Star.
London, England, 1809-10-13 00:00:00

• 11/4fR IN SPAIN.

(Continual 1 from Mr STAR of ye4t:i•eloy.)
FRO)( THE IHONITE.UR.
1117TLE OF TALAVERA DE LA REYNA.
At day I,rreak, of the 28th, the enemy was seen at
the top of the hi lock, where he had planted four
pieces o cannon—a line of infantry, having its left at
the hillock, and its right atTalavera, was strengthen-
ed upon the hillock, and in the plain, by a second
line, supported by close columns in mass, and in the
rear of the infantry were perceived heads of columns
of cavalry. At the extremity of the left of the enemy's
army, some squadrons watched the valley between
the mountain and the hillock. These squadrons were
supported by two or three battalions.
Your Majesty sent orders to Marshal the Duke of
Belluno, to commence the attack. The Marshal de-
legated this operation to General Ruffin. The Gene-
ral disposed three regiments in the following manner:
The 9th light infantry on the right, the 24th in the
centre, :Ina the 96th on the left, in close columns, by
divisioirs and battalions, Jr. this c rJer that division
advanced. A lire of musketry was soon opened, and
the 24th rezlinion speedily obtained possession of the
first p-atfta m of the hillock ; it still continued its at-
tack, suppoited by the 9th and 9Eith regiments. It
had nearly gained the summit of the hillock and taken
the cannon, when the enemy attack:A it, as well as
the 9th and 96th, with fresh troops. The engagement
was obstinate and sanguinary—our troops were ob-
liged to quit the hillock, and retreated.
Your. Majesty, nho watched the attack directed by
Marshal the Duke of Belluno, saw yourself that the
retrograde movement of Ruffin's division was execu-
ted slowly, in good order. The 9th, 24th, and 96th
shewed themselves worthy of their reputation. Mar-
shal the Duke de Belluno has informed your Majesty,
that Gen-rale Ruffin and Barois, who commanded this
attack, distinguished themselves fortheexcellent dispo-
sition-; tr hich they made, and the coolness with which
they executed them. Marshal Duke de Belluno adds,
that tl:ey were ably seconded by the chief de bataillon,
Regeau, commanding the 9th, Colonel Jamin, of the
24th,-and the Chef de Battaillon, Loyard, of the 96th ;
that the latter was wounded, as well as Chaltier, Aid
du Camp to General Ruffin, and Auguste Villemorin,
Aid chi Camp to General Barois.
During the attack of the hillock, the 4th corps was
in motion. One brigade of the first division advanced
upon the left of Lapisse's division ; the other brigade
formed in echelon, in the rear. General Leval's
division watched Talavera. One brigade of the 4th
corps, coming from Arairjiier., had not yet reached
the field of battle • You: Majesty's reserve was in
the rear of the left of the Ist division, and of the
right of General Leval's division. The cavalry was
in the plain, in the rear of the infantry.
The attack of the hillock having proved unsuccess-
ful, your Majesty repaired to Marshal the Duke of
Belluno, and, alter reconnoitring the line and dispo-
sitions of theliostile army, resolved to order a general
attack on his whole front. You accordingly gave di-
rections for the following dispositions :
Marshal the Duke d Lelluno was to attack the
hiiiock with his three divisions.

neral Sebastiani was ordered to post the Ist di-
vision in two lines, on the left of General Lapisse's
vision, but a little in the reis, and to add to the second
line of this division, the brigade of the 4th, when it
arrived ; General Milhaud's division of dragoons was
placed on the left of the line, to watch Talavera.—
Gene; al Latour-Maubourg's division, and the division
cf light horse, under General Merlin, received orders
to advance upon the rear of the Ist corps, which oc-
cupied an open spot, in order to support it, and to be
able to p-ocoed into the plain «hen the hillock should
be taken. The reserve was pl.tced in a third line,
behind the Ttli corps.
The movement of the 4th corps attracted the ene-
my's notice, and a very brisk cannonade soon com-
menced.

Leval's division, which was to form in echallon,
behind the line, advanced, on the contrary, before
it. This mistake was occasioned by the rugged-
ness of the ground, and the impossibility of l er-
ceiviiig the line, among the olive-trees and vines,—
This div,ision Lad not finished deploying, when it was
attacked by the enemy with upwards of 15,000 men.
General Leval immediately supported his left by a
square, and himself attacked the enemy, who was
thrown into confusion, and left the field of battle
covered with his dead. An English regiment had
grounded its arms, and surrendered, when the Colo-
nel of the regiment by which it it bad been cut off
fell de:ad. The regiment then made a retrograde
movement, and the English regiment found itself at
liberty. No more than than übout 100 men, the
Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colianel, could be
retained. The Colonel died of his wounds. The
enemy sent fresh troops against Leval's division.
Your Majesty perceiving that this division bad en-
gaged too soon, ordered it to fall back upon the
frrOtllld which it should have occrpied. General Se-
bastiani caused this movement to be executed, and to
be supported by the second brigade of the division.
The Lne being formed, as your Majesty had deter,
mined, she troops of the 4th corps waited till the
Duke dc faun° had commenced the attack of the
hillock, before they began to act. The troops of the
.Ist corps were soon engaged.
General Lapisse passed the ravine, supported by
General Latour-Maubourg's cavalry, and also by two
batteries, each of eight pieces of cannon. General
V ilatte threatened the hillock, and covered the valley.
Gcn. Ruffin, proceeding along the foot of the great
chain of hills, endeivoured to reach the enemy's left.
At the same instant, the troops of the 4th corps
alvaileed, and a very brisk fire of musketry soon
.commenced, seconded on both sides by a well-sup-
ported fire of artillery.
The attack of Lapisse's division was at first suc-
cessful. This attack was powerfully seconded by
the artillery of the Ist corps, directed by General
Dabhoville. It nas likewise supported by the
movements which General Latour-Maubourg or-
dered the cavalry to make ; but, notwithstanding
the valour of the troops, and the intrepidity of Ge-
neral Lapisse, this division could not maintain iu
round upon the hillock. At this moment the gallant
eneral received a mortal wound. The army was
thus deprived of one of its good General Officers, and
his loss was deeply regretted by.all military men...—
The retrograde movement of Lapisse's division bay-
ing exposed the right of Sebagiani's divisions the cm-