The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-09-11 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

From Mc LONDON GAZETTE, 'Carr. 9.

''''.ll."•••.

Downing-street, Sept. 7.
Dispatches, of which the following are copies
and extracts, were this day received at the office
of Viscount Castlereagh, one of his Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State, from Lieutenant.
General Viscount Wellington, K. B.

Trazillo. Angus{ 90, 11209.
My LORD.--. 1 wrote some days ago a letter to
the French Commander in Chief, which I sent to
him by Lieutenant-Colonel Walters, to request
his care and attention to the wounded officers and
soldiers of the British army wbo had fallen into
his hands, in return for the care and attention
which I had paid to the French officers and sol.
tilers, who had fallen into my hands at diferetst
times ; and that he would allow money to be sent
to the officers ; and that officers, who should not
be deemed prisoners of war, might be sent to su-
perintend and take care of the soldiers, till they
should recover from their wounds, when the oft.
cers should be sent to join the British army.
I received a very civil answer from Marshal
Mortier, promising that every possible care should
be taken, and every attention paid to the British
officers and soldiers who were wounded; but
stating that he could not answer upon the other
demands contained in my letter, having been
obliged to refer them to the French Commauder in
Chief.

Since the receipt of this letter, Mr. Dillon, the
Assistant Commissary, has arrived from Talavera,
having been taken prisoner near Cet•olla on the
27th of July, previous to the action, and having
been allowed to come sway.
He reports that the British officers and soldiers,
who are wounded, are doing remarkably well, and
are well fed and taken care of—indeed he says pre.
ferably to the French troops.
I propose to send Culonel ',Valters with another
flag of truce, to-morrow morning, and a letter to
the Commander-in-Chief of the French army, re-
questing that a sum of money, which 1 shall send,
may be given to the officers ; and I shall endea-
♦our to establish a cartel of exchange as sows as
possible.

I hare the honour to be, &c.
ARTIi eft Wk.LLIESLEY.
Lord Vircoant Castlereagh, dc.

Tres Mc, Aug. 21, 1809.
MY Loan—When marched from Talavera on
the 3d inst. with a view to oppose the French corps
which we had heard bad passed through the Puerto
de Banos, and had atrived at Plasencia, Sir Rob.
Wilson was detached, upon the left of the army,
towards Escalotnt ; and before I marched on that
morning, I pat him in communication with the
Spanish General Guest*, who it had been settled
was to remain at Talavera. I understood that
General Cuesta put Sir Robert in communication
with his advanced guard, which retired from Tala-
item on the night of the 4th.
Sir Robert Wilson, however, did not arrive at
Valada till the night of the 4th, having made a
long march through the mountains ; and as he was
then six leagues from the bridge of Arzo
and had to cross the high road from Oropesa to
Talavera, of which the enemy was in possession,
he conceived that he was too late to retire to Arzo
Bispo, and he determined to move Yenta St.
Julien and Ceutinello towards the ietara, and
across that river towards the mountains which se-
parate Castile from Extremadura.
Some of Sir Robert Wilson's dispatches having
missed me, I am not aware by which of the passes
he went through the mountains, but I believe by
Tornavacas. Ile arrived, however, at Banos on
the 11th, and on the 12th was attacked and de-
feated by the French corps of Marshal Ney,
which, with that of Soult, returned to Plasencia
on the 9th, 10th, and 11th, that of Ncy having
since gone on to Salamanca.
I inclose Sir Robert Wilson's account of the
action. Ile has been very active, intelligent, and
useful in the command of the Portuguese and Spa-
nish corps with which he was detached from this
army.
Before the battle of the 28th of July, he had
pushed his parties almost to the Aides of Madrid,
with which city he was in communication; and he
would have been in Madrid, if I had nut thought
it proper to call him in, in expectation of that go-
ncral action which took place on the 28th of July.
lle afterwards alarmed the enemy un thu right of
his army ; and throughout the service, showed
himself to he an active and intelligent partizan,
well acquainted with the country in which he was
acting, and possessing the confidence of the troops
which ho commanded.

