Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-11-03


they did in exccl,ens ordcr, and concealed
the greater part of their force behind the
town. but by the tine the encmy came up,
they had taken position in a wood, with
their rishs 70 the Tagus, tN-o miles advan-
ced from Taiavsra, opposite the enemy's
lefs,. while cur whole force turned out ut a
wood they were halted in, and occupied
most excellent position, with our left on
steep hall, but easy OF access, extending
to the Spanish lines, covering = par, OF
the enemy from their right to their GEN.
ire. The enemy, from the rapidly OF
their movements, got hold OF some commaD-
ding hill, opposite our left.
"Nfith a mountain on their right, ard
the Tagus, on their LEFT, the occupallon o;
this hill, where car LETT was posted, seem
ed to be the great object of the enemy
during the whole business. The action
commenced about half past O'clock, P. NJ.
by vigorous attack o. thc enemy On thus
post, w.,ic', was defended by gen HIS
div sion. Tney Continued their cxerti3ns
| to get possession Ut this hIll ~ / AZ niGh',
when after being rerused and drove down
every time they attempted to ascend,
they withdrew for the night could not
see the attack of our right, but was happy
to lind they did not succeed better IN that
point, aud could not boast OF having gained
an inch OF ground, either on us or the
SpaB,ardss We lay on onr arms the whole
night, and WAS IN hopes they had retired
however, At Day lishe we were much di =
! appoint Il at finding them within haif gun
| shot ct us, determined 10 gam, the hall, me
attack OF which commenced at Eve
| O'Clock VI with the most dreadful Can
nonadc or ronnd, grape, and shells, from
hunerous artillery. Inis destructive
u.4l .l,- at.I th-t t,Nts N
standing every means we could think OF to
| conceal ourselves on the side of the hill, *
laying down Gu our arms, the ranks were
thinned very much, without shot in re-
turn, except from 5 or 4 pieces oil Ill. direC-
ted Spanish artillery. They now renewed
their attempt to take it by storm; their
| infantry advanced up the hill tor TINS pur-
pose, and met with 40 opposition, except
from our Fl id pieces till they arrived near
the top, when hey were charged by the
29th, Cd, 48th, and | believe tn Goth re.
Simen,s, who drove thern much quicker
dowr than they came up. This division
now retired 10 the loot OF the mountain, &
dispatched a Colsmu OF abDut 1000 40 take
Possession OF tower on top, which
though, ought TO he occupied by US before,
as by means of III easy descention, the o..
Their side, We could with ease be cut of,
road leading from Orepesa to Taiavera
which was the same we came in the lat
ter by. The esd light dragons, aud drag
| Don guards now Came + und the hill, in a
| valley between the hill and mountain,
VIII CHI kept this Fl ench div sion :ro,s at.
tempting any thing further, TIL reinforced
| by two other strong columns ; thsy now ac.
vanced, and commenced fornlnS line of
| one OF those, whiie the ohcr re NAMED in
column, ready to receive our cavalry.
| The 23d were tben orcered To advance.
and did 81 very regularly, though under
very heavy tire ct musketry. On Com.
mencing the CHI rye, the couan which
| had displayed, succeeded by double qu,ck
time in getting into column before the
dre gooas Came up. Tue 23d no,wilk stand.
ing, came up to the pom, of the bayonet,
in hopes the enemy would shew some symp-
toms OF breaking but quite the contrary,
they remained IS s,eady as 2 wall though
| saw several shells fail in the centre of
| them and kept up such a brisk Ere, that
| they soon compelled the 23d to retire IN
disorder. The guards now came up, but
| very prudentIy declined charging The
| loss of the 23d must have been very great
| went over the field this morning, and
saw more than l could imaglneo-=horses s.
men completely burned to ashes
THIS ceryainly was one of those views
| III action which seldom occur, and indeed
one of the fines ever saw, or til at cou,d
he imagined the 23d advancing, under
| repeated Shouts and huzzas from the tronDs
on the hill the eneIny's line running To
get into column, rs plare of security !:
| the steadIness OF those CO umns, when look-
ed more like buildings than men, and the
persevering bravery Of "a: 25d, IN charr.
ing, and ciualy going round one of the
Columns. do not think any painter or pen
capable OF p curing it in half its beau
ties.
Before the charge, or 5000 of the
Spaniards got on the mountain in rear of
our cavalry, and in a short time commen-
ced very SPIRITED attack o. the French,
who had the top Tor near mile complete.
IY lined with infantry. They kept up so
quick fire, AMI seemed 81 determined to
carry their point, that in about two hours
the enemy began to give way in that quar-
ter bu. continued dspu ing it for several
hours after ben ne sunset they left IL
IN quiet possess.On OF this column OF Spapi.
ards, who certainly Dsoaved molly.
About three O'clock, / was did 10 find
Tat the enemy bad & med no ground ON
The right OF III, ccn.rc, trough /,
could no fcr the forest Of tress, d stirgush
how m tiers went on IN tnaf cuarte