Star.
London, England, 1812-01-06 00:00:00

ARMY or THE SOUTH.

LETTER PROM THE MARSIIAL DUKE UF DALMATIA TO
HIS HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WAGRAM AND NEUF
CHATEL.

Sertll::, November 16.
The report which I had the honour of making on
the 2d instant to your Excellency, upon the surprize
which Genered Girard experienced on the morning
of the 28t11 of October, presented no details. The
honour of our arms is saved—the eagles have not
fallen into the power of the enemy.
The remains of the two battalions have joined the
filth corps, with Generals•Girard and Dombrousk;,
and the Stair of the Army which was with this rear-
gu ird.

According to the reports which have reached me,
our loss consists of 400 infantry, 120 cavalry, 200
horse, and 25 artillerymen, who belonged to the three
pieces taken. General Brun' was in march not far
from Arroya de Molinos, at the head of 150 horse of
the 20th regiment of dragoons, when the enemy at-
tacked the village.
He instantly retraced his steps, and executed with
much valour three charges ; but :he forces were too
dispronortionate ; his horse was overthrown, and he
had the misfortune to tall into the enemy's power.—
The Duke d'Aremberg was also dismounted in a
charge, and in falling received two bayonet wounds.
It is said they are not dangerous. His brother, a
Lieutenant in the 27th, received permission to visit
him at the advanced posts between Elvas and Campo
Mayor. I greatly regret, that among the brave men
that the army has, for a time, lost in this unfortunate
rencontre, we have to reckon General Bron and the
Duke d'Aremberg, so much distinguished fur their
valour and merit. •

I have the honour t' inclose for your Excellency,
a report from General Count D'Erlon, dated 4th inst.
to which is joined a copy of that from General Girard,
of the 21

Your Excellency can, therefore, inform his Ma-
jesty of all the details respecting this event which
hive hitherto reached me, to which I will add those
1 may receive.
The conduct of the General of Division is too re-
prehensible, not to give room for a strongly marked
disapprobation.
I informed your Excellency, that if General Girard
should return, I would displace him from the com-
mand of his division, and have him brought to a court-
martial. Considering, notwithstanding, what he has
done since his surprise, to bring back the remains of
the two battalions, and save the Eagles ; considering
likewise, that the light cavalry had not established
a guard to discover the defile by which the enemy
penetrated, I have thought it best, waiting farther
Instructions for your Excellency, to confine m) self to
depriving him of his command, and sending him to
Cordova, where he will remain unemployed till a new
disposition. I have directed the General of Division,
Barrois, to join the 7th corps and replace him.
General Count Erlon proposed to me to reduce two
battalions, the 34th and 40th regiments of the line.
This measure appears to me useful for the good of the
service ; in consideration of the actual force of these
two regiments, I am going to order it, and will send
the result to your Excellency.
I have received letters from General Philippon, Co.
veruor of B.tdajoz, dated Ist of October. He gives
me a satisfactory account of his situation.
A considerable convoy, which I sent from Sevir...,
hats arrived at Badajoz. I am, &e.

.MARSHAL DUKE OF DALMATIA.

REPORT FROM GENERAL COUNT D'ERLON TO THE MAR-
-511.1L DUKE Oi DALNIATIA.
I yesterday received Girard's report. I smd the
original to your Excelle:icy, by an Aid-de-camp of
that General, in order that you may question him
upon what happened. There was throughout a re-
!
• prehensible security, but the honour of the French
arms has been saved by the firmness and valour r f
the Generals Girard and Dombrouski ; and this af-
fa:r, which might have been atunded with fatal, even
dishonourable consequences, ought now to be ranked
• in the number of those which are not unfrequent in
war.
General Girard has brought back with him 800
men ;he had 1300. •
I have drawn from Badajoz the battalion of the
40th ; this battalion will join its regiment, and be
replaced by one of the 88th.
I will form the 40th and 34th in two battalions, in
order to give these two regiments. tl.e organization
which belongs to their actual situation, and the num-
ber of office's which remain.
Head-quarters, Almendralego, Nov. 4,1811.
LETTER FROM GENERAL GIRARD TO THE DUKE OF
DALMATIA.
Marshal—The Count D'Erlon directed my Aide-
de-camp to deliver to your Excellency the report of
the battle of Arroyo de hlolinos..
Your Excellency will see that I was in march ;
that I could have retired and avoided fighting with
my rear-guard, .but the cavalry had compromised
themselves, and it would have been requisite to haie
abandoned them. The enemy was numerous. I con-
sidered but the honour of the arms of his Majesty,
the duty of a devoted soldier. I marched upon the
English, :tad by‘drawing upon myself all the forces
of the enemy disengaged the light cavalry.
'We have suffered sensible losses, but disengaged
ourselves ssith honour from the most difficult post.•
tion. Three times surrounded, three times-we opened-
ourselves a passage with the bayonet. •
Marshal—l shall be iu despair if the results of this
unfortunate affair should make me folfcit the confiT
dente of his Majesty. I merit it by the sentiments-
which directed me—by those which animate me.
(Signed) GIRARD. • ••
REPORT OF GENERAL GIRARD TO GENERAL COUNT
• D'ERLON, cOI4NIANDER OF THE FIFTH CORP.
Ribera, November 2.
My General—l send my Aide-de-camp to gots
with the details of the battle of Arrryo Molinos.
my dep!rture from Caceres, some vague rei:orts, but
without I..undation, announced 'a movement of the
English. I quitted that posit!on to come and pass
the atTorseMoyha, and cn the 27th at Arroyo
M During these two days no demonstration
g ive reason to believe in the march of an enemy's
corp.
I was to proceed on the 28th t' Merida. General
Reruond had orders to repair toMedellin. The troops'
a.semuled at six o'clock, and immediately began'
their march. The rear-guard put itself in motion at
half past seven) whim :Louts and discharges of taut.