Star.
London, England, 1811-04-16 00:00:00

Pitt

___ Prise* tad boas koreimel lato
I ‘7or i and though the AM is bite small
have hopes it will Saend itself p' 11
by Marshal Bamford.
" Your Excellency has probably eeest the Imperial
Decree, appointing Marshal Dessieres Governor of
the 6th Government of Spain, which comprehends,
besides Castile, all the provinces of the North. The
troops destined for this General do not form a very
cient corps, or in any respect disposable, with the
exception of the Imperial Guards, of which there has
been a detachment in Spain for more than a year, pro-
bably in order to be ready to attend the Emperor,
should he find it convenient to visit the Peninsula.
44 I have also been informed that Marshal Bessieres
has assembled at Zamora about 7000 men, princi-
pally of the Imperial Guards, and troops from all the
garrisons of Castile."

PRIVATE LETTERS.
The following is an Extract of a Letter from en
10ffieet of the 25d Regiment :

" Tbomar, March 17, 1111.
About the Ist instant the French began to move
their sick and baggage, and continued to Ilk off until
the sth at night, when our light division entered San-
tarem and found it vacant, but nearly demolished, it
being set on fire. At day-light on the Stla we march-
ed from Aveyras de Luna to Cartaxo ; but, from the
strength of Santarem, and not having exact informa-
tion whether the enemy had abandoned the place or
not, his Lordship was cautious, and we returned to
our old quarters for the night. We again marched
at day-break on the 6th, and entered Santarem in
the evening, where we found the division above men-
tioned had found their way the night before. Our
11 second day's march was to Golegan, where we found
' boiled beans left by the enemy, who had quitted early
in the morning. The third day we reached 'Mornay.,
in the evening, and found that Ney had only left it
in the morning, so close did we follow them up, by
hard and long marches over the worst roads 1n the
world. The next night we took up our abode in the
open air, in constant rain, and had nothing to cover
us but our great-coats and blankets. Hard times!—
From this ground iv; had a forced march of 30 miles,
and found nearly the whole of the British army as-
iernbled on a large plain near Pombal. Our division,
with the light division, became the advanced guard

of the arm-y.
ds At Pembal we came up with the enemy, and drove'
them out that evening, but not till they had set it on
fire and destroyed it completely. From this town
they posted themselves very judiciously An a range of
heights, with a broad river and marsh it'k their front.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, it was determined
to attack them ; and, although we had marched 30
' miles, its being dark alone prevented us from doing
it immediately. Every disposition was. made'to do
it at day-break, but they decamped in the night,leay-
ing large fires burning, in order to deceive us. We'
came up with them on a plain close upon Rediriba,
) where they made a stand, and a very smart skirmish '
ensued : Ney commanded. His line and artillery
were posted on the ridge of a hill, from whence he
threw a vast deal of round-shot. Our cavalry made
several desperate charges, to little or no effect. Our
division filed into the plain, consisting of the follow.
I ing Regiments :
lot Line, 2tl Battalion It7tb, 4Cch, sod 97th, and Iltb and 93d
Portuguese Regiments.
_ _ .

" 2d Lite,-16t1s Pc;loguese Ref,imeot on the right, 2341 Welsh
Purities, and 7th Regiments utl Battalions.
.. The light companies of the right brigade (the
first line) were thrown out in front, and skirmished.
I The enemy's artillery played on us in high stile, and
Many shot passed very close to me. Our first line
lost about 20 men, killed and wounded. To have
seen us deploy and march in line as we did, yOu
would have been highly pleased : I never saw better.
The troops were in the highest spirits, and, to dojos.
iice to the Portuguese, they equalled ns. When ouf
first line approached within about 400 yards withou'
faring, but marching steadily, in ordinary time, the ene-
my's infantry began to retire in double quick time,'
lind the artillery and cavalry followed their example.
They again formed on a very advantageous round,
in rear of the town, which was in flames. His Lord-
ship detached three divisions to outflank them, who
cut off three officers and 140 men, and killed and i
wounded about 250. Our loss was about 40. Lord I
Wellington has shewn himself a skilful General, and
Ney has manoeuvred with great judgment. It was a
beautiful sight, and every thing as regular as at a re.
view in St. James's Park.
46 The next day we bad another skirmish at Con-
I-deixa, which was very warns. Our division did we
fire, but was detached over the mountains to the left
of the enemy, and bad as hard a march as ever we
experienced. We had to clidth the most difficult
places, and what with the heat of the weather, and
being without provisions, I was nearly exhausted.—
About four, we entered a lovely little place, Panella, I
and marched on for Espinhel, where we arrived about
6P. M and found that General Nightingale's bri.
Bade had passed close to the place where Regnier
was posted with 3000 men, to prevent our outflank.
lug Ney. Every oven in the place was fullbf Indian
corn bread, which was very acceptable to General
Nightingale's brigade. The enemy had even cut
wood for tires, and brushwood to hut themselves,
which fell to our lot. Reguier hurried over the moun-
tains as quick as he could.
46 On the 15th, at three P. M. we received a dis-
patch from the Commander-in-Chief, ordering us to
march to the relief of Dadajos ; but that place has
fallen, it is said, by treachery. I with we bad bean
in time to have saved it. On receiving the order we
marched until dark, when we slept on the ground,
and a rainy night we bad of it. Yesterday we march.
ied intOthis town, about 7 P. M. having performed at
much of 95 miles. We halt here to-day, and to.'
Imorrow move on to Portalegre. Marshal Beresfo. d
goes with ns.—lt is supposed that Massen,a is retiring
I on the Ponte de Marcella, not being able to pass by
Coimbra, as the bridge is destroyed, and Colonel
W=ant Is there with 15,000 irregulars. An orderly
book was found, containing an order to burn every
1 town through which the rear-guard passed. Our be.
ing without provisions was not owing to any neglect;
the rapid 'marching was the sole cause. A ship.bis.
Wit lasted me for four days, when I was necessitated
to eat boiled Indian corn—it was the same with the
men. To-day, however, I shall make up for it,hay.
ing silt fish and fresh beef-soup for dinner, with two
bottles or wine between four of us. 'How I have
, stood the fatigue and continually sleeping 'out, I am