Star.
London, England, 1811-03-26 00:00:00

AORDINART.

1, • iINS. • • •SS •. • , MARCH 25, 1811.
Disparche., of which the following are Copies, were last night
received at the Earl of Liverpool's Offict, addressed to his
Lordship by Lietitenant•Gtocral Graham, dated 131 e de Lasti,,
SA and 10411 Match, 1811.
Isle de Leon, March 6,1811.
Loan —Captain Hope, my first Aid-de-Camp,
will have the honour of delivering this dispatch to
infwm your Lordship of the glorious issue of an action
fought yesterday by the division under my command
against the army tominanded by Marshal Victor,
cdmposed of the two. divisions of Ruffin and Laval.
Tke circumstances were. such as compelled me to
attack this very superior force. In order as well to
'explain to your Lordship the circumstance'. of pecu-
liar disadvantage under which the action was begun,
as to justify myself from the imputation of rashness in
the attempt, I must state to your Lordship that the
Allied Army, after a night's march of 16 hours from
the Camp near Veger, arrived in the morning of the
sth, on the low ridge cf Barrosa, about 4 miles to the
southward of the mouth of the SantiPetri River. This
height extends inland about a mile and a half, conti-
nuing on the north the extensive healthy plain of
Chiclana. • A great pine forest skirts the plain, and
circles round the height at some 'distance, terminating
down td Santi Petri; the intermediate space between
the north side of the height and the forest being un-
even and broken.
A well conducted and successful attack on the rear
of the enemy's lines mar Sauti Petri, by the Van-
guard of the Spanish army under Brigadier-General
Ladrizabel, having opened the communication with
the Isla de Leon, I received General la Bemis's tiirec-
tions to move down from the position of Barrosa to
that of the Torre de Bermesa, about half-way to the
Santi Petri River, in order to secure the communi-
cation across the River, over which a bridge had
been lately established. This latter position occu-
pies a narrow woody ridge, the right on the sea cliff,
the left falling down to the Almanza Creek on the
edge of the Maoh. A hard sandy beach gives an
easy communication between the western points of
these two positions.
My division being halted on the eastern slope of
the Barrosa height, was marched about twelve o'clock
through the wood towards the Bermes() (cavalry pa-
voles having previously been sent towards Chiclana,
without meeting with the enemy). On the march I
received notice that the enemy had appeared in force
on the plain, and was advancing towards the heights
of Barrosa.
As I considered that position as the key of that of
Santi Petri, I immediately countermarched, in order
to support the troops left for its defence, and the ala-
crity with which this manoeuvre was executed, served
as a'favourable omen. It was, however, impossible
in such intricate and'difficult ground to preserve order
10-tbe columns, and there never was time to restore
it ewirely:
-But before we could get ourselves quite disentan-
gled froal the wood, the troops on the Barrosa hill
were seen returning from it, while the enemy's left
wingwasrapidly ascending. At the Lame time his right
wing stood on the plain, on the edge of the wood,
within cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of such an
enemy, already within reach of the easy communica-
tion by the sea beach, must have involved the whole
allied army in ail the danger of being attacked dur-
ing the unavoidable confusion of the different corps
arriving, on the narrow ridge of Bermesa nearly at the
same time.
Trusting to the known heroism of British troops,
regardless of the numbers and pOsition of the enemy,
an immediate attack was determined on. Major Dun-
can soon opened a powerful batt'ery of ten guns in the
centre. Brigadier:General.Dilkes with the brigade
of Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel Browne's (of the 28th)
flank battalicin, Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott's two
companies of the 2d Rifle Corps, and Major Achelon
with a Mir; of the 67th Foot (separated from the re-
giment in the wood) formed on the right.
Colonel Wheatly's brigade, with three companies
of the Coldstream Guards under Lieutenant-Colonel
Jackson (separated likewise from his battalion in the
wood), and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard's flank bat-
talion formed on the left.
As soon as the infantry were thus hastily get tege.
thcr, the guns advanced to a more favourable paw
Lion, and kept up a most destructive fire.
The tight wing proceeded to the attack of Get*.
ral Muffin's division on the hill, while Lieutenant-Co::
lend Barnard's battalion and Lieutenant-Color d•
Basile's detachment of the 20th Portuguese, wore
warmly engaged with the enemy's Twailleurs on
our left.
General Laval's division, notwithstanding the ha-
voc made by Major Duncan's battery, continued to
advance in very imposingsmasses, opening his fire of
musquetry, and was only checked by that of the left
Win.. The left wing now advanced firing ; a moat
AD,
determined charge by the three companies of Guards,
and the 87th Regiment, supported by all the remain-
der of the wing,:decided the defeat of General La-
val'; division.
The Eagle of the Bth Regiment of Light Infantry,
which suffered immensely, and a howitzer, rewarded
this charge, and remained in the .possession of Major
Gough of the 87th Regiment. These attacks were
*ealously supported by Colonel Belson with the 28th
f.egiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost with a
' part, Of the 67th.
reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across
which the enemy was closely pursued, next shared the
lame fate, and was routed by the same means.
MeanWhilel the right wing was not less successful :
the enemy, cones of success, met General Dilkes
and the contest was sangui-
on the asceta, cif.4he hill,
nary ; biut c lindaunted 'perseverance of the brig:-de
of Giaards, of Lieutenant-Colonel Browne's battalion,
and'of Lieutenant-Polouel Norcott's and Major Ache-
son's detachment, overcame every obstacle, and Ge-
neral Rufili's division was driven from the heights in
confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon.
No expression of mine could do justice to the con-'
duct of the troops throUghout. Nothing less than the
almost unparalleled exe: tions of every -Officer, the in-
vincible bravery of every soldier, and the most deter-
mined devotion to the honour of his Majesty's arms
in all, could have achieved this brilliant success,
against such a formidable enemy so postqd.
In less thin as hour and a half from the commence;
went of the action, the enemy was iD full actro-'