Star.
London, England, 1808-11-26 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

Lieutenant-Geoeral Sir Salm CielasaOct sailed yes-
terday for Lisbon, to assume the command of the
British troops in Portugal, vi:e Sir H. BURRARD. re-
called. Lieutenant-General Sir JOHN CRADDOCK is
the same officer Who was Commander in Chief at
Madras, when 700 European troops were massacred,
by the native troops, in consequence of some appre-
hension that the latter were to be compelled to shave
their mustachios, and wear leather caps !
Lieutenant Jonx FREEMANTLE, of the Coldstream
Guards, is appointed Aid-de-Camp to Sir JOHN CRA-
Docic, and left town on Sunday for Portsmouth, to
embark for Portugal.

The arrival of Sir HARRY nURRARD is now anxi-
ously looked for—if he does not make his appearance
in a few days the Court at Chelsea will be at a stand.

Orders were on Wednesday last received fur the 3d
and 4th Dragoons stationed in Canterbury, to hold
themselves in readiness for immediate embarkation
for Spain. Eight troops from each of these regiments
are made subject to this order, and they are to form
the first heavy cavalry brigade under the command of
Major-General PAYNE. The 3d regiment, it is ex-
pected, will commence its march for embarkation at
Portsmouth in the course of the ensuing week ; and
the 4th will probably follow in the succeeding week
or sooner, should the transports be ready for their re-
ception.

The 14th and 16th Dragoons will embark for
Spain iihmediately. Transports having returned from
Spain and Portugab a fresh embarkation of infantry,
not less than 1'2,000 men, will take place without loss
of time. The whole of the remainder of the Guards
will at this time be scut off ; and by a subsequent
embarkation several battalions cf the line from Ire-
land and this country ; but some heavy Cavalry and
more artillery will in the mean time be sent off.
Though they no doubt arc necessary here to the
ends ofjustice, we cannot help regretting that at the
present moment such excellent and popular officers
as Sir Arratua Wettxstev, Generals SI'ENcER, and
FER.7.1.750N, should he detained from the scene of action.
We have more than once heard the question among
military men, why are officers, so high in their pro-
fession as Lord CATHCART and Sir SANHirt
stun-, not employed at this present critical moment ?
and better and abler officers our service does not
boast of. While there was a dispute about a fit
Commander in Chief for Portugal, why was Lord
CATHCART unthought of ?
It is acknowledged by all parties, that the selection
of officers for the army going to Spain has been un-
exceptionable ; they are all of the first rate, and
enjoy the confidence of the whole army. Und.,r such
men as Moon e, Hove, and BAIRD, British soldiers
will effect any thing. As soon as the present Enquiry
is over, it is said that his Majesty will confer honours
on Generals SPENCER, NIGHTINGALE, and FERGUSON.

Colonel DOWND: left town last night to join the
Staff of the British Army in Spain.
'All the officers, and upwards of 100 non-commis-
sioned officers and privates of the Loyal Mahon Vo-
lunteers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel LEA-
TIIAM, have been enrolled as Local Militia.

About '2OO of the privates belonging to the Whitby
volunteer artillery, 50 privates of the Whitby volun-
teer infantry, and about 80 belonging to the Mul-
grave volunteer light infantry, have agreed to transfer
their services to the Local Militia.
A detachment of the East York Militia has marched
into Carlisle from Newcastle.

Two Companies of the West York have marched
from Chester, for Stilton Barracks.
The West Kent Militia has marched from New-
castle to Sunderland.

Monday last, a very numerous meeting of that
valuable body, the Lieutenants of his Majesty's
Navy, took place at the Prince William Henry, Ply-
mouth Llisvck, to consult about framing a humble pe-
tition, praying an increase of their pay equal to their
rank and responsibility in the service.
Lientenant.Gcnctal Sir JOHN Doi E, Bart. arrived
yesterday in town from Ireland.

A Gentleman in the army of Sir D. BAIRD, dated
Villalba, a place between Corunna and Lugo, writes
as follows:

a Notwithstanding we are at a pause, sty situa-
tion leaves me scarce a moment's respite ; but I will
not let an opportunity of writing pass, at this most
critical moment. My original opinion of the impos-
sibility of the Spanish levies withstanding the shock
of equal numbers of disciplined troops, is fully con-
firmed. Reports of the most disastrous nature respect-
ing Blake's army, are hourly received. Couriers,
Pnests, and country people arrive in numbers. It is
impossible to collect the truth from such a confusion
of accounts, but where nothing but calamitous re-
ports are heard, there can be no doubt that the
French have succeeded ; to what extent cannot be
ascertained, perhaps even by the Commander-in-
Chief, who is, however, I am certain, from many
circumstances, in possession of alarming intelligence.
I will not hazard the communication of uncertain in-
formation, and especially when it is of so gloomy a
nature, as that to which we can indeed hardly refuse
our belief. This is however certain, the French
have advanced considerably. How far we know not.
We know that a corps of Spanish troops, on their
march from Madrid for Burgos, %sere completely
surprised and routed by the French, who had passed
through that place some leagues, and were marching
South, on the very route which the Spaniards were
pursuing.
You may judge by this of the rapidity of the
French. Nothing can exceed the inveteracy of the
lower classes in Spain against them. It is other-
wise with the higher ranks, for it has been a complete
revolution of the People. If the French have suc-
ceeded to the extent which is reported, our junction
with the army of Sir John Moore will be very diffi-
cult. It is the most extraordinary thing imaginable,
that whilst Sir John's army is almost perishing with
hunger, and obliged to proceed in small detachments
a day's march asunder, the French push on, without
seeming to experience any difficulty of supply. The
patience of the British is incredible ; but they are not
seasoned. Great anxiety pre►ails for Moore's army,
of the situation of which we have no certain informa-
tion."