Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-09

The 2 corps d'armee which invested that CT
~ are now d'spensable. Sarragossa was the
real focus of the insurrnction in Spain. 1t
was in that city that the party who wish.
ed to call Prince of the House of Austria
10 reign on the Tagus had assembled.
I lhe men OF that party had inherited this
opinion from their ancestors, who were OF
that sentiment at the time of the success
sion war, and which has just been crushed
for ever.
The battle of Tudela had been won on
the Esd November, and on the 9th the
French army was encamped within short
distance from Sarragossa. The poI,ulace
| OF the city were armed The inhabitants
OF the neighbouring country had ioines
these, and Sarragossa containe d50, coo men
! formed into regiments of 1000, composed
OF 10 companies of 100 men. All the grade
OF generals commissioned and non commits
stoned officers, were filled by monks. A
body OF 10000 men who had escaped from
the battle of Tudela had retired to that
city, the subsistence Of which was secured
by Immense magazines, and defended by
zoo pieces OF cannon. The image of Our
Lady of the Pillar was daily operating
miracles according to the directions of the
monks who animated the courage of that
numerous population or supported their con-
hdence. In the field, these $4,000 men
would not have stood against three regi-
ments but in the city, & spnrred on by all
the leaders, how could they avoid the evils
which ignorance and fanaticisn attached
to them! Every thing has been under. :
taken that 1t was possible to do, to bring
them back to reason. Immediately aft err
the battle Of Tudela it was thought that
me OPINION entertained at Sarragossa, that
Madrid would make bold stand, and that
| al l.
tren-adura, Leon, and Catalonia would e.
ventually beat the French, would be used
by the leaders of the insurgents to keep
| alive the fanaticism of the inhabitants. Ii
was therefore resolved not tn invest the eli.
", q toieave open its communications with
all Spain, in order that they might learn
the discontinue of the Spanish armies.
and the accounts of the French army in
Madrid. But this news reached only the
| ring-leaders, who took care that the in
habitants should not know it. Truth not
only was concealed from them, but they
were encouraged by lies. To day, the
| yesterday, Romano had entered France.
In fine, the British army were rapidly .d :.
vancIng, and the French eagles must fly be-
fore the terrible Leopard
All TINS time sacrificed to political views
and to the hopes of being able to calm
those heads heated by faDalicisrn and err
ror, was not lost for the French army. The
general OF engieers, Lacoste, aid de.camD
to the Empe ror, and an officer of the most
distinguished abilities. gathered at A,ayon
all the tools, equipages of mines, and ma
ter'ais necessary for the subterraneous
war which II NJ had ordered.
Inc generalo OF division Dedon, COM.
mandlng the artillery assembled a great
quantity of mortars bombs, howi,zers' and
heavey ordnance. All which were drawn
from Pampelona, seven days march from
Sarraeossa. Meanwhile it was perceived
'nat the enemy were awaiting themselves
OF TINS stagnation to fortify the Mopte-Tor.
zero ana other important positions. On
the 2lst December the divisions of Suchet
drove them from the heights of St Lambert
and two other works out of the reach ri
the city. The division of General Gazan
overthrow the enemy from the heights of
ot Eregorie, and the 21st of light infantry.
aud Tooth regiment of the line, carried
'ne reoouDts IN the suburbs, which defend
Gu the roads OF Sueva and Barcelona. He
also ordered the storming of n large hui n
Ing near Gall:ego where 500 Swiss had en
trenched themselves. On the same dav
the Duke OF Cornegliano also carried
the works and positions of Monte Torrero
TOOK all the Cannon and great number Of
prisoners, and did great execution among
the enemy.
The Dnke of Cornegliano being taken
SICK, the Duke OF Abrantes took. in the he
ginning of January, the command of the
third corps. He signalized his arrival Inv
the taking of the convent of San Josef, ana
pursued his successes on the 18th of lam
airy ny the carrying of the tete de pont of
Huerbaf, where his troops mace good their
stand. The chief of battalion Stab. ne The
i4th OF the line. distinguished himeelf at
the attack on the convent of San Josef. and
lieutenant Victor de Button was one Of The
nrst TO scale the works.
The investing of Ssrragossa was no, No,
Co"'P'e'e' hey persisted in leaving omen
the communications, in order that The 10
surgents might be informed of the ov,.
throw OF the English, and their sbameGL
niSht out OF Spain. 1t was ON the 1s,h IS
Januiry that the English were driven ;n, -
ne sea at Csrunaa, and it was on ,hs 5S,S
'hat the operations began to take a serious
aspect before Sarragossa. ''O'
The Duke of Moniebelio had reached :,
on the 10Th, TO take the chief Commend IS
the serge. AS soon as he was ronvincsa
mat the news sentt to the city was ,,roanc-
tive OF no good. effect. and tha, - 49,,