -
Quentin repeated—A. Certainly my opinion in .
'eluded no approbation •whatever. ~
Q. Was it your opinion that the force whielLiek
Monte Video againa Buenos Ayres was fuffickpi fat,
that eonqtrell, if differently condueled. r di
L (Here the Court .was cleared, by the. e c
ze
Pirtle of, the members, and they remained in der bfral.,
Lien nearly half an hour. Upon the readatiffAn ,nf
flrangers the quetlion was repeated.) ...... . ,
A. I can only fpiak with refped to gni ig
column, with which I think I did, all that an o . n
could do under firnilar cireumffanees. . s.--,',
A few queilions were then put to Sir S. Auch
as to the place of tetteat being mentioned, and 73et
eircutralances, to which the fame anfwers were iikraith
as by the other witneffes.
On his crofs examination by General Whitelitelie,.
Sir Samuel admitted generally that every exertion was
made at Monte Video to procure hot fes and guides, ,
The Hon. Major KING called. . .....1A
4 i I commanded the left wing of the sth regiment,
pit the attack of Buenos Ayres. In confequence of
%he inffruelions I received on the evening of the 4th,
I formed the column at the appointed hour aqt spor.
flings and advanced into the flreet pointed unx.toss.
Ott entering the ffreet, I ordered the front rank W.
'charge, and on our advance, the enemy abandoned 1
four pieces of cannon, having (piked them, and fhoti
the bodes attached to them befog leaving them.— ,
They retreated apparently from the left, and the co-
lumn reached the liver without further oppofition I
then retired the column for about fifty paces, and
looked around for fame houfes to occupy. firing
then commenced upbo us, and I ordered my men to I
load. We then broke open a houfe upon our right, '
and difplayed our colours upon the roof. During
this time I he.trti a tremendous firing in the direeliat
of the ?ilea del Toros, and between nine and ten ,
o'clock it entirely ceafed. About twelve o'cl,,ck,
fame of my men reported that they faw the French
flag flying upon a houfe to the right. I accord ugly
led my men out ; but as we advanced, we received fo
heavy a fire that we were obliged to fall back, and
broke open a houfe on our left, into which I put the
wounded. We then advanced a fecond time, bur
fuftained fo heavy a loft, that we were obliged to ie.
're into the houfe once more."

TWENTY FIRST DAY.
Major KING continued his Narrative.
" I entered into the co" yard of the houfe, detach
ed an officer with the wounded, to where I had
left the furgeon, and I alfo recoefled a reinf ',cement
from Col. Davy. I was then joie ed by a few more
men ; at the fame time I received a mt:frige from
Brigadier General Lumley, Rating that I covered
his right. The men (till expreffed a great deal of
ardour, and I again determined to attack the houfe,
on which the French flag was displayed ; and advan-
ccd ; but found the offenfivc and defentive means
of the enemy fo much foperior Co mine, that notwith
Handing my fu poling, from the peculiar circum.
Rance of the French flag flying over the houfe, it
might be occupied by Tome officers of importance
to the enemy, I was obliged again to retire to the
court yard of the houfe I had left. The enemy had
two pieces of cannon at the upper end of the greet,
which they were prevented from working, by our
men. The tops of the houfes were c •mpletely cc.
copied by the enemy, and it was in their power to
dellroy our men, with little danger to themfelves—
we could only occafionally fire with any effect, when
their heads were feen above the parapet ; added to
which, the difficulty of breaking open the doors was
extremely great. Obferving the attempt to get into
the above mentioned houfe was totally impraBicable,
and that the enemy might overcome me by fuperior
numbers, I remained where I was. Having previ.
oufly fent off the wounded, I retired to a fireet where
I found a detachment of the 36th ; fhortly after,
Captain Ridge, of the sth, informed me that a body
of the enemy were advancing from the upper end of
the greet. I formed the men, for the purpofe of
advancing to charge them. On approaching them,
I obferved an officer with a white handkerchief in
his hand ' • I ordered the men to halt, and remain
ready at their charge, and my front extended acrofs
the itreet. By this time the enemy were very dole.
I advanced to the officer, who had alfo halted his
men. From him I underilnod he furrendered hirnfelf
and party as prifonets of war. I &fired them to
lay down their arms, and feizing two or three
of the firelocks, threw them to the ground. Ob.
ferving the prifoners greatly exceeded us in num-
bets and menacing my party, liourilhing their fwords
1 and-pinols, jun at this moment one of them was
, prefeated at me, one of the sth flepped forth, and
made a thtuft with his bayonet at the officer I was
talking to. He flatted afide, and the bayonet did
him no injury. Obferving that he had not laid down
his arms, I demanded his fword, which he immedi-
ately gave. At the fame moment the officer who
Tarried the colours informed me the enemy had' at-
tempted to feize it. I immediately ordered the
sten to charge, and the enemy Red as fall as pof-
libiro,• leaving a few killed behind them. Nothing
material occurred after this: we proceeded to break
, open the houfes, according to orders ; and when in
the aft of breaking Tone open, I received an order from
General Lumley to retire to the Plaza del Tors,
which we did about three o'clock." •
Oa his examination by the Court, ht noted that his
awing had fume regimental pioneers' tools a crow.
bar, and a mattock or two found in the ft% burhs of
Buenos Ayres.
Lieutenant Colonel Davy called.
I commanded the right wing of the fifth regiment,
in the attack upon Buenos Ayres. We proceeded
at half pan fix, on the morning of the sth, down the
(item pointed out the evening before by Sir Samuel
Auchmuty. We arrived at the banks of threiver by
a quarter pall (even, without meeting any oppoiltion,
and immediately polled the King's colours, and's
part of the column on the tops of the hordes of.the
firare neaten the river. They were placed at the
different angles of the erects, interfering each other,
land thibrtly after, in conjtanaion with two companies
of the left wing. took polliffion of the church of Sari
Catalina, from the tower of .which, about 9 o'cl. ck;

Vobfaved the lea at tPtiv), del T,,,,,1.....
Gene.
Cal, *riff/ npat that time, and intay.
companies, and found,
-ilv ii
She ci-tdrerheTnios.
_,l received orders In
captain brook,
a Sr Sainuel'Anclanlic -1,. .'Ol
klirtanr
honeued‘ri-iT"tectrclotel4cdk•lmllteer::c9elticite.;,::'
rig ~ .c • iI I. and y,w in carnst
toetep fat Honest n' o COCK, after n 0,:,,,,,,•
l'till:oieerreirepravtoiv from
rafiettii:fonprno:ernl, ...wiG tme snt
.hei ins and
Ali °abnig.lu
Lumley,
e pi
ti
iffb,
aeydd
ak it
seyc.t,
ibi : the
:etnotoeftndit:na,
gdehntintent, revelling me to advance whisqtail
liPeontsit.tetialrelnilt.°7l:Tinlvf'd.rilleina*tipitilihe e3rs ef the !et wing, under'
Major 'Nine-then Need me, ar.l we recited along
the (Wand, in the rear of the 36;11 regirr-a'I to
. " iht
erblel, *tali "e *tidied ahont halt paR two. •
!I ter ; "" Stigadier General Li retry. •
I .40,1/11800ght wing of the' +5, h regiment, ft,,,c,g
',;) y itit4:lstlo the attack. My bTig,iie4,
kir& 6`th apd 88:h regiments. Ati tit Et
'pie ' ict* Mottling of the sth of joly,thek NI
tigimentOttlif Orrnteet,leaviog their pa• ks and seri:,
Coats in thcic cantonments under a guard, eccordw
tibiae leciets OrevintiflY received. The Igith werei'l
iteldßunns; with the head of each on the re,„!
icheurit aninn:to
deTirtivlieh it Was to proceed, and the 36th jam,
colorful, in "reaknefstotHaodams,nitivloge
triinlievifheenedodnirwrdme: trsiwonth,i,ctrhih,iid;;.
11 intended to. lead themt,oumniivl
eI efloiuwlidia,
18tweIl tenant
dingahni Ilti
itei aaceidoetilmo
noaPetlitanhpiteoldueniffi. n I ,
and Major Vandelenr, comman•
advance beyond the outp ills until the fignal gait
1 wer?fired; and then to polls rapidly on and penettate
if poffiblb to the river, or to p Itt diernieiv„atre
,
i advinetilt they were able, taking pofreflim of an
' church,* large honk or houfes, which they niio
afterwards'be bell able to maintain and defend._
Accompanied' by Lientenant'Colonel Stewart, Itt.
puty..4.lltitant General on °neat Crawford's Et
pedition, and Capeaiii WatfortOl the Artillery; ale,
hadferved at the eitttnre of Monte VideA, te gas
nit the efiabli!litnent at thiCape, both of wlerebei,,
at that time unemployed, had volunteered tlairg
i vainiceas2vn, v.:. !t mi
oeg
eotinlerlri rilvdi andiz.„thafor
t of Brigade
zealots
m fzealotslmTi
r
Roche,' I thall owe tee myfelf highly obligee,'
peoceeded in an oblique. ditedlion• such the jklue
gitnent, until I'-again came upon a road e
appeared to me m lead direaly to the town. Ifs
atter detached the left wing of the 36th, under[
command of Captain Crots,' to proceed ilia wag
to the-left, arid to wove in a parallel diteitinsul
\
the right wing, on. the &It road he could, it
'he fame orders I had 'nevi roily gi7eu to Lintels
Colonel Duff and Major Vandeleur.
About this time, to the heti if toy recoil:Rim&
fignal guns fired, and the day beg.sn to down. Ica
now only fpeak with accuracy ur the movement,
the right wing of the 35th, under Colonel llu
with Which I was just placed. I then pronedd.
fait as the broken (tate of the road and fired i
permit. &rot after our entering die flreet, a par'
firing of mollcetry commenced upon as it tad:
direttions, but we pen:trated to the Taft craft Ira
adjoining to the river. The pick axes whichtia •••
delivered to the columns were nfelefs in-,,-E
. open the ftrong maffy doors afld aindows,4'. t
I believe are the fame throughout the tow,. 1
the united efforts of the foldiers, we at le.
....1,
open fume few houfes between the two fir i
1.11 and nearefl to the Rive', and one large. , a
houfe between the .14 Urea and the bead,
which I direded the colours of the 3d'6ritipo
be planted as a fignal and encouragemeatts ,•
columns of the brigade, and alto to fuchtt
of the army as might be enabled to obteiwk,
crofs Urea in the rear of my potation was
laded by two guns from the entrance of an 1
The Urea nett adjoining to tbitocagh 154
manner enfiladed by two guns from dist put „
froare immediately under the for, as alfe,,,
guns from the fort itfelf. The file of logic ,
jalat
guns was generally direded with great p
effed again( the large houfe before menu .: t
confiant and heavy fire of mutketay was 4,,
upon u, is every diredion, ahnoft with . •
able to perceive thofe who fired upon we :
pletely were they hid by the parapets of tht ~
We were thus fituated fur tome time a• at lees
men of the 88th regiment, together with I
nadiers of the 36th, who had advanced and •••,
an intermediate houfe, but had been dins
making their way over the tops of fume of the ,
reported that Anion tl‘e whole of the 88th
were prifoners. This &as fle,n confirmed to f
Colonel Eglio, with a flag of truce, who al,
1 that above one thoufand of our men were
I prifoners, and propofir.g to me to forrenden.
J I pereropttnily refufed. Almoft initnediatdi
1 wards it was reported to me that two gum
i vancing along the beach, fur the purpofe of
us in front. , -
1 Having about this period eznreffed a/ •
ito afcertain the fituation'.ll Sir Sam
1
1 muty. who.' fuppofed was on my left—Ca
n
in offered to endeavour ti• find him, acti
his fituation •to mew-all opprifition to the
having now ceafeclon the part of the iiith •
the enemy's firt u irli both artillery Bed'
was wholly direetd arena the 36 h. . lia-
was now made to bring two guns intotlii
down which Lhad marched; and at the_,
I then was. l'hefe, although at Come &Pm
i have completely enfiladed my pofitioo is
the fame manner as the two guns on the
intended to do in front. Ati-ut the Will '
dered up the lefe wing of the 36th •reßfi
fupport, and neatly at the fame dine,
of the sth, by fame chance rappearedowill
wing of that regiment in my rear, ate
cf the Rreet, and at the very point erhara A
, had aflemblcd in great number., condutait
1 guns before mentioned. To thefehe ripper"
1 gallant refillince; poffefli• g himeellof thcit
!a &at time, although the neatffity of
I
had obliged us to commence firing loop •
period, yet the cornett was then very II 0
the nuintrous artillery and mufketryaFPr',
every dired ads
ion. ::-• ,
I now Cent to Lieut. Colonel Diafr
to reciimtnered his advancing to nur,,,l
the left wing of his regiment. Two W"' i
i
had again conswout to prop4e a furtlik i
'their mariner was tude. and onc,,uttto"