The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-09-08

lost, I'll, at length the superiority of our fire
obliged the enemy to abandon the houses,
and last assault ut Killers corps prevent
ed all farther attempts.
From the moment of the re-taking of AS
perm, it became possible 10 oppose an offen-
sive movement TO the enemy advancing up
on the centre, and to- open upon his left flank
a communication. The defence of Aspern
was therefore left entirely to Killers corps,
aud while Count Beiegarde occupied his
right wing on Aspern, he formed his left and
the centre in the direction of Esslingen, in
such manner that, by degrees, he gained
the right flank of the enemy, compelled
hip to repeat, and, by the complete effect
OF the artillery, brought to bear upon the
left wing, which commanded the whole space
from Aspernto Esslingen, gave him a most
severe defeat
Corts Of Lieutenant General, The Prince
RotenzoAern.
The dawn of morning was, with this corps,
also the signal for the renewal of theigigan-
TIC conflict. The enemy's infantry was
drawn up in large divisions. and between
1t the whole of the heavy cavalry was form
ed en- masse. The General of cavalry, Priuce
Lichtenstcin. on observing this order of bat
tie, perceived the necessity of keeping up
close communication with the infantry piac-
ed near him he therefore drew up his right
wing en- echequier, behind the corps of infah
try, but kept his left wing together, with re-
serves posted in the rear
Aprodgious quantity of artillery covered
the front OF the enemy, who seemed DESTROYS
to annihilate onr corps by the murdero,is fire
| OF cannon and howItzers. Upwards IF two
hundred pieces of cannon were engaged on
both sides. and the oldest soldiers never re
collec: ed to have witnessed SO. tremendous a
fire.
i Vain was every effort to shake the intre-
pedity OF the Austrian troops. Napoleon
rode through his ranks, and according to the
| report OF the prisoners made them acqua int
| ed with the destruction Of his bridge, but
added, that he had himself ordered IL to he
broken down, because in this case there
would be no alternative, but victory or death (!
Soon afterwards the whole of the enemy's
line put itself in motion, and the cavalry
made its principal attack on the point where
the corps of cavalry of Prince Lichtenstein
communicated with the left wing of Lieut.
Gen. the Prince of, Hohenzniern. The en-
gagement now became general; the regi-
Tents OF Rohan, D'Aspre, Joseph Colloredo
ard Stain repulsed all the attacks of the e.
nemy. The Generals were every where at
the head OF their troops, and inspired them
with courage and perseverance. The Arch
duke himself seized the colors of Zarch's,
and the battalion, which had already begun
to give way, followed with new enthusiasm
his heroic example. Most Of those who sur
| rounded him were wounded his adiutanr
| General, Count Colloredo, received a ball
IN his hand, the wound from which was CON
sidered dangerous; squeeze of the hand
signited to him the concern ofhis sympathi-
zing commander, who, filed with the con-
tempt OF death, now fought for glory and for
his country.
| The attacks of our impenetrable corps,
bo'h with the sabre and the bayonet, so ra-
pidly repeated and so impetuous, as to be
unpars iieied IN military annals, frustrated
all the intentions of the enemy.
! lie was beaten at all points, and astonish-
ed at such undaunted intrepidity, he was OBJ
| liged to abandon the field of battle
About this time Lieut.. Gen. the Prince of
Hohenzollern observed on his left wing, near
Esslingen. chassn which had been formed
during the heat of the engagement, and af-
iorded an advantageous point of attack -
fresCh' S regiment, commanded by Colonel
eesery, was ordered thither in three corps
and repulsed four regiments of cavalry, ac-
Icompanied with infantry and artillery The
corps remained in the position which they
F.! had taken, ill the grenadiers of the reserve
which the Archduke had ordered forw ard
from Bretenlee %arrived to relieve the bat
talions exhausted with the sanguinary CON
fiict, and continued the attack upon the cen
tire of the enemy S position. Lieut. General
D'Aspre penetrated the four battalions of
grenaders of Pizezinsky, Putcany, Scovaux
and Scarlack, without firing shot. to the
enemy's cannon, where he was flanked by
such destructive fire from Esslingen, that
nothing but the presence of the Archduke,
who hasteaed to the spot. could have induced
his grenaG-erS to maintain their ground -
Captain Count Dombasle had already reach
ed The enemy's battery, when he was wound
ed by twoballs. and Quilted the field.
About noon the Archduke ordered a re-
assault upon Esslingen, which was immedi-
ately undertaken by Field Marshal Lieut..
D'Aspre, with the grcnadier battaIions of
kirchenbetter and SCovaux on the left, and
Scarlach and Gregory in front. Five times
did these gallant troops rush up to the very
walls of the houses, burning internally all
placed in a state of defence; some of the
greHadiers thutst their bayonets into the e.
nemy's loop holes but all their efforts were
fiuitless, or their antagonists fought the
fight of despair. The Archdulie ordered
the grenadiers to take up their former posi-
ton, and when they afterwards volunteered
To renew the assault, he would not permit
them, as the enemy was then in full retreat.
COrfS ofFieid Marshal Lieutenant Prince
Rosenberg.
Both divisions of this corps, which, in adj