The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-06
ON THE GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARILY

DOWNING STREET, August IS
Dispatches of which the following are copies
and extracts, were this day received at
the office of Lord Visconnt Castlereagh,
one OF his Majesty's principal secretaries
OF state, from lieut. general the right hon.
Sir Arthur Wellesley K, b. dated Tala-
vera, July 30.
Ialapera dc Ia Regina, July 20.
My LORD,
General Cuesta followed the enemv's
march with his army from the Alberche on
the morning of the Gath, as far as Santa o.
laila, and pushed forward his advanced guard
as far as Torrijos.
For the reasons stated to your lordshp in
my dispatch Of the oath, moved only two
divisions OF infantry and brigade OF cavaI-
ry across the Alberche 10 Casalegoes, under
the command OF Lieut.. general Sherbrooke,
with view to keep up the communication
between general Cuesta and ne, and with
sir X. Wilson's corps ut Escalona.
1t appears that General Venceas had not
carried into execution that part of the plan
OF operations which related to his CORPS, and
that he was still at Daniel, in la Manch. :;
and the enemy IN the course of the 24th,
18th and Goth, collected all his forces in this
part OF Spain between Torrijos and Toe,lo,
leaving but small corps of 1000 men in tn at
place.
His united army thus consisted of the corp,
OF marshal Victor, Of that of general Sebas
tam, and OF or 5000 men, the guards OF
Joseph BoDaparte, and the garrison of Ma.
drId, and it was commanded by Joseph Bona
parte, aided by Marshals Jourdan and Vic
tor. and gen. Sebastani
On the 26th, General Cucsta's advanced
guard was attacked near TorriiCs and oblig-
ed TO fall back, and the general retired with
his army, on that day to the left bank of the
Alberchc general Sheerbrooke continued at
CasaieSoes, and the enemy at Santa Olella.
1t was then obvious that the enemy intend
ed to try the result of a general battle, for
which the best position appeared to be in
the neighborhood OF Taiavera and general
Cuesta having consented to take up This po
sition on the morning ofthe eth, ] ordered
general Shecrbrooke to retire with his CORPS
to its station in the line, leaving Gen. Mac
kenzie with division of infantry and bri.
Gade OF cavalry, as an advanced pos: in the
wood, on the right OF Alberche, which cover
ed our lett flank.
The position token up by the troops at
alavera extended more than two miles !;
the ground was then open upon the lett where
the British army was stationed, and it was
commanded by height, On which was, in
a.. cSchelion and in second line, a division Of in.
lantry, under the orders of Major general
Hill.
There was valley between this height
and range Of mountains still further upon
the lett, which valley was not at first oCcu-
pee, as 1t was commanded by the height
nefore mentioned; and the range Of noun.
ta'ns appeared too distant to have any inGu.
ence upon the expected action.
The right, Consisting OF Spanish troops,
extended Immediately ia front of the town
.of laiaVcra down the Tagu!. This part of
the sfoAad was covered by olive trees, and
much intersected by banks and ditches.--
Inc high road leading from the bridge over
the ALDER che, was defended by heavy bat
terry ~ front of church .,which-was occupied
by spanish infantry. Al tue avenues to the
town were defended in similar fnanuer !:
the town was occupied, and the remainder
OF Tie Spanish infantry was formed in two
hsss, boslad eIesanks OIL this roads WHEN led