The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-21

of Brig. Gen. Crawsord's brigade, while The
two other regiments Of this brigade. (the
50th and s1sC and half the nine FOUNDER
brigade were kept AS a reserve in the rear.
Major Gen. Hill and Brig. Gen. Nightingale
advanced upon the enemy's position, and, at
the same moment, Brig Gen. Fane's riflemen
were in the hills on his right the Portu-
gocsc infantry in village upon his left; &
Major Gen. Ferguscn's column vas descend
ing from the heights into the plains From
this situation the enemy retired by the passes
IN the mountains with the utmost regula-
rity and the greatest celebrity; and notwith-
standing this rapid advance of the British
infantry, the want of a sufficient body of ca
VARY was cause of his suffering so little loss
lii the plain.
1t was then necessary to make DISPOSE
ton to attack the formidable position which
he had taken up. Brig. Gen. Fane's rifle
men. were already in the mountains OH his
right. and no time was lost in attacking the
different passes, as we'll to support he rifle
men as to defeat the enemy completely
The Portuguese infantry were ordered to
move up pass OH the right of the whole !:
tho light companies of Maj. Gen HIPS bri-
gade aud the Sth regiment, moved up a pass
next on the right; and the 95th regiment
supported by the 9Th, under Brig. General
Nightingale, a third pass and the 18th and
SD regiments passes or the left. These pass
es were all difficult OF access, and some of
them were we'll defended by the enemy. par-
ticularly that which vas attacked with the
greatest impetuosity, and reached the enc
| my before those WHOSE attacks were to be
made on their tanks the defence of the
enemy was desperate and it was i'm the at
tack principally that I've sustained the loss
which we have to lament particularly of
that gallant officer the Hon. Lit. Col. TATE.
who distinguished himself on this occasion.
The enemy was, however, driven from all
the positions he had taken in the passes of
the mountains, and our troops were advanc-
ed in the plains on their tops. For cohsi-
derable length of TING, the 29th and 9th re-
giments alone were advanced to this point.
with Brig. Gen. Fane's rifemen at a distance
OH the left, and they were afterwards sup
ported by the 5thregiment, and by the LIGHT
companies of Major Gen. HIPS brigade,
which had come up on their right and by
the other troops ordered to ascend the
mountains, who came up by degrees. The
enemy here made three most gallant attacks
upon the 2eth ard 9th regiments, supported
as have above Stated, with a view to cover
the retreat of his defeated army in all of
which he was, however repulsed but he
succeeded in effetting his retreat in good Or
der, owing principally to my want of caval-
ny, and secondly, 10 the difficulty of bring
ing up the passes OF the mountains with cele-
rlty, sufficient number of troops and of can
non, to support these which had first ascend
ed. The loss of the enemy has, however,
been very great; aud he left three pieces of
cannon in our hands
Il cannot sufficiently applaud the conduct
OF the troops throughout the action The
enemy's positions w.re formidable. and he
took them up withhis usual ability and ce
lerity, and defended them most gallantly.-
But must observe that although we had
such superiority Of numbers employed in
the operations Of this day, the troops actu-
ally engaged in the heat of the action were.
from unfavorable circumstances, only the
5th. 9Th, 28th, therifemen of the oath and
Goth, and the flank companies of Major gen.
Hills brigade; being a number by no means
equal to that of the enemy; their conduct
therefore, deserves the highest commenda-
ton.
1 cannot avoid to take this opportunity of
expressing my acknowled dement's for the aid
ana support received from all the generals
and other officers of this army / am parti
cularly indebted to major general Spencer
TOR the advice and assistance received from
him; to major general Furguson, for the
manner in which he led the left column
and to major general Hill and brigadier gems.
Nightingale and Fame, fer the manner in
which they conducted the different attacks
which they led. derived most material
assistance also from lieut. Col Tucker and
lieut.. col. Bathurst, in the Offices of deputy
adjutant and deputy quarte,niaster generals
and from the officers of the staff emploved
under them. i must also mention that had
every reason to be satisfied With the artillery
under lieut.. col. Robe. Inclosed herewith
is an account of the killed, wounded and
missing.
/ have the honor to be &c.
(Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. =
Total officers, non commissioned officers.
rank and file and horses, killed. wounded
and missing, 432.
Here follows letter from gen. %yelles-
ley, dated Lavrinha, August IS, stating the
arrival of the brIgades under gems. Ackland
and Anstruther 4; and stating his belief that
Junot was assembling his Whole force at
Torres Vedras: and a letter from Sir Harry
Burrard, dated head quarters, Maceira AUG.
II, which serves as an envelope of the fol-
lowing letter from gen. Wellesley. which is
addressed to sir Harry Burrard 4
SIR,
have the Homer TO report to YOU. that the
enemy attacked us in our position, at Vimicra.
this morning. The village of Vimicra stands in
valley, through which runs the river Macaira
at Hid !.arIv af,1L ,,s IL