Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-10

In consequence Of the repeated attempts
upon the height on our left bys,he valley.
had placed two brigades Of BRUSH cav
airy IN that valley. supported in the rear
by the Due d'Albuquerqus's division OF
spanish cav Try.
The enemy then placed light infantry in
the range of mountains on the left of the
valley, which were opposed by division
| OF Spanish infantry under Lieut.. Gen. de
Basssdeuct.
The general attack began by the march
OF several columns Of infantry into the val :.
I ley with view to atsack the height occu-
pied by Major General Hill. These col
uns were Immediately charged by the 1st
herman light dragons and 22d dragons,
under the command of Gen. Arson, direct.
ed by Lieut.. Gen. PAYNE, and supported bv
General Fane's brigade of heavy cavalry 1;
and although the ISL dragons suffered con-
Siderable loss the charge had the effect of
preventing the execution Of that part osthe
enemy's pl,n. -
~. the same time he directed an attack
upon br'gadcr General Alexander c amp.
pen position in the centrs of the combin
ed armies, and on the right oe the British.
! ms ATTACK was most successfully repuis-
ed by Brigad,e~ General CampbeiI, sun.
ported by the Kings regiment of Spanish
cavalry, and two battafo,s Of Soanish in
tantry; and Brigadier Gen. Campbell took
the enemy's Cannon.
| ihe brigatier General mentions par.icu.
lariy me c1nruct of the 9th, and 81 bat.
tiion IN, and Of the ID battalion SD re-
gsments, and was highly satisfied with
the manner in which this part Of the mai
ten was defended.
An attack was also made at the sane
time upon Lieut.. Gen. Sherbrooke's divisi-
ON, which was on the left and centre of
the hrst line of the British army.
MS attack was most gallsntlv repu,s d
10y charge with Sayonets, by the whole
In'vision, but the brigade of Guards, which
were on the right, having advanced too far.
Itney were exposed on their lef, fsnk to
the nre ofthe enemy's battery, and of their
retiring' columns; and the division was
ooiissd TO retire towards the original posi-
! tlon, under cover of the second line ofCSen.
Sottons brigade of cavalay, which l had
moved from the centre, and of the first
battalion 4Sth regiment.
nad moved this regiment from It's ori
guar position on the heights, as snon as I
observed the advance of the Guards, and il
wa, formed IN the plain, and advanced 10
IS rue enemy, and covered the formation
Vi Lieut.. Gen Sherbrooke's division.
Shortly after the repulse of this genera,
attack, IN which apparently all the enemv,s
/ troops were employed, he commenced his
retreat across the AIberche, which was
conducted IN the most regular order, and
was etecte' during the night, leaving in
our nands twenty pieces Of cannon, ammu-
n'gon, tumbrils, and some prisoners.
| your hardship will observe by the in
closed return the great loss. which we
nave sustain d Of valuable officers and sol
diers, IN this long and hard fueht action
with moro than doubl. our ma uhers Tnaf
Oh TIE enemy has been much greater. 7
am informed that entire brigadss Of infan
Ivy nave been DESTROYED, and indeed the
oatsai'ons that retreated were much re
lnuced IN numbers. BY all accounts their
TOSS rs 10 200 men Gems, Lapisse and Mo-
I TOY are kilied-Gens. Sebastian and Bou
let wounded.
Major General Mackenzie, who had de
tingushed himself on the 27th-and ot
lgadier General Langwerih. Of the Kinr's
German Legiop--and of Brigade Major
| Beckett, of the Guards.
! Your Lordshp will observe, that the at
tacks OF the enemy were principally. if not
entirely, directed against the British
troops. The Spanish Commander in
Chef, his officers and troops, manifesto 1
every disposition to render MS assistance
and Those Of them which were engaged did
their duty but the ground which they oc
cupied was so important, and it's front az
the same time so difficult, thai did not
think it proper to urge them to make any
| movement on the left of the enemy while
| he was engaged with US.
have reason to be satisfied with the
conduct of all the officers and sro,ns I am
much indebted to Lieut.. Gen. Sherbrooke
for the assistance I rece we'd from him. r.
for the manner in which ne led on his dj
vision 10 the charge with bayonets.
| To Lieut.. Gen Payne and the cavalry
particularly Gen. Anson's br gade. to Ma
jor Gems. Hill and Tilson, Brigadiers Gems,
Alexander Campbell, Richard Stewart. 81
Cameron, and to the divisions and brigades
OF infantry under their commands resnec
lively, Particularly tn 2oth regiment. com
| handed by Col. White, the fst battalion
ssth, commanded by Col. Donnellan. af,er.
wards when that officer was wounded. nv
Major Miidlemlre (: the 81 battalio, IN
commanded by Lient. Col Sir William Nv.
ers the Cd battalion SD, commanded b,
Lieut.. Col B'ngham the 9Th, comnan.
del by Col. Lyon the 1st battalion Of De
tachment, commanded By Lieut.. Col Bun
bury and Cd battalion 31st, Commander
| by Major Watson and OF the 18th. com.
m andad bv T,iPufenapf CoIooot C.,,..1 -