The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-11

taken. The peaceful inhabitants, who, en-
courased by the advantages gained by the
French, hoisted the white flag, or came with
a flag OF truce to make offers Of submission,
we're murdered by the Insurgents, at the head
OF whom Monks were seen transformed into
Colnnels and Captains A great number OF
these wretches Nave persisted, and the ill
destroyed by bombs and CONGREGATIONS.
In the mean while, the whole regular arr
my of Andalusia and Gallicia took an active
part IN the rebellion; and the troops vt the
line. who were stationed in Madrid, St. Sc
bastian, Barcelona, and other places, joined
the insurgents. The French, who arrived
In Spain as friends, acting in concert with
the ministers, councils and principal citizens,
foiebore to disarm the Spanish troops, and
refrained for a considerable length of time
from all ostilities.-Experience now shows
that this generosity of conduct has been ILL
required
Intelligence had been received, that
corps OF 5000 men, with 40 pieces of can
non, is assembled at Bcnevento, attended by
English Commissioners and Officers All the
Spanish prisoners who were sent back to
Spain BY the British government, and who
are distinguished from the rest by the REQ
regimentals which they received in London,
form part fthat corps. This corps showed
an intention to march to Bugos, but Mar
shall Bessiercs marched 10 meet them with
the divisions of infantry OF Generals Monitor
and Merle, and with The division of cavalry
OF General I.asaile, amounting in the whole
to - COO men.
On the 18th, at break of day, he came in
sight OF the enemy, who occupied a large ex.
tent OF ground Oh the heights 81 Medina del
Rio Scco. AS soon as the enemy's position
inaI tho Mnrcl, oil H. Il =
attack them on the left, and General OAR
magnar at the head of his brigade, was the
hrst who engaged tie enemy. At the same
time General Monitor rendered himseIfmas-
ter of the town Of Medina de! Rio Seco, with
liked bayoaets, and Generals Lavelle, Duros
and Sabatkier, led on Their brigades under
acclamations of g Long live the Emperor"
All the positions were carried, and the enc
my put to flight with fixed bayou cts the ill.,
snrgents lost all their artillery, consisting of
forty pieces OF Cannon, and the whole Spa
nlsh army was thrown into the utmost con-
FUSION Six thousand were made prisoners,
and more than twelve thousand were left on
the field of battle. All their baggage and
military stores fell into our hands, and a num-
Der of officers were found among the slain.
The 10th and 22d Regiments of the chas-
seurs, and in general all the Troops covered
themselves with glory.
The enemy fed in the utmost disorder to
Benevento, where they only remained few
moments, & rctreated to Labcnara, Attorpa
and Lcon.-They left Eehintlin Villa Pardo,
5000 pounds ofgun- pow Ger and O0o, GOO car
tridges.-T'he English Colonel who attended
the army Of the Insurgents in the quality Of
commissioner, repaired 70 Lugo before the
commencement of tie action.
Marshal Bcssieres pursued the enenlv and
vnI nr,th he q 4,
found 900 mJskets, 26, 600 pounds or gun
powder and 10000 cartridges, which the
enemy left behind him in the hurry of his
flight He received letter of submission
from the inhabitants of Zamora, aud on the
following day, the Goth, he entered that town.
whence ne proceeded to iMajorca, and re-
ceived intelligence, thaF General Cuesta had
passed through that place 1T the head Of
500 horse, and ordered the fugitive army To
rally.
On his arrival in Majorca, deputStion
from Leon was presented to him General
Cuesta had Quilted the town, leaving behind
10000 mr.skets, number of pistols and sa-
bres, military stores, and FIVE pieces of ord
nance. Marshal Bessieres entered Leon on
the Goth. The Bishop came two miles TO
meethim. and the council rallied the army
before the gates of the town, assuring the
Marshal OF the submission of the inhabitants
and imploring the mercy and protection of
the conqneror.
BY this important victory the provinces of
Leon. Valencia, Valladoiid, Zamora and Sa-
lamanca, were reduced to submission and
and the communication with Por-
tugal was secured.
All these transactions, added to the KINGS
arrival in Madrid, promised the most brill
ant and fortunate return of the affairs of
spain, when General Dupont, after a series
OF events, which we cannot relate in this
place, since they are to become the subject
of future inquiries and researches. commit
ted the unaccountable fault to suffer his com.
with Madrid, nay, which is still
worse, with two parts of his corps, to be cut
off, and to give battle on the 10Th July. with
only part of his force. in an unfavorable
position, after forced march, and without
his troops moment of repose.
There are but few instances of n conduct
SO absolutely contrary to the first principles
OF the art of war. This General who did
not know how to command his army. djsDIav
Ell afterwards, in the course of nego ciation
which was set on foot, as little talent and ex
perlence as negociator. Like Sabinas II
berius, he was LED 10 ruin by his own perver-
sity and imbecility of mind, and like him. snf-
tered himself to be deceived by another A =,
blorst d; but more fortunate than ours Ihn
Roman soldiers fell with arms in their hands
his unexpected event, which acquired adj
INN 20 &c., Al.