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

ly active, and make daily skirmishes with
our troops. they are said to bave obtain.
ed reinforcements of men from the oppo..
site coas, Of Cadsanti, it not being possible
for our shipping on account Of the batter
les, to be sufficiently close in with the town
to prevent it, some boats which approach
ed TO reconno'tre have been literally beat
to pieces by the ensmy's shot.
.fugusf Is.
The Battle of Talavera has afforded a
fresh instance that whatever be the supe-
riority ofFrench tactics and impetuosity o.
yer the continental armies of Europe, there
is one nstion to which even the veterans of
France must, however painful to their va
MY concede the palm of superior ty-that
Britain is that nation, it were almost su-
perfiuous to add. The numerous populati-
on over which Napoleon holds despotic
sway, and whose efficient strength he
draws forth by the iron me assure conscrip.
ton, with as little ceremony, or difficulty,
as he would select the oaks of the forest
for his navy-->has enabled the French ar.
MES invariably to attack with a force 50
numerically powerful, as in most cases to
insure success OF the numbers actually
engaged on both sides at this memorable
battle we have not any accurate account,
but from all that can be collected, the
French army headed by king Joseph, the
Duke OF Belluna (Msrshsl VICTORY Marshal
!onrdan, and General Sebastian, exceeded
considerably 10000 men long tried sold
ers, who h d served in the campaigns of
Germany and Poland. The British army
against win CHI the efforts of he French
were exclusively directed, did not greatly
exceed twenty thousand; the Spaniards
hinder Cuesta. were present and some few
.batta'ions were engaged, but by far the
most considerable portion were so placed
as not to have fred shot the service
= however which they rendered was perhaps
not less Important than. If they had been
actively engaged, for they projected the
rieht fiapk of the British army, which,
but for the position maintained by the
Spaniar,is, hid inevitably been turned by
the French, whose superiority OF numbers
woulG urquestionasly have enabled them
10 perform that mauoeuvre.
Ielavera dc Ia Reyns, where the battle
was fought, is in New CASTLE, in the pro-
vince Of Toedo. and stands on the North
side of the Tagus, little below the juno
tion If the river Alberche W tn that river.
twill be remembe red, that the las, dispatch
of Sir a. Wellesley (Which appeared in the
Gazette OF Saturday. was dated the gath
July. In that he states, that "the enemy
had retired at about one in tue morning &c
j corr lude to form junction with the
corps under Gen. Sebassiani."
In that conclusion he was correct and
the enemy bctwesn the 24sh and Goth had
eject 4 9 junction Z" OF all his forces in that
part az Spain." The advanced guard of
Gene rai Cuesta, who had followed the enc
my, was attacked on the 26th, and i'm con
sequence Of the juncticn of the enemy's
forces, was directed to fall back, aud he
" consented" to take up position n con
Junction with the British army near tn TAI
ayera, there tn wait the attack which jt
was obvious, the enemy Teditated. Sir
Robert Wilson was stationed with his corps
at Escolana, which is consider bly, higher
up the Alberche, in a direo, linc Between
Talavera and Madrid, and consequently
had no share in the bartlr. The corps Of
'Veuegas was also 1T distance AT two
O'Clock in the morning Of the 27th, tho
Ffench began the attack, and the British
advanced corps retrea'ed, IN good ord r.
upon the main body, - but with SOME loss -
l. WIS net until tile dusk Of the evening
that the primo pal attack was made win n
the enemy s cavalry attempted TO penetrate
the Spanish infantry on the right, in which
he was repulsed. During the ght the
enemy gained possession OF height from
which he was driven by Major General
Hi. The attack was repeated in the
night, and the enemy aga'D repused, and
repe1ted in ttfe morning, when he was f
nally driven back by Major General Hais
division Our loss at that point was con
siderable. a noon on the 28th, a general
attack was made upon OUT army, WHICH
commenced by an attempt TO gain the s9m,
hight that had been so repeatedly con e
ted but charge of the British cavalry
prevented the execut on Of that part o.
the enemy's plan" The attack Of III.
enemy was then exten ed to our whole lrne
but being finally rcpulsad. he commenced
his retreat across the Alberche, which
{" was conducted in the most regular or
der. and was Effected during the night"
The result e this battle, so glorious to
the military character of England, is 90
pieces Of cannon, ammunition, lambrils, and
some prisoners. The loss of the enemy is
compucG, in Killed. and wounded at / o 600
men. Amorg The killed are Generals Lap
isse and Moriot and amongst the wounded
Generals Sebtst ami and Boulet,
II IS with the most painful sensations that
We are now obliged TO record tiie great n.
mooni u SIS susl aimed by our brave army
The numbers of the lied are 81 Com
fnisSoned and 80 Non com nissioned ON.
oers and DTummers, and 755, rank amt
tle ; wounded, 1876 Commissioned, and 1871
&c. L.. 80 ~ -