Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-22

the stream; tour horses were drowned.
1t was only OF the 18th that Roman,,
whose headquarters were at Oviedo, learnt |
with certainty that 1 was marching up to-
him. The garrison of that city was 5000 |
men, coinposed-o of the princess regiment |
and the militia lie hastened to send 100
men, with two pieces OF cannon, to Penna-
for's bridge, and marched the remainder
of his troops TO Gallegos, in order, likew'se,
to defend the bridge on tn: Nor,. These
two dttachments were provided with i'm
pieHents and powder to- blow up the bridge
in case of need. After these dispositions,
Romano remained tranquil at Oviedo, and
sent orders to generals Maby and Mantiza-
bal, to retrograde by Siiime and Lapola-
de- A,!ande, in order to- cut off our retreat.
On the 18th, at in the morning, the adj
vancea .guard had crossed the Norcca, and
was bending its way towards Grade at
! 3 o'clock, the whole of the artillery and
| rNttafon of the 2Sth marched t. support it.
| The enemy whom they found at Grade
was route with extremt rapitlity as far as
Pennafor-all the heights we're covered
with peasants, and the firing became ex.
'cessive,y brisk on all sides.
| Iordered gen. Lor:et to carry the bridge
at the peint of the bayon.t. 'Fhe order
was executed with the grc1tcat bo!dness
the two pieces OF cannon were taken, and
Eevery one OF the enemy we could come up
with was run through. The cavalry was IN
battle array in small plain, and kept up
our Communications ; hut it WAS requisite TO
abandon il, because wished to avail N.Y.
self of the enemy's flight, in order To carry
the bridge of Ga!legos. Accordingly, l lett
the battalion ofthe 25th toguard the bridge
and heights of Pennltfor, whilst the battali-
on OF Voltigeurs of advanced guard. and 50
nus. marched on to GaIlegos. This last
bridge was considerably well defended by
the Princess regiment, but it was neverthe-
less Carried: We also took IL pountier.
1he enemy was pursued at short distance,
and we returned 10 barracuda ourselves on.
the bridge, in order to wait the meeting OF
the brigades. Meanwhile the passage of
the Narcea continued the whole day and
night.
On the 10Th, at SIX in the morning, the
Sd and 4th brigade were at Oviedo the adj
vanced guard and the first brigade were
taking position at the forked road of Gjon
and hviles, as likewise at Coyes md Lu.
cones, on the Nora.
Romano embarked on the 10Th at S in the
| morning at Gijon, with the members of the
Junta, on board of a Spanish Scout which
kept within sight by contrary winds :rzIe
could behold the entry of the French.
On the goth, the troops entered G!jon.
We found m that town and at Oviedo up.
wards OF ESQ. 900 VT. OF powder, as much
sho, great quantity o. artillery, muskets
and military equipagcs, the whole FURNISHED
by the English. Two briggs, of the same
nation. loaded with sundry articles, were
set on Are by the enemy at the moment of
his flight; cur soldiers succeeded in saving
one of them.
This day small column OF infantry.
| which had sent to Polade Iona, effected
its junction with the head OF general KEEL
lerman's troops. The general viii arrive
here this evening. This column met with
the enemy and routed him.
Tomorrow shall depart from hence, u
march against the insurgents army, called
GalIeia, i know he chiefs are very much
perplexed. am in hopes OF dispensing their
troops, and returning to my former positi-
on.
As far as one can judge in this first mo.
ment ct the dispositions of their minds, the
lower class OF people seems weary OF the
war Romano, and the other chiefs, are
detested.
IL is very difficult to appreciate the loss
OF the enemy it must have been very c,n.
siderable, tor the whole road from the Mar.
cea 20 Oviedo Is covered with dead bndies.
Our loss is not worth mentioning. We have
recovered many soldiers of the 9Th light in
fantry and of the several regiments of the
81 corps.
Signed. The Marshal Duke of Elchingen.
NEY.
Second Letter from his Excellepcy Mar
sIal Duke OF Elchingen. to his Exceheu.
cy the Minister of War.
La Corunna, Sd June.
My Lord, had the hon ,ur Of adore ssiop
you on the Dist ult. report upon the ex.
prdtion of the Asturiss now owe Won
an account of the return OF my troops into
Gsllcia, of the obstacles they had 10 en-
Counter N their march, and of the events
which hav" taken place in this extensive
province during my abseRce
On the 2ist, gen. KeIlerman arrived at
OvIedo, and his troops successively reliey-
ed mine at Gljon, AviIe, and IN the impor
tant positions of Penn hOr and GaIlcgos AZ.
ter having settled with that general the
necessary arrangements for the preserva-
ton OF the tranquility Of the country. be-.
gan my march.
On the 22d, arrived at Aviles, where |
gen Mdrcognet had two days before a
smart fighting with the insurgents, who lost
200 men, aud in which the 2Sth OF dragons
and the 3sth of the line distinguished them,
selves.