Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-10-10

DaSb~S.'
ALEX. M. FRASER,
Lieut.. General, commanding his
B. MS troops betoreRammekins.
WOUNDER, Capt. Can't.
(True Copy !. CAKt u,Y,
Garrison taken--2 captains, I lieutenant,
A. setieants, corpcrals, ammers,',l11
privates-Total l27.
august IS.
The battle of Talavera has afforded fresh
instance that whatever be the superiority OF
the French tactics and impetuosity over the
continental armies Of Europe, there is one
nation to which even the veterans OF France
must, howcv- painful to their vanity, con-
cede the palm of superiority Britain
is that nation, it were almost superfluous to
add. The numerous population over which
NAPOLEON holds despotic sway, and whose
efficient strength he draws forth by the iron
measure CONSUMPTION, with as little cere-
mony, or difficulty, as ne would select the
oaks of the forest for his navy--has enabled
the French armies to attack with force SO
numerically powerful, as in most cases to
insure success. OF the numbers actually
engaged ON both sides at this memorable
battle we have not any accurate account, but
from all that can be collected, the French
army, headed by king Joseph, the duke OF
Bellund (marshal Victor) marshal Jourdan.
and gen. Sebastian, exceeded considerably
10000 men--long- tried soldiers, who had
served in the campaigns OF Germany and
Poland. The British army, against which
the efforts of the French were exclusively
directed, did not greatly exceed twenty
thousand the Spaniards under Cuessa we've
present and some few battallons were en-
gagged, but by far the mos, considerable Por-
ton were SO placed as not to have fired
shot; the service however which they rem
dered was, perha. 5, NOT less important IMAM
if they had been actively engaged, tor they
protected the right flank of the British ar
nv, which but for the position maintained
by the Spaniards, had inevitably been turn.
ed by the French; whose superiority OF
numbers would unquestionably enable them
10 perform their naaneuvre.
ralavera de la Regina, where the battle
was fought, is in new CASTLE, IN the pro-
vince of Toledo and stands on the north
side Of the Tagus, liitle below the junction
Of tho liver 1t will be remembered, that
the last dispatch OF sir Wellesley (Which
appeared in the Gazette of Friday was
dated the Gath July. In that he states, that
the enemy had retired at about one in the
morning to Santa Olalla, and thence towards
Tirijos, conclude to form junction with
the corps under gen. Sebastian.
In that conclusion he was correct and the
anemy between the Gath and 26th had Ct
tec,ed junction of all his forces in that
part of Spain. The advanced guard OF
gen. Cursta had followed the enemy, was
attacked by the enemy's forces, WAS direct
ed to fall back, and he -" consented" to take
up position of conjunction with the Brl-
fish army near to Talavera, there to wait
the attack which it was obvious the enemy
meditated. Sir Robert Wilson was station
ed with his corps at Escoana, which is con. |
sideraby higher up the Aiberche, in di-
rect line between Talavera and Madrid, |
and consequently had no share in the battle. |
The corps of Vencgas was also at dis.
lance. At two o'clock in the morning OF
the a7th the French began the attack, and
the British advanced corps retreated, IN
good order upon the main body, but with
some loss" 1t was not until the dusk OF
the evening that the principal attack was
made when the enemy's cavalry attempted
to penetrate the Spanish infantry On the |
right, in which he was repulsed. During !
the night the enemy gained possession OF
height, from which he was driven by ma"
jor gen. Hill. The attack was repeated in
the night, and the enemy again repulssd,
and repeated in tho morning, when he'was
Ill, L.. %.