The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-27


and now hope Sir Arthur will be cortent with da.
ting his from the Plains OF Talavera, become ia 1
nous for the actions OF the 9Th and 18th inst at
least for some time.
'My last was dated, and I believe forwarte l, !
the 25th, at which time it was every ones opn- |
on that the enemy retreated however it appears
our advanced guard kept pace with them tii they
received relniorcements of several thous ands
Sir Arthur, m the moraing Of the 27th, put HIM
self at the heal of GU advance (gen Mackenzie's
brigade) and as it is said, induced them to turn
ABOUT and attack him.
"The brint ufthis business was SUSTAINED by
the Sp.nards and this brigade consisting of about
g. 600 men. till about one O'Clock, p VI. when
the Spaniards, by a concerted plan, began TO
give way, which they did in excellent order, and
concealed the greater part of their force behind
the town. But by the time the enemy came up,
they had taken position in wood, with their
right, to the Tagus. two miles, advanced from
Taiavera opposite tile enemy's left, while our
whole force turned out of a wood they were halt.
ed in, and occupied a MIST excellent position,
with our left on steep hill, but easy or access,
extending to the Spanish lines, covering a part
OF the enemy from the right to their centre.
The enemy from tile rapidity Of tier move
ments, got hold of some commanding hills oppo-
lite our loft.
with mountain on their right, and the Ia.
gus on their left, the occupation ofthis hull where
our left was posted, seemed to be the great OBJ
Iect of the enemy, during the whole business
The action commenced about half past O'Clock,
+. NJ by vigorous attack of the enemy on this
post, which was defended by general Hills divi.
sion. They continued their exertions to get pos
session of this hill, till eleven at night, when af.
ter beiag repulsed and drove down every time
they attempted to ascend, they withdrew for the
night. could not see their attack of our right
but was happy to find they did not succeed bet
ter IN that point, and could not boast Of having
gained an inch of ground either on us or the
Span'ards. We lay on our arms the whole night
and was IN hopes they had retired 4; however, at
day light, we were much disappointed AZ finding
them within half gun shot of us, determined to
gam the hill, the attack on which commenced at
D O'Clock, A VI. with the mort dreadful cannun-
ade of round, grape and shell, from numerous
artillery. THIS destructive fire was so well Iii.
rected, that notwithstanding every means we
could think of TO conceal ourselves on the side
| OF the hull, and lying down ON our arms, the
ranks wsse thinned very much without a shot in
return, except from three four pieces of III d.
recJed Spanish artillery. They now renewed
th-'r attempt To take it by storm their infantry
advanced up the hill for this purpose and met
win no opposition, except from our field pieces
tilt they arrived near the top. w,en they were
charged by the 29th, D., 48th, aud | believe
Goth Regiments, who drove them much quicker
down, nan they came up. This division now re.
tired to the foot of the mountain, and dispatch
ed column ri about 1000, to take possession of
tower ON top, which thought ought 10 be &C
cupicd by us before, as by the means of the easv
descent on the other side could with ease be
cat oil, IN case of areverse of fortune from tue
ROAD leading from Orepesa to Talavera, which
was the same we came to the latter by. The Odd
Lit Dragons and Dragon Guards now came
| round the hill, i'll valley between the hill and
| mountain, which kept this French division from
| attempting any thing further till reinforced bv
TWO other strong columns they now advanced,
| and commenced forming line of one of those,
while the other remained IN column ready to re-
ceive our cavalry. The Esd were then ordered to
advance, and did so very regularly, though .un-
der very heavy ire Of miSkeiIy. On common
eng the charge, the column which had succeed
ed ny double quick time IN getting into column,
before the dragons came up The 23d, motwth-
standing, came up to the point of the Dayonet, in
hopes tue enemy would shew some symptoms of
breaking but quite the contrary-they remain
ed as steady as wall, though saw several shells
IAN IN tile centre OF uem--and kept up such a
brisk hire that they soon compelled the 23d to re-
tire IN disorder. The Guards now came up but
very prudently declined charging The loss of
th- Esd must have been very great l went over
the field this morning, and sa " more than could
magine-horsss AMI men completely burned TO
ashes
" This certainly was one of these views in ac-
ton which seldom occur, and indeed one of the
hnest ever saw, or that could be imagined the
Il
zss from the troops the hi--the enems's line
runlng to get INTO col INN, q place of security
the steaclness OF those columns which looked
more like buildings than Inen--and the persever-
ing bravery OF the 25J, in charging, and actual
iy gong round one of the columns. do not think
any painter or pen capable of picturiAg it in half
its beauties
Before the charge, 4 or 5000 of the Spsni.
ards got UP the mor1iain, in rear of our cavalry,
ana IN short time commsnccd very spir ted
attack on tie French, who had the top for near
mile completely Incl with infantry. They kent
up so quick hre, and seemed SO determined 10
carry their point, that in about two hours the en-
envy began to give way IN that quarter but con-
tlnued disputng it for several hours after--when
near sun set they eft it in quiet possession of this
column OF Spanards, who certainly behaved no.
Div
" About O'clock, was glad to find that TIE
enemy mad gained no ground on the right cf the
centre, though could not, for The forest oftrees,
distinguish how matters went on In that quarter
About four o'clock, our battalion was called
from ITS lurking place top Of the hill--when
we were exposed TO heavy fire of shells, By
which we lost at least 100 men, without shot
IN return; and were ordered to proceed singly
down tue hill, to check column that was again
advancing to storm the other side towards the
right and centre) ofthe hill. After forming line
our commanding officer wounded, and standing
the fire OF this column, supported Oy heavy Dis
charge of artillery, for about five minutes, we ii.
red ayeliey and in5tanianeously came TO the
chaIge--lIalted, fred once more, advanced and
charged a second time; when the enemy went
TO The right about and retired. Although they
did not wait the point of our bayonets, we sue.
CcGtSd the grand object of tuakiur fi,en 30.