The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-30
From TIE London Saaetts, Nov. IL.
FoREIcH.Orr1rx. Nov. /


A letter, Of which the followingis an extract.
was this dayrcevca by Earl Bathurst, his ma
jesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, from LieHt. Col Carol, dated army of
the left, Camp on the heights of Tamames, Oct.
10. 1909.
SIR,
have the honor to acquaint you that the
army OF Marshal Ney now commanded by Gen.
eral Marchand, advanced on the morning of
yesterday in force 10000 infantry and 1900 ca.
Sairy, with IA pieces Of artillery, to attack this
army, which WI most iudicieusly posted on
these heights. The enemy divided his force into
three columns, which advanced against the right,
centre, and left of our line; it soon become evi.
dent that the principal object Of his attack was
to force and turn our left, it being the point in
which our position was weakest The enemy,
1t the commencement, gained some advantage
OF position on our left, in consequence Of the
retreat of a small party Of our cavalry, destined
to cover the left Of our line. This success how
ever, was nornentary, rs the vanguard, led on
by Generals MeRdizsbal and Carrera, charged
with the greatest spirit and gallantry routed
the enemy, and retook at the point Of the baysnet.
big guns, Of which the enemy possessed himself
during The retreat of oar cavalry. The vanguard
IN this cherse committeagrest slaughter amongst
the enemy, taking from them one pound gun,
with quartty of ammunition. After long
and obstinate contest; the enemy unable to gain
iOot VI SFoul'u, ~ ElNc Way III AL points.
About O'Clock in the afternoon the enemy be-
took TO precipitste and disorderiy flight.
The loss of the enemy, as far we have been
yet able to ascertain, exceeds 1900 in killed and
prisoners. The numbers of the wounded must
be very considerable. Our loss has been com.
paratively very triRing, not exceeding $40 one
Imperial Eagle one FOUNDER brass gun +; }
ammunition Wagons; IL drums, with 4 or 500
stand of arms an immense quantity OF ball car
fridge carts of provisions, and knapsacks load
ed with plumber fell ihto our hands No Ian.
guags caa do sufