Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-29

blgn.s .Js,odos and passes beneath hill in
fl. where the hermitage of Piceyo is
sa'aasJ The front and avenues of Zara-
s'sa'', r.. on a smooth country covered with
SBo' 81; an.! Give gardens, without any in
ore'.a ZION but that Of a few ridges which
tsHpr -, 70 A road IF Alooton, about league
f S.'as from Btlchite. The heights which
ds'A aforementioned road OF Fuendeto-
hson from Belchite at the hermitage
aq 5s,ota Barbara, III whose vicinity are ma
y .,,w lois, and two great Buildings for
IL These buildings and hermitage were
t ,Sriabt ASnk OF our position, In conse-
~ .a.p Of which they were made loop hpled.
'front.' and left We're thc cha IN Of ridg-
wib some spaces, ana finally at the back
~ canal, which terminates at the orch
i- k-,Ween the heights of Calvario and
lilo. Tie troops Which were detached
ne bermitage an! straw lofts, could not
I. aracked BY the cayairy, neither could
S.renue without being exposed to terri
\ cross firms those OF The l7it could al
s,,, retire TO tie hermitage of Santa Bar
b.r, Cons. q2en.ly the hermitage of Pi-
s.r, was occupied, aud the tops of Cacva-
- By two regiments, ani the artillery park
~, pIarsd bshin:I. The olive gardens were
LEegjse gsrri5oned. The cavalry were in
Ia avenues of he town and road OF lara
oossa 10 over them, and thSy were support
Fl by anothgr regiment of infantry. The
remainder os thetroops occupied the heights
froo Santa Barbara towards the road Of
Faeadriodos, Bat connected with the ground
ollie POSITION, so that Ill some parts three
las were iol med, moreover three columns
frtas attack were ready, that, if in Case
taesnsmy pushed hard on the left wing, we
might face them aud act ofcnsively. f
ven It they had routed thcn, we could have
r:;irel to tle csntte. and right aank, having
then n9taag 10 itar but from the front, and
togenicr The continuation Of IA. attack IN
possible, Elal!y tbs arrtiiery was SO paced
IS 10 protect tbs a.lack OF said columns, and
could, IN case OF necessity, retire to the
samepoiet where the troops were to act
These were already posted and harangued
by NE. They promised faithfully to COM
ply with their duty. The enemy, after hav
Ing shewefs themselves fromthe tops Of the
tom Of Abortion, Sled of upon the left, a
column advancing with two pieces of ariilie-
~. Their artillery fised hse,or SIX shot, at
the same time 2 or 5 grenades burst, which
wopndtd ) or Eaen. Our attllteiy hsgan
1Gtsck taeirs, or rath>r to answerAthcr
hrs, when all OF Sudden, regiment began
nay IN the greatest disorder without firing
agun. s. grenade from she enemy is said
to nave fallen among them. Another, wiki
ont hiring did the same, and ano.hor, and
flasy the position was abandoned, some
corps flying, not being enabled to sustain
the impecaesity with uhloh they russefl up
on each other and prevented their firing
lhus, we the generals and officers remained
alone 10 In middle OF che field, without be-
ing snabied To rally single corps, and |
@d the gricft to see an army dispe.sc aban-
doaias us effects, throwing away their
arms aud dress, from bat a single body Of
A,ae enemy, AMI two pieces Of artillery
"ecouid nor hais until We arrived at some
Son6 place, not being enabled to muster
more than go msn 20 face the enemy. 1t
swell known, that taey we're no. in want
Of ammunition and provisions, ana that Oh
my Side | had omitted nothing to ensure
"e!a victory; at least to enablc them 20
maintain the honor of oar arms III the OPT
A'oa q the world. II his majesty accedes
e what requested of MIN, In my repre-
sssnIatlon of the 18Th, hope 20 prove more
'N.y what aairru. These dispersions are
unfortunately too comnon in our arms. |
:. 10 nosthlnS this proper place to point out
sie cause; but i canaot heip saying that
isW individuals who set bad example, caa
- much to discourage al army without the
sSierafs having an opportunity OF know.
us II, TO whose ears the conversation OF
weak, artful men is rarely communicated.
s \ The love to my country did not exceed e.
,t~f> TX