Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-10-06

Il : - I "
enemy's plan.
A. the same time he directed an attack up
non brig. gen. Alexander Campbells po-
s;,;on Ia the centre of the combined armies,
and on the rig hit of the British.
This attack was most successfully repuls-
ed by brig. gen, Campbell, supported by
the king regiment of Spanish cavalry, and
two batta!ions of Spanish infantry and
Brig. gen. Campbell took the enemys can.
non.
The brigadier general mentions particu-
larly the conduct of the 9th, the, I'd batta.
lion 9TH. and of the ed battalion SD reg'ts.
and was highly satisfied with the manner
in which this parsof theposis.on was defend
ed. Sa.a
An attack was also made at the same
time upon 1t. gen. Shcrbrooke's division,
which was OH the left and centre Of the first
line of the British army.
This attack was most CALAMITY repulsed
by a charge with bay one,s, OF the whole d.
vision bat the brigade. Of Guards, whick
were on the right, having advanced too far,
they were exposed on their left flank to the
fire of the enemy's battery, and o! their re-
firing columns and the division was oblig-
ed to retire towards the original position,
under cove. of the Cd line of gen. Cotton's
brigade of cavalry, which had moved from
the centre, and of the 1st battalion 48th re-
giment.
had moved this regiment from its orr.
ginal position on the heights, as soon as I
observed the advance of the guards, and it
was formed in the plain, advanced upon the
enemy, and covered the formation OF lieut..
gen, Sherbrooke's division.
Shortly after the repulse OF this general
attack, in which apparently all the enemy's
troops were employed, he commenced his
retreat across the Alberche, which was
conducted in the most regular order, and
was effected during the night, leaving in
our hands twenty pieces of cannon, ammu-
milton, ,umbrils, and some prisoners.
Your lcrdship will observe by the enclos-
ed return the great loss which We have-sus-
tanned of valuable officers and soldiers in
this long and hard fought action, against
more than double cur numbers. Loss Of
the enemy has been much greater. | am
informed that entire brisades of infantry
have been destroyed indeed the battalions
that rereated were much reduced in num-
bers. by ali accounts their loss is 10000
men. Generals Lapisse and Morlot are
killed Generals Sebastian and BoIlet are
wounded.
/ have particularly to lament the loss of
Major General Mackenzie, who had dis
tinsuished himself on the 9th; and Of Bri-
gadier General Langwerth, Of the kings
German Legion; and Of Brigade MAJOR
Beckett Of the guards.
Your lordship viii observe, that the at
tacks of the enemy were principally, ifnot
entirely, directed against the British troops.
The Spanish commander in chief, his OIL
GERS and troops, manifested every disposi-
ton to render us assistance. and those of
them which were engaged did their duty
but the ground which they occupied was SO
important, and its front at the same time SO
difficult, that did not think it proper to
urge them to make any movement on the
left Of the enemy while he was engaged with
us. q
/ have reason to be salts fed with the con-
duct Of all the officers and troops. am
much indebted to Lieut.. Gen. Sherbrooke
for the assistance received from him, and
the manner in which be led on his division
to the charge with bayonets.
TO Lieut.. General Payne and the caval.
ny, particularly Gen. Anson's brigade, to
Major Generals Hi and Tilson, Brigadier
Gems. Alexander Campbell, Richard Stew
art and Cameron, and to the divisions and
brigades OF infantry under their commands
respectively, particularly the Goth regiment,
commanded by Col. White, the 1st batta-
lion 18th, commanded by Col. Donnellan, !
when that officer was wounded |