The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-09-27 00:00:00

REP 'ET OF MARSHAL LAURISTON TO' TUE MINISTER OF

WAR.
" Head-Quarters, Orcayen, Sept. 19.
" I informed your Excellency, in my report of the 14th,
of the opening of the trenches on the 10th before the ci-
tadel of Pampeluna: this first operation having entirely
succeeded, I direct my attention to the erection of the
batteries, and suspended the labours of the engineers who
were ready to proceed beyond the parallel.
" The artillery had great difficulties to overcome. The
rain had so spoiled the roads, that the conveyance et/ the
cannon and all the apparatus was difficult. 'The artiTlery-
anen, with their usual zeal, worked night and day in erect-
ing batteries in the trenches under the fire of the citadel.
in concering with General Boucher, I had especially en-
deavoured to direct the principal preparations of the attack.
to hatter all parts of the front attacked with 50 cannon, 16
er 12 pounders, in 8 batteries, independent of 31 morters
or howitzers, and 5 batteries previously erected. On the
15th, the enemy had redoubled his fire to destroy the new
batteries that were erecting, and even succeeded in damag-
ing two of them. Notwithstanding these obstacles, all
was ready in time, and I ordered the firing to begin on the
16th, in the morniuz.
" In the night of the 15'h, the engineers having work-
men at their disponi, completed various operations (which
are described) to facilitate the attack.
" On the 16th, at day-break, the combat commenced
between our artillerymen and those of the garrison. The,
superiority of our fire over that of the place, which was
balanced at the first, was soon manifest. Before 9or 10
o'clock, most of theembrasures of the citadel were damaged,
those or the grand cavalier of the Royal bastion crumbled
to pieces as it were under our fire: every shot in the stone
work had the effect of grapeshot, from the splinters of the
stones. In our trenches, on the contrary, our epaulments
resisted, and though many balls strut k, yet most of them
were buried in the earth, without doing mischief. The
enemy began to answer the fire less vigorously, having,
as we hive since learnt, already a great number of gunners
/.ors de combat. Ours increased their efforts in proportion,
and constantly fired with precision, without precipitatitat
or confusion. The result of such a contest could not long
be doubtful. The silence of the citadel slackened our fire,
which soon ceased entirely, far want of aliment. About
two o'clock the Spanish Bag was hoisted on a part of the
rampart whence it was easily to he seen ; soon after it was
replaced by a white flag. I gave orders to cease the fire
every where, bat to continue the works in the trenches,—
Iln the night, an important communication was, in fact, ef-
fected, and loop-holes were made before the head of the zig-
zags, to place there, two together, some chosen marksmen,
with orders to keep up a constant fire on the gunners of the
place.
" These precautions, which might have proved not use-
less, became so by the event. Gen. Dainremont, com-
mander of the trenches, sent me in the evening a letter from
the Governor, who desired to send to me officers with a flag
of truce. to treat of a capitulation. I replied that I was
ready to receive them. After some explanation. I sent
them back to the town the chief of my staff, Major Gen.
St. Cyr Nugeres, whom I charged with my instructions
and my full powers to conclude and sign. He returned on
the 11th in the morning, with the capitulation which '1
have had the honour to send your Excellency, signed in
duplicate. lint by virtue of my orders, and of the last
article, he caused, as he left the place. the gates of Secours.
of the citadel, and of La Taconera. to he occupied by some
chosen companies. I have since sent a battalion into the
citadel. Gen. Dainremont establishes order in the city,
and prepares barracks for- the entrance of our troops. The
garrison, who are prisoners of war, amount to 5,400 men.
1 shall, without loss of time. send it under a good escort
to St. Jean, Pied de Port. I have made it lay down its;
arms. My preceding reports have been addressed to your
Excellency, it will be easy foe you to judge of the whole of
the operations of the siege of Pampeluna, which was pre-
ceded on the ad of Sept. by a brilliant action of infantry ;
commenced on the 10th, by opening the trenches in a man-
ner that does honour to the engineers; terminated on the
16th by afire of artillery, vigorously and skilfully directed,
which destroyed in a few hones the defences of the place,
against a more numerous garrison, and which might have
hoped for succour. Oar army, notwithstanding our im-
nsensomateriel in artillery, could certainly not have under-
taken the siege. The infantry, by its zeal and valour, has
np for all we wasted. 1 can say. that the troops of
description have merited my praise and the ap-

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