Star.
London, England, 1823-04-16 00:00:00

WAR IN PORTUGAL.

The great press of Parliamentary matter in our
yesterday's Paper, prevented us taking any further
notice of the contents of the Lisbon journals which
we had then in our possession, than merely to state
the defeat of the Anti-Constitutional party before the
town of Amarante, on the 23d ult. The following
are the most interesting particulars of the affair, ex-
tracted. from a dispatch of General REGO, and some
private accounts containeel in the Barbolela Deriense:
LETTER FROM GENERAL REGO TO SENOR MANUEL

GONcALVES DE MIRANDA.

On the 22d, I was infortned that the factious, finding it im-
possible to force any of the posts on our centre, were marching
on Arnarante where they did net expect to find any serious re-
sistance. This was, however, precisely the manceuvre most fa-
vourable for us. The factious wishing to make their attack
secure, opened, at day-break on the 23d, a brisk fire on Villa
Ponca de Tamega and Gatan. The better to cover their ma-
noeuvre/ they attempted to form a moveable bridge or raft Gotha
river, but they wure prevented by the gallant efforts of a detach-
ment of the 15th, and the militia of Basta The. soldiers of the
21st Regiment, with their colours and three' pieces of irtilleryi
have come over to the troops ander my command:
" LUIZ DO ItRGO BARRETTO.
" Head-quarters at Anaarante, tdarcb 24."
• The Dispatch of Colonel Snares states that the
number of the prisoners taken at Arnarante; and the •
soldiers who had come over to the Constitutionalists,
amounted to not less than 300, besides the wounded,
estimated at 200, but many of whom the factious had
carried off. The loss of the Constitutional troops he
states to be only 51 killed, wounded, and missing.
The Supplement of the Diario also contains a let-
ter from General Stubbs, announcing the retaking of
a detachment of the 2d Regiment of Cavalry, which,
while marching to join General Rego, had been pre-
vailed on by some Priests to desert in the neighbour-
, hood of Villa Vicosa.

VICTORY, AND BATTLE OF AMARANTE.
" OPORTO, Hagen £4, Twatva o'Ctocr.
" Yesterday, the 23d, very early in the morning, the factious
began to show themselves on different points, keeping a smart
fire with our advanced pests on the passes of Caters, Salto, Mon..
dim, and Van. But as they presented themselves in no great
force, it was easily ascertained that their real object was the im-
portant pass of Amarante, where, between eight and trine o'clock
in the morning, a very brisk fire begin, which lasted without in-
termission till four in the afternoon, when it ended in a com-
plete defeat of the rebels, who were completely routed and put
to flight in the greatest disorder and confusion, the rebels re-
tiring towards Gatiaens, opposite to Gets= The rebels at-
tacked with all their force of infantry and cavalry; headed by
the Er-Count Amarante, his uncle, Anthony Silveira, Generals
G. Texeira, and L. Val ; they left 250 prisoners, and bad 16
killed and 40 wounded on the field of action. The prisoners are
of the different corps that bad joined him, and many pf the 24th
infantry, whose behaviour, in all respects, has been the moss
shocking, degrading, and shameful; and, indeed, what never
could be expected trom Portuguese soldiers.
" The brave sth 'Ca/adores had the good fortune to arrive at
Amarante in the heat of the combat. Victory immediately fol.
11/Wed, and with it the shameful flight and dispersion of the rebels.
Many of the troops made prisoners in the affair of the 13th have
rejoined vs. The kiss of the enemy cannot be calculated exactly,
as many wounded are left in the houses on the roads.
rr A very katresting, though lamentable fact, happened on
that day. A private of the sth Cagadores met a soldier of the
Zith Infantry, whom he soon recognized to be his own brother.
He called him by his own name, saying, Here I am, bug live
the Constitution !"fo this his brother anawered, 6 No! long live
the Silveirasi' Hearing this, the soldier of the Cagadore bat-
tallim fired at him, and immediately shot his own brother!"
Amarante is the same town that gave the title to
the ex:Count. It stands on the left of the Tamega,
.over which there is a beautiful bridge, where the hate
Count Amarante resisted, for several days, Generals
Laborde and Loison, in 1809, who had been detached
from Oporto by Soult, in order to destroy Amarante's •
corps, and open communications through Tras os
Montes with the French in Gallicia and Leon.
LISBON, MARCH 21.

In the sitting of the Corms on the tOth, a com-
mittee drew up the following project of s law, which
was approved.
1. The districts which, without being compelled by a military
force, shall rise against the Constitutional System, are placed
under martial law.
2. The Government may antborixe the Commanders of the
Constitutional troops to punish even with death, by sentence of
Court martial, individuals, of whatever dam or condition, wbo
shall tate up arms against the Conatitodooal System. •
I. The Government can authorize the same Commanders so
grant any amnesty, always excepting the Chits of the rebellion.
, 4. The expense of lbe army acting against Iles rebels aball be
defrayed out et their own property.