Star.
London, England, 1829-08-31 00:00:00

THE VICTORY OF TERCEIRA.

The following interesting description of this victory is
given by an eye witness, and appears in the Morning
Herald of this morning, addressed to the Editor :

TIRCIURA, Atm. 14.
" Sia—Allow me to make use of the columns of your highly re-
spectable paper, to acquaint the public with the particulars of an
engagement which took place here on the 11 th inst. between the
troops of her Majesty the Queen of Portugal and those of Don
Miguel, the usurper of that country.
Being an eye-witness of the transaction, I can vouch for the ac-
curacy of the facts which I relate, and assure you that Ido not
state the most minute circumstance hut from actual obsetvation.
The fleet of Don Miguel appeared off the island about a fortnight
since, and continued cruising until the 11th, without any attempt
at landing, the wind not being favourable. On the night of the
10th it shifted to the west, accompanied with a thick fog and rain.
About nine o'clock on the morning of the 11th the whole Beet,
consisting of 22 vessels, were observed to bear up for Prays, a
large bay about four leagues to the east of Angra, the capital
of the island, and affording every facility for disembarkation.
The bay is defended by five small batteries, and some
intrenchments which have been lately thrown up. The
whole force in the batteries and intrencbments did not ex-
ceed four hundred men; the fleet of Don Miguel consisted
of one line of battle ship, the John the Sixth, tour frigates,
two corvettes, four brigs, two schooners, and other vessels (in all
twenty-two), having on board 4,000 troops ; the whole came to
anchor in the bay without being perceived, owing to the dense fog,
the vessels of war with their bioadsides to the shore, and com-
menced firing at the forts before the people on shore were aware
of their being in the bay. The cannonade commenced about half-
past eleven o'clock, and continued without intermission till four
in the afternoon, when the first division of Don aliguel's troops,
amounting to one thousand men, were embarked on board
the boats belonging to the vessels, and also a number of boats be-
longing to the other islands, protected by the guns of the ships, and
covered by several gun boats. The moment the troops approached
the shore the battle became general; the cannonade continued and
the firing of musketry commenced. The utter destruction of the
little band of volunteers who opposed the landing of this formidable
force seemed to be for a moment inevitable, but an exertion of coy-
rage,which nothing but desperation could inspire, saved them; with
the coolness of men resolved to perish theytook a deliberate aim from
behind their intrenchmeuts, and then rushed on their enemies with a
fury nothing could withstand. It is quite impossible fur me to give
any thing like a faithful description of the slaughter which fol-
lowed ; but, that an idea may be formed of the spirit by which
these brave men were animated, I need only mention one fact,
which I shall simply relate, and let it speak for itself. The
troops of Don Miguel obtained possession of one of the forts so
suddenly, that one volunteer remained in it, unable to es-
cape. This hero, finding himself alone, and no hope left but
the mercy of his enemies, which be well knew how to appreciate,
turned to his pursuers, reproached them as traitors, telling them
they should never have the satisfaction of taking his life ; and,
while he kept his eye firmly fixed on them, deliberately blew out
his brains. Nothing but the union of such a spirit could have
achieved the incredible victory which followed this glorious struggle
—a struggle not to be paralleled in the annals of modern warfare;
and, whatever may be its ultimate results, one which cannot fail to
cover the actors in it with immortal fame. I candidly confess to
you that, had I not witnessed the transaction, I should nut have
thought it possible, nor should I have credited the relation of the
facts I saw, if described by any other person, however respectable.
I am altogether unequal to the details of this sanguinary battle, but
you may judge of its obstinacy by its results. I need only inform
Dmthat the loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, on the side of
Miguel, amounts to more than three times the number of
those who fought against them. There are at this moment 520
soldiers in the different prisons; 14 officers, two of whom are Lieu-
tenant-Colonels • two superior officers killed—namely, Lieut.-Cul.
Jose Azeredo, Chief of Brigade ; Major D. Eneas de Costa, Com-
mander of the Grenadier Companies; Lieut.-Col. Doutel, Com-
mander of the second brigade, wounded on board the John VI. ;
and several of inferior rank have been found among the slain.
Ia a word, the whole of his first division, amounting to 1,000 men,
have been either killed, wounded, or token; independent of those
who must have been killed and wounded on board the ships, a
number, no doubt, considerable, as the cannonade continued Irons
half-past eleven in the morning until half-past seven in the evening,
when the firing ceased; and, as if nothing should be wanting to
render the victory complete, the ships abandoned their anchors and
cables, and put to sea in the night. They still continue hovering
in sight of the island, but keep at a very respectful distance.
The most extraordinary circumstance attending this incredible
victory is the fact that the official returns, which I have myself
seen, show no more than nine killed, and SIS wounded, on the side
of the Constitutionalists. In the fleet of Doo Miguel there

ars three British vessels, which have been taken by his
*quadrat, and are now under Portuguese names, and manned
by Portuguese sailors. Their names were the Brims, the Vine,
and, I believe, the Althea, but I atn not certain as to the name of
the latter. It Is stated by the prisoners (who seem quite at their
ease) to have been the intention of Don Miguel to have put every
man on the island above the rank of a serieant to death, to have
pardoned such of the soldiers as instantly laid down their arms ;
and to deliver such of the inhabitants as have been opposed to him
to be tried by a Comntissioo similar to that of Oporto. In fact,
according to their account, his plan contemplated the utter exter-
mination of all who are opposed to him ; but, for the honour of
human nature, let us hope he is not so bloody. Whatever were
his intentions, the valour of a handful of patriots has disappointed
his sanguinary purpose ; and it will no doubt be thought incredible
by some that a victory so glorious could possibly be achieved by a
few, not exceeding 400 men. However, the fact is true : not only
did they destroy or take 1,000 soldiers of Don Miguel, but they
also took four gun-boats, and destroyed five others.
These are the results of the admirabk dispositions which have
been made by the Count Villa Flor since his arrival here. The con-
fidence of both the troops and the people in his government—the
union consequent upon the mild and conciliating measures which he
adopted on his arrival—and, above all, his personal activity and
energy since the appearance of the fleet off the island, aided by his
very efficient Staff—in fact, the mutual confidence of both General
and troops, the justice of their cause, and the valour which the love
of freedom inspires, contributed to the achievement of this extra-
ordinary victory.
There can be no doubt that the Queen owes the preservation of
her authority here to the wise measure of sending out the Count of
Villa Flor. Previous to his arrival, the people were beginning to
be apprehensive of the vengeance of Don Miguel; and I firmly
believe that, had he not arrived so opportunely, this island would
at this moment be in the power of the Usurper. At present, it is
in such a state of organization and defence as to defy the utmost
power of Portugal, supposing It unanimous and legitimately go-
vetoed. The wonder Isere is, by what magic. Don Miguel has
been able to fit out so formidable a fleet, and so completely found
in all the requisites for its intended purpose. 0.

By the Dutch Mail this day we have Hamburg and
other continental Papers to the 26th instant. From El-
sinore, we hear that the orders issued to reinforce the
Russian Fleet are recalled, and a very feasible reason is
-assigned, therefore—namely, that " serious differences
are apprehended between England and Russia respecting
the affitirs!of the East." Nothing more likely we think.
An article from Berlin which we find among these papers,
and which is subjoined, is deserving of some attention.
It is to the effect that the King of Pa v sat is on his
way to Paris,—because, first, the " Prussian Ministry ap-
pear very desirous that France may not, under present
circumstances, be too closely connected with England ;"
and secondly, " that Prussia may not be placed under
the necessity of putting itself in a manner more forward
than it has hitherto done." Finally, we perceive by an
article from Cracow, that the Russians continue as active
as possible in augmenting their military force in the in-
terior of their vast Empire. The following selections,
bearing on these points, are all highly interesting:—

ELSINORE, Aug. ti.
Hitherto only a few small men of war have arrived in the Sound
of the Russian Sect, which has long been expected from Crunstadt
oo its way to the Archipelago and the Dardanelles. It is now re-
ported that the ships of that fleet have received counter orders, and
will therefore not proceed to their intended destination. There are
various reports in circulation respecting the reasons for these new
orders. Some persons think that serious differences are to be alt.
Ctedbetween England and Russia, respecting the affairs of the
hich, if not amicably adjusted, might lead to the detention
of that fleet in the Channel.

-
CHRISTIANIA, Atm 16.
The numbers of the English Yacht Clab have obtained permis-
sion frost his Majesty for their vessels to enter and sail from the
ports of Norway without payment of the usual harbour doer.—
Heisdnegii. CerreeportiwW, N.

THE HAGUE, Am. V.
Accounts from Major General Bischeff say, that he arrived safe
on 7th May in the Straits of Sunda, and the Nehallenia was to sail
for Batavia the following day. Hostilities were recommenced in
Java about the middle of April, the negotiations with the insur-
gents having failed. Up to the 7th May. according to the official
accounts, no engagement of importance had taken place. Private
letters, however. say there had been a severe engagement with the
insurgents, in which the Netherlands' troops had gained a com-
plete victory,—which needs confirmation.
According to the latest reports from Lieutenant-General de
Kock, Diepo Negoro, at the head of about 1200 men, had made an
incursion into the district of Deraeasewoct. lie still retained his
greatest influence in Maturam, and exerted himself to the utmost
to maintain his ground there. The bead quarters of the troops of
the Netherlands was still at Magatang at the end of April. One of
the smartest actions was on the 18th April, when a column of the
enemy, consisting of 600 men, attacked Lieutenant-Colonel Ledel,
its his position, near Sentolo. The attack was very impetuous, but
the enemy was at length put to flight by a charge with the bayonet.