Being persuaded that his retreat was not open
by Am Bispo, he acted right in taking the road
he did, with which he was well acquainted ; and
Though unsuccessful in the action which he
fought (which may be well accounted for, by the
superior numbers and description of the enemy's
troops), the action, in my opinion, does him
great credit.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(Slimed) A RTil U W ELLESLEY
Miranda de C.astessr. Aug. 15. 1809.
SI R—l have the holiuur to acquaint you, that I
was on march yesterday morning on the road of
Grenadelia from Aides Neuva, to restore my corn.
munication with the allied army, when a peasant
assured us, that a considerable quantity of dust,
which we perceived in the toad of Plasencia, pro.
seeded from the march of a body of the enemy.
I immediately returned, and took post in front
of Banos, with my pickets in advance of Aldea
Neuva, selecting such points fur defence as the
exigency of the time permitted.
The enemy's cavalry advanced on (be high road,
and drove back my small cavalry posts; but a
picket of Spani4h infantry, which I bad concealed,
poured in on the cavalry a steady and well.
directed fire, that killed and wounded many of
them.
The 200 Spanish infantry in advance of Aide*
Neuva, continued, under the direction of Col.
Grant and their Officers, to maintain their ground
most gallantly, until the enemy's cavalry and
chasseurs i choral, in considerable bodies, ap.
peered on both Batiks, when they were obliged to
retreat.
The enemy's chaascars A cheval and cavalry ad.

winced in great numbers in every direction, and
pushed to cut of the legion posted between Aide.
Neuva and Banos; but, by the steady coodect of
officers and men, the enemy could only advance
gradually, and with a very severe loss, from the
commanding fire thrown on them.
The Merida battalion, however, having given
way on the right, a road was laid open, which cut
behind our position, and I was obliged to order a
retreat on the heights above Bands, when I was
again necessitated to detach a corps, in order to
scour the road of Monte Major, by which I saw
the enemy directing a column, and which road
turned altogether the Puerto de Bands, a league
in our rear.

At this time, Don Carlos Marquis de &traipse
came up with his battalion of light infantry, and,
in the most gallant manner, took post along the
heights commanding the road of Ban6s, which
enabled Inc to send some of the Merida battalion
on the mountain on our left, commanding the
main road, and which the enemy had tried to as.
unit.

The battalion of light infant►y, and the detach.
meat of the legion on its right, continued, not.
withstanding the enemy's fire of artillery and mus-
ketry, to maintain their ground; but, at sia
o'clock in the evening, three columns of the ene-
my mounted the height on our left, gained it, and
poured such a fire on the troops below, that longer
defence was impracticable, and the whole was
obliged to retire on the mountains on our left,
leaving open the main road, along which a consi.
durable column of cavalry immediately poured.
The battalion of Seville had been left at Bejar,
with orders to follow me neat day, but when I
.4 as obliged to return, and the action commenced,
I ordered it to Puerto Banda, to watch the Monte
Major road, and the heights in the rear of oar
lefti

_
When the enemy's cavalry came near, an officer
mid some dragoons called out to the Commanding
Otficer to surrender, but a volley killed him and
his party, and then the battalion proceeded to
mount the heights, in which movement it was at-
tacked and surrounded by a column of cavalry
and a column of infantry, but cut its way and
cleared itself, killing a groat many of the enemy,
especially of his cavalry.
The enemy is now passing to Salamanca with
great expedition ; I lament that I could no longer
arrest his prvgress; but, when the enormous supe-
riority of the enemy's force is considered, and
that we had no artillery, and that the Puerto de
Banos, on the Estremadurao aide, is not a pass of
such strength as on the side of Castile, especially
without guns, I hope that a resistance fur nine
hours) which must have cost the enemy a great
many am, will not be deemed inadequate to our
means.

I have to acknowledge the services rendered me
on this occasion by Colonel Grant, Major Rei-
man, Don Fermen Marquis, Adjutant-Major of
the Dragoons of Pavia, Captain Charles and Mr.
Bolinon ; and to express the greatest approbation
of two companies of the Merida battalions, ad.
sauced in front, and of the Commanding Officer
and soldiery of the battalions of Seville, and the
Portuguese brigade. I have already noticed the.
distinguished conduct of Don Carlos, and his bat.
talion merits the highest encomiums.
I have not been able to collect the returns of
our loss. From the nature of mountain warfare,
many men are missing, who cannot join ter a day
or two, but I believe the enemy will only have to
boast that he has achieved his passage, and his kit.
led and wounded will be a great diminution of his
victory.
hare the honour to be, Ste.
ROBERT WILSON.
Sir Arthur Wellesley, &c. &c. he.

Twitllo, Aug. 21, 1809.
General Cuesta moved his headquarters from
the neighbourhood of the bridge of Arcubispo on
the night of the 7th inst. to Peraloca de Garbin,
leaving an advanced guard, consisting of two divi.
slung of infantry, and the Duke D'Albuqncrque's
division of cavalry, fur the defence of the passage,
of the Tagus at this point.
The French cavalry _passed the Tagus at a ford
immediately above the bridge, at half past one in
the afternoon of the Bth, and surprised this ad.
vanced guard, which retired, leaving behind them
all their cannon, as well u thine in the batteries
constructed fur the defence of the bridge.
The General then g►oyed his head-quarters to
the Mesa d'lbor, on the evening of the Bth, hay.
ing his advanced guard at Bohoral. Ile resigned
the command of the army on the 12th (un account
of the bad state of his health), which has devolved
upon General Equia. The head.quartcrs of the
Spanish army are now at Deleytosa.
It appears that a detachment of Vanegai's army
had some success against the enemy, in an attack
made nitwit in the neighbourhood of Aranjues,
on the sth instant. General Venegas was then at
Ocana, and he had determined to retire towards
the Sierra Morena ; and, after the sth, he had
moved in that direction. lie returned, howe►er,
towards Toledo, with an intention of attacking the
enemy on the 12th; but, on the 11th, the enemy
attacked him, with Sebutiani's corps and two di.
visions of Victor's, in the neighbourhood of Al.
muracid. The action appears to hate lasted some
hours ; but the French having at last gained an
advantage on General Vanegas'a left, he, 'las obli.
ged to retire, and was about resume his position
in the Sierra Morena.
On the 9th., 10th, and 11th, large detachments
of the French troops, which had come from Pl 4.
sends, returned to that quarter; and on the 12th,
they attacked and defeated Sir Robert Wilma in
the Puerto de Bands, on their return to Sala-
manca.
It appears now, that the French force in this
part of Spain is distributed as follows: Marshti
Victor's corps it divided betweenTalavera and La
Mancha ; Sebastiani's is in La Mancha ; Marshal
blortier's at Oropesa, Arzobispo, and Navalmora;
Marshal Soak's at Plasencia; and Marshal N.lO.
at Salamanca. _ _ _ _ _

Distress for wantof provisions, and its effects,
haws at lut obliged me to more towards the fron-
tiers of Portugal, in order to refresh my troop-
In my former dispatches, I bate Informed your

Lordship of our distress for the N ant of provisions
and the mea 'a of transports. Those wants, which
were the first cause of the less of many advantages,
after ahe 22d of July, which were made known to
the Gaverntnent, and were actually knows to them
On the 20th of last month, still exist in an aggra-
vated degree ; and, under these circumstances,
determined to break up, on the 20th, from Jan&
cejo, where I had had my hcad-qnarters since the
11th, with the advanced posti on the Taps, near
the bridge of Almares, and to fall bark upon the
frontiers of Portugal, *here I hope I shall be sup.
plied with every thing I want.

Admiralty Office, Sept. 9, 1809.
Letters, of which the following are copies, er
abstracts, have been received at this Office, from
Vice-Admiral Lord Collingswood, Commander in
Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the Me.
diterrancan, addressed to the lionourable William
Wellesley Pole.
A letter has beeii received at this Office, by the
Hon. William Wellesley Pule, from Vice-Admiral
Lord Collingswood, dated ise board the Ville de
Paris, off Toulon, the 41st June last, transmit.
ting two letters from Captain Stewart, n't his Ma.
jesty's ship Seaherze; and one from Capt. Maze
well, of his Majesty's ship Alceste, detailing their
proceedings on the coast of Italy.
Captain Stewart reports the tit.t•tiction of the
enemy's forts on the mail islands of Giannti and
Pianoso; in which services great gallantry spiseen
to have been displayed by the Officers and men
who were employed, under the directions of Lieu.
tenants Bennett and Peerse, of the Seahorse and
Halcyon. About one hundred of the enemy were
made prisoners. One private marine, of the Sea.
horse, only, was killed, and another wounded.

Captain Mazwell states the destruction of two
gun.boats, at Terrarium, by the Aleeste and Cyane;
the bringing off from a depdt of timber on the
coast, as much wood a; the two ships could carry ;
and the demolition of three strong Martello tow-
ers, by a detachment of seamen and marines,
commanded by Captain Staines, of the Cyane,
who displayed equal judgment and resolution
on the occasion. Whilst the ships were talc+
ing off the timber, a serjeant, two corporals, and
twenty privates came oa board, deserters front
the French army.
Lord Collingwood, at the same time, cornmeal.
cates an account be had received free Captain
Duncan, of the Mercury, of the destruction of a
number of trabacculos, and other vessels, on the
beach of Rotti, near Manfredonia. by the boats
of that ship, under Lieutenant Gordon.

Ville de Paris, of Toulon, Jane 13,1!109.
Sta—lnclosed, I transmit you, for the idol..
matiun of the Lords Commissioners of thy Admi.
rally, a letter I have received from Captain Relit,
Commander of his Majesi Os sloop the Scout,
giving an account of the boats of that sloop bay.
ing carried an enemy's battery, near Cape Crol.
'elle, and captured and destroyed seven sail of
the enemy's coasters, which had taken abetter ntss
der it.

Captain Baste speaks in high terms of praise of
the conduct of Lieutenant Battersby, who come
manded the boats on this occasion, and of the Of.
fivers and men who accompanied
I have the. honoui to be, kr.
COLLINGWOOD.
Honourable W. SA•llesley Pole.

lib Majeisy's sloop sent, at nes.
.nuie 14, MC
M Lono—l beg leave to itilirm r Lord.
ship) that, this morning, having observed a convoy
of about fourteen sail, tinder the protectiao of
two gun-boats, coming round Cape Croisette,
steering to the eastward, I made all sail in chase ;
but, about one, P. M. it falling nearly calm, and
the convoy a good deal dispersed, I detached the
boats, under the command of Lieutenant Bat.
teraby, maimed by volunteers. Seven sail pushed
for a harbour, about three leagues to the east.
ward of the Cape, where the beats proceeded)
under a heavy and well.directed fire of grape and
musketry. After landing a party to keep the
enemy in check, who were numerous among the
rocks, stormed and took possession of the battery,
with two siz.pounders mounted in embrasures,
which, after spiking, brought out the whole of
the vessels, although they were fast with ropes
to their mast-heads and keels, and constantly as.
flayed with musketry from behind the rooks. I
am sorry to say this service has not been performed
without some loss un our side, having one killed
and five wounded, two badly ; but, from the
time, and other great advautages the enemy had,
I hope your Lordship will agree with me in think.
ing it comparatively small.

The conduct of the whole of the officers, sea.
men, and marines, employed on this occasion, de.
serves the highest commendation ; but I wish to
point out particularly, that of Lieutenant Bat.
tersby, the First Lieutenant, who led the party
up to storm the battery. From his conduct on
this occ.asion, and a great *ember of others that
he has performed in the Streights of Gibraltar, I
beg leave to r :commend him to your Lordship.
The conduct of Mr. Farrant, Secon,: Lieutenant,
Mr; Batten, master, and Mr. Thompson, master's.
mate, deserves my warmest thanks, for their de.
termined bravery in going up the harbnar with the
boa'', under a heavy fire of grape and musketry
from b,,th sides, who have at all times handsomely
vol 'steered their services on similar occasions.

The prises are laden with wool, grain, !eviler,
four, and cheese; two of them 1 have been
obliged to destroy, after taking out their carioca,
the others I have sent to Mallon. I beg Uwe to
inclose& list of killed and wounded.
I save the honour to be, &c.
(Sired) WM. RA ITT.
The Right Hon. Lord Colin etc. Sm. !kr.

.4 list of Oipars sod mesa ki ed and monad in .nerd of h
Ifoloolii stoop &out, Williams Rain, km. Coserasoosisr.
spiting out eictoot convoy otf ogercArrog .suds, from.
rod* to Ossuary near Copt Crnisette, toast 4 Preece, ifo.
stilersoneas, upon Ms I.llh of Janet IttJJ.
Kiiled -.• Marshlan.l, Madman.
ooralerl—J oho W ' Ningbo anti John Gage, hods= I
Alexaodo. moony. landours; Robert Eras. +oioidecr hi
dab, t Jerc.usith Barlocr, corporal of marines.
Total-1. killed, b worsted.
[Tani over.