The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-31

Letter from the Steward Of the Duke OF
Medina Cell, TO His ErceHency, dated
the Sd December. from the tozon Of Ne
Dina Cell:
MYLoRD,
Our army of Navarro and Rioxa, un-
der the command of General Castanos, has
been routed; most of the runaways have ia
ken Sarragossa ON their way to Madrid, and
the others have passed through this town.
This fight is the result of two attacks made
by the enemy; the one at Cascante and the
other at Alcuneza. The whole country is
In the greatest CONSERVATION, as it is well
known that the General is repairing to Ma
drid by this road.
he retreat is making in the greatest dis
order; only soldiers wounded, without shoes,
and starving with hunger, are tobe seen, and
they all complain of the want of talents Of
the General. Ihave to remark to you, that
have seen no officer with the troops which
hayepassed this way. The town. in order
to avoid being plandered, has determined
upon making new efforts, in order to furnish
f.. to these soldiers the bread of which they
arcin want; that they may, the more spec.
Oily, repair to Siguehza. which is to be the
rallying Doint.
AS am well acquainted with the genera
sity ct your excellenCy,I have, according to
your e:ecellcncy's intention, caused half a
peceta to begiveD to each soldier, and take
the first opportunity Of informing you there
af.
+. S. have this moment been assured
that general Castanos has been taken in the
place of the Bishop of Siguenza, and that he
is going to be carried to Madrid.
SIGUENzA, 4th Dec. 1908.
The army of the centre is arrived here
with ITS General, and exhausted with ia
tigue and want. All the officers were on
foot, having lost their equipages, and they
were starving with hunger the rear is pur
sued BY the enemy, who, however, we know
is withdrawing to Calataydd.
r. 3 This army set of for Quadalava on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday The run
Always whohad lost their way are daily ar
irving here; several thousands Of them are
already reckoned. The disorder is at its
height, and otr misfortunes are SO great, a.
to be with difficulty conceived.
Letter Jroman o6fccrof Siguenza, dated
I'd Dec.
My DEAR UNCLE,
The situation of our unfortunate ar
nay, is melancholy beyond description this
IS the day on which it was to be sacrificed
Castanos, SO favored by the country, was. il
is SAID, the author Of this dreadful disaster
On the Goth ult. all the different divisions
received ordcrs'to meets at one point, which
they did. The first division which occupied
Caiaborra, set offat IL o'clock at night-the
enemy entered 1t few minutes afterwards
ana daIi who resisted They then pur-
sued our rear, and ifthe 18th division had not
arrived III time, the disorder would have
Oeeh stu greater our army is, nevertheless,
pursued u. ,ne enemy: i. fed in the great
est disorder as far as Cascante, near Tudc-
Ia, where the disorder augmented; the
french attacked that city, aud when we
were Just about affording it succours with so
much courage. t''-- gave us battle, threat
ening to cut eff ouf left wing and they car
ned this project into execution
Alter hire hours fighting, they took eight
Thousand prisoners of our army Of Valencia ;
iOnr Thousand men were killed, aGong whom
is general de Pedro. On that same night
outright wing was attacked bv 600 cava,rv.
oy which we should. no doubt, have been cut
on, IL The commandment Of Campo Mayor,
with his battalion and two from Africa had
not come up. These two corps kent H., 4
cruel lire Of three lours, and was myself
ordered upon that duty.
In that battle we had 5000 killed: all the
infantry has been Dispersed. The African
colonel retreated with sixteen grenadiers
and they were followed by the few who re-
manned. Our baggage Wagons and a grea,
ueai OF property remain in the hands of the
enemy. -
AT Alacua, an action took place the day
before yesterday with tie van, under the
command OF Venegas. it was then that the
battalion OF Campo Mayer, the military or
ders and the regiment OF Burgos were CON.
pletely routed; of these three corps scarce
y 500 men out OF ,ooosof which they Cen.