The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-30
Head Quarters at Szrag.ssa. ,

18th Iune 1908

l y a a
Head Quarters az Szragessa,
18th June. 1908.
On the 25th another battle was fought be-
tween the same Generals, about two leagues
| from Sargossa The official accounts Of this
action state, that the French were beaten.
with the loss of 5000 men.
Battle 6etsveen the !Shdniards dnd French
near VaAadoHd.
L he Intelligence we have to communicate.
| to day is OF different complexion from thac
which we have for some time had the han
piness OF laying before our readers. The
Spanish patriots have sustained a check in
| Leon-Government last night received dis
patches from Sir Thomas DYER, dated ON
the 10th, from Benevento. They state that
battle was fought OH the 18th between the
Spaniards under General Cuesta, and the,
french under Gen. Lessoles. We stated
on Saturday that General Cuesta was AZ
VIilepauda, and that it was his intention te,
march against Valladoid, with view Of
cutting OH the communication between the.
enemy IN the north of Spain, and the troops
at Madrid The French were aware of his
intention, and OF the Importance of keeping
Nalladolid, if possible They marched TO
meet the patriots--thc battle took place ar
Rio Seco, near Valladolitl--The force of he
Patriots was--lnfantry 14,0 OO-Cavally 500
besides body OF Peasants, ard twentv-six
pieces or cannon-ihe French had in infan-
try ,o00-Cavalry 1000, and a very great
quantity OF cannon-The ardour and imDe-
tuosity of the Few levies in the Patriot Ar
my were not to be restrained and conse-
quentiy they fell upon the French, and il fee
hrst onset drove the enemy back, Capturing
Jour pieces OF Cannon, which they spiked.
but the Dattie oeIns fought on an extensive
ufr
their hanks, and their cavalry was much in.
terior to the enemv's-rhe after. in conse-.
quence, were able to take them in flank md
the patriots who had the advantage in the
outset, were not able to prescrye It. They
were, after hours and hairs fght fronn
eight till half past twelve, compelled Tn re-
treat. But this they effected in good o,.,ler
to Bencyento under cover of SPANISH 40 s,;
ment OF Carabineers, leavine ,chind,fhem
Is pieces otcannon. But the French, s,,pe-
rior as they were in cavalry, suffered GO
much Ill the battle, that they were unable to
pursue them. and they did not even enter.
Rio Seco till four hours afterthe battla T. me-
reported that tie French General I,as,I,es
was killed, as his horse was said IN nav,
been found without rider. General. Cues
ia renamed at oencvento, when Sir Thomas
oyer sent on MS dispatches OH the 10Th. and
as reinIorcements were pouring i'm from ALI
parts, 1T was hoped he would soon be ablc
, TO attack the enemy with every prospect OF
success.
1t is undoubtedly of the greatest inDort-
lance tnat the French should if possible be.
CUT OF 1rom Madrid, but Certainly the plains
Oh Leon ana CASTLE will afford great adj
vantage to the enemy who have a superi,r
ity of cavalry and artillery, and who frht a.
Salnst troops not yet completely disciDlined
tits with regret that we communicate the
| above intelligence; but it was not to be ex
pected that victory would attend the pat,it
OTIS In every encounter--That in rhe outset
they should have made head at all aeaips,
the French, is to- be wondered AZ. Pcsides
there is nothing in this defeat dseracef,l ~
them-far from it. There was no great inc
quality ofnumbers, & the enemy by being so
superior in cavalry, fought with III anifest adj
vantage. The patriots behaved with great
courage-they were not thrown into confu-
SION They retreatcdin good order, and the
French did not dare to pursue them. TIE
enemy we have no doubt will see no reason to
be proud OF their success--The affair of Rio
Seco affords them aspecimen of the kind OF
resistance they have to expect in every parc
OF Spain. The defeat of General Cuesta
therefore, does not ~ any means weaken our
bcliefthat lbe French will not be able to con
quer Spain.
The Courier of the 26th after detail
the accounts ofthe battle Of the LIST and I'd Of
July, before the gates of Saragossa, remarks
as follows 1t was to be expecte d that Ro-
naparte would make every effort to fix him
self in Arragon and Leon, and to secure the
cities Of Na!ladolid & Sarragossa Their i'm
portance isobVious to every one who looks ae
the inap--could the enemy retain Vallado-
I'D, they would be able to insulase GalIicia
ard Asturias from the rest of the Patriotic
I provinces, and to command the course Of the
Douro---could they get possession OF Sara
| gosSa, they would commandtbe course ofthe.
Ebro; whilst retaining Old CASTLE and Ma
| varre, they would have passage open from
the Pyreneah tronticrto the kcart Of the mo-
! narchy. Arragon and Leon therefore NAV
be expected To be the scene Of mani san
! culinary struggles But the Patriots will have
one great advantage over the enemy, in the
diIhculty toWhich the latterwlll be put to pro-
cure provisions. The provinces Of Ar,arou
md Leon are NOT capable of supporting
large arme. Supplies must be drawn fr,,nI
other partS-:hey cannot be conveyed fyogs