Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-27
LONDON, November 1a.


We have been tavoured with the sub
stance of the official reports of the late
actions in Biscay, as transmitted to
the Spanish governments. They es-
tablish very important fact, name
", that general Blake attacked the en-
eny on the 5th instant, and not on
the 4tli, as has been stated, and com
pletelv defeated them. The extent of
his victory was not ascertained, as
there are no later accounts from him
than of the morning OF the 9th, when
he put the whole OF his army in motion
In pursuit OF the enemy. They also
dispel the regret which we felt in con-
sequence of the rumour that 700 of the
Spanish troops from the Baltic had
been cut up to pieces. There was
not regiment of these engaged in the
battle OF the 3fst. They did not Join
general Blake's army until after its
retreat from Bilboa.
The following is the substance of
the official account from which we are
enabled to establish the preceding
facts.
1'On the 31st of October, four di-
visions of general Blake's army was
attacked by $4,000 French. After
fighting as became valiant Spaniards
during the whole day, general Blake,
IN order to prevent being surrounded,
determined to fall pack and to form
a junction with the divisions of the
Asturlans and the Marquis de la Ro
mana. The retreat was conducted in
the best order, without the loss Of
cannon, colours, or prisoners. They
halted during the night of the 1st of
November, at Bilboa. General Blake
having resolved to cake post at Val
maseda, tue army marched on the I'd
tor another position, where it was Join
ed by the Asturians, the troops of the
North, and the fourth division of Gal
Hcia ; a small detachment having been
left at Bilboa. On the I'd, the French
appeared before that city in great
force, and the few troops that were
there evacuated it in good order, and
fell back on Valmaseda.
elm the action of the 31st, all the
divisions displayed abe greatest gal
lantry, in maintaining their position "a
gaiDst very superior lorce during the
whole day, with unexampled energy,
and left the field of battle with reluc-
tance /; the enemy, Notwithstanding his
superiority, was unable to gain foot
OF ground. The loss of the Spaniards
was considerable, but that of the
French much greater; so that they
were incapable Of molesting the Spa
niards IN their retreat, which was eff
fected in the most orderly manner.
witnpu' the loss OF single knapsack
The army being concentrated al
Nalmaseda, general Blake received
informau n, on the 18th, that divisi-
on OF the enemy, consisting of1O,OOO
men, was marching on the heights OF
Ontario, win view of cutting off a
division OF his army posted in that
place. lie therefore put his troops in
motion at day break of the 5th,
and at one O'Clock attacked the
enemy. After obstinate battle.
which listed till dark he compl tely
put them TO the rout, with great
slaughter, and the loss Of many pri-
soners, on. howitZer, two ammunition
wagons, and a considerable quantity
OF provisions. Till eleven o'clock of
the night Of the 5th, when the dispatch
was sent OF, prisoners and baggage
continued to be brought in. The mum
Der and rank Of the prisoners cannot
be exactly stated, as ourtroops continu-
ed the pursuit, and there were the
best founded hopes they would be a.
bic to capture great part of the
French division, who finding their re-
treat b. the hi,h road cut off, de6led
by thu edge of the mountains, skirting
the v-llics, in which direction they
wee closely pursued. On the nom.