Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-05-10

fCl oiiNSo'
FALL OF S.fR4GOSS.A.
The following is an extract from Bonaparte' s
XXXiII bulletin. The Emperor IS not
famous for veracity, but in giving credit
to MS enemies we need not suspect him of
exaggeration. Our readers have here a
picture of unconquerablr patriotism, and
persevering heroism, which has few pa
ralels if any, in history. 1t cannot be
read without admiration. - BosfonRe-
bertory.
Onthe goth, the city was severely attack
ed, and the batteries were unmasked. On
the 9th, at noon, the breach was practicable
ON several points. The troops lodged them
selves in the convent of San-in Gracia. Inc
division Grandjean occupied about so hous-
es in the city. Col. Chlopisek, and the SOL
diers of the Vistula, distinguished them
selves. At the same time, the gen. of di-
vision Moriot, in an attack on the left, pos
sessed himself Of the whole front OF defence
of the enemy.
Capt. Guettenan, at the head of the pio-
neers, and of Sc grenadiers, mounted the
breach with rare intrepidity. Mr.. Bodies
XII, an officer in the Vistula Rangers, a
young man of only II years OF age, and
having already receivedsseven wounds, was
the first who entered the breach. The chiefs
of battalion Lejeure, aid-de-camp to the
prince of Neufchatel, and Haxo, behaved
well, and were both slightly wounded.
On the 2oth, the converts OF st. Mo-
nique, and the Great Augustines, were car
ried, as were so houses taken by pioneers.
The sapeurs of the 18th regiment OF the
line, distinguished themselves.
On the 1st February, general Lacoste
was struck with musket ball, and died On
the field of battle. He was very brave &
distinguished officer. His loss has been
much felt by all the army, but more parti-
cularly by the Emperor. Col. Rognat sue
ceeded him in the command of the engl-
neers and the direction of the siege.
The enemy defended every hcuse-three
attacks by mines were carried IN front, and
every day three or four mines blew UP Sc
veral houses, and opened the way to our
troops.
In this way we reached the Corso (the
main street of Saragcssa) lodged ourselves
on the quays, and took possession OF the
university and colleges. The enemy at
tempted to oppose their miners to ours, but,
little acquainted with this kind OF warfare,
their miners were very quickly discovered
and stifed.
This manner of conducting the siege rem
dered its progress slow and sure, but less
dangerous for the army. Whilst three
companies of miners, and eight companies
of pioneers alone, are occupied with this
subterraneous war, whose results are SO
terrible, the city is continually kept on fire
by the mortars throwing shells and tlre-
balls.
The attack had been made but ten days
before the reduction of the city was consl-
dered as not far distant. More than one
third of the houses were in our possession.
The church of Our Lady of the Pillar, who
by so many miracles was to save the city,
was destroyed by bombs, and no longer
tenable.
The duke of Monticello then thought it
was time to take possession of the Suburbs
on the left bank, in order to occupy the di-
ameter of the city, and cross his fire. The
general of division Gazan, carried in a We
nv brilliant manner the Swiss barracks. On
the 18th, battery of fifty pieces opened
early in the morning. At 8, ?. M. a bat
talon of the 18th attacked large Convent,
whose brick walls were or 5 feet thick,
and carried it. 1000 Of the enemy defend
ed the suburbs. Gen. Gazan advanced ra-
pidly to the bridge, by which the rebels
could effect their retreat into the city. He