Star.
London, England, 1810-09-05 00:00:00

FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE.

SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE PAPERS.

SPANISH EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE, AUGUST 11

The General in Chief of the army of Catalonia,
Don H. O'Donnell, has transmitted to the Minister of
War the following report, dated Tarragona, July 22.
" Most Excellent Sir—The enemy's army in Ar-
ragon, composed, according to authentic accounts, of
12,000 foot and 1000 horse, continues in its positions
on both banks of the Ebro, within gun-shot of the
fortress of Tortosa. There i 3 but a small force of
infantry on the left bank, and in the vicinity of the
place, the main body occupying this bank and the
environs of Tibisa, in order to cover the transport ofl
their artillery and provisions, and to oppose a division
of our army, consisting of 4000 infantry and 200 ca-
valry, posted in the town of Talset, for the purpose of
observing the enemy's force in Tibisa, and intercept-
ing its communication.
" On the 11th, 15:10 men of this division, com-
manded by Brigadier-General Don P. Glarvia Mar-
vella, attacked the enemy's corps, superior in force,
which occupied the environs of Tibisa, completely
defeated and pursued it to the banks of the Ebro,
where the enemy had constructed a considerable in-
trenchment, which served him for shelter. his loss
in killed and wounded was great, and greater than
ours.

44 On the 13th, the enemy attacked the aforesaid
corps of Brigadier-General Marvella with a very su-,
perior force of infantry, three 1 ieces of ordnance, and
300 horse. Our troops fought for four hours with
the utmost gallantry and order, but were obliged to
fall back to. the position of Pradix. On this retreat
the regiment of foot of America peculiarly distin-
guished itself, being attacked with fixed bayonets by
a superior force, it -kept its tire till the enemy had ad-
vanced within pistol-shot, and, by three successive
discharges, threw the enemy into disorder, and re-
pulsed him.

" On the 14th the division of Major• General Cam-.1
poverde arrived in Falsat, attacked on the 15th the

enemy in Tibisa, and completely routed him, with
considerable loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners.!
Campoverde was following up the advantage which
he had gained, but the enemy having received consi-
derable reinforcements of infantry and cavalry from
the right bank of the Ebro, he found himself corn-
pelted to fall back to the position which he occupied
before the attack. The enemy's loss was very consi-
derable, leaving on the field of battle, one Colonel
and 17 Officers, besides a proportionate number of
men of all other classes. Our loss was also consider.
able, but much less.

" On that side severe engagements daily take
place, and it may fairly be affirmed that he pays very,
dearly for the scanty rations he collects in the neigh-
bouring places, where he is always received with blows
—the whole nation breathing the utmost patriotism
and valour. The same is the case with the garrison
of Tortosa. All the armed force of the district of
that town, and of those of Tarragona and Lerida,
have risen in mass, in order to harass the enemy, who
besieges that place, and as yet the communication
with the place remains open. The Count of Alath,
whom hi 4 Majesty has appointed Governor of the for.,
tress of Tortosa, has arrived, and, after having taken
the usual oath, he assumed' on the 19th, the command
of the place. The provisions which his Majesty has
been pleased to send for the said place have also ar-
rived.

" A small division of this army posted at Bala-I
guar to cover the crops of Argel, and secure their
barvest, was lately attacked by part of the garriso4
of Lerida, superior in force, which was repulsed with
a considerable loss. In this action the battalion of
the volunteers of Ultonia and Auseguaiza gready
'distinguished itself.
l n the town of Olot a corps of peasants 111 orga-
nized, which doe§ much mischief to tAe mph &tt

overawes the whole country as far as the vicinity of
Gerona. In two successive actions, in which that.
corps was engaged with forces at least of ,equal
strength, it defeated them, killed many men, and took
68 prisoners. In the line of Llobregat, part'al engage.
ments have also daily taken place, in which the enemy
was constantly defeated ; and in one of them Captain
Don .I,se Moreda, of the battalion of the light sec-
tion of the first Catalonian legion, distinguislled him-
self in such a manner, that in the name of his Majesty
I have Nomoted him to the rank of Lieutenant-Colo-
nel. Having received intelligence that the enemy
made preparations to advance to Barcelona, escorting
a large convoy, I ordered the Ist and 2d division of
infantry, 6,500 strong, and the Ist division of cavalry,
consisting of 700 horse, and about 2300 armed pea-
sants, to advance to the environsoof Granellers, in
Order to attack the enemy on his march, taking ad-
vantage of the circumstance, that the enemy would
be obliged to divide his force for.the purpose of co-
vering the convoy. The main body of the enemy's
forces, composed of from 10 to 12,000 infantry, 900
horse, and a proportionate train of artillery, already
advanced, under the orders of General Macdonald,
on the 18th inst. to carry the said operations into
effect. Our divisions were attacked by 8000 infantry,
all the cavalry, and three pieces of cannon, in the vi-
cinity of Grudillors. Our gallant troops, although
inferior in number, beat off four attacks, v. ith a cool-
ness, order, and valour, worthy of the highest praise.
The enemy was obliged to retreat and leave us in
possession of the field of battle, though during the
severe conflict, which lasted six hours, the convoy
entered Barcelona, under protection of the remaining
400 men. The armed peasants fought with peculiar
valour, but did not exactly execute the orders which
they received, for had they, during the action, fallen
upon the rear of the-convoy, they would have captured
a great part thereof.
" I have not yet received the particulars of that
brilliant action, but to judge by the general report of
Major-General Don M. Iranzo, it is one of those
which do particular honour to the valour, discipline,
and firmness of the Spanish soldiers, and the worthy
General who commanded, as well as all the officers
and men, who have a just claim to the gratitude of
their country, and the thanks of his Majesty. The
enemy, according to authentic accounts,lett 700 on the
field of battle, and conveyed to Barcelona a great
number of wounded. We lost from 120 to 140 killed,
and 400 wounded.

Iranzo, after that action, fell back to Llobregat,
but in order to prevent the enemy from taking post
between this river and the unconquerable position of
Montserrate, which I have caused to be fortified, and
which may now be called a fortress, I ordered a di-
vision of 3000 men, under Brigadier-General Don A.
G. de Marvella to take a position on the Callbota, in
the rear of Montserrate ; and the Major• General
marched, with the remainder of his troops, to the
neighbouring heights of San Saturne, in order to effect
from thence his retreat to Tarragona, should the
enemy follow him in his movement in that direction ;
shaping his motions agreeably to those of Suchet's
army, with the intention of attracting our attention
that way, in•order to favour the siege of Tortosa.—
Nor is it any ways impossible that the movement of
Suchet against Tortosa has no other object than to
draw our forces to that quarter, in order immediately
to operate in concert with Macdonald, and attack
this place. In both these cases I shall leave strong
divisions in the enemy's rear, and on 1-i,; flank, to
render difficult his communications, and intei.cci,t
them, and watch opportunities of renewing the scenes
of Villa Franca, Manresa, and Esparra-Guera.
" GOD preserve your Excellency many years.
(Signed) " H. O'DONWILL."
" Head-quarters, Tarragona, July 42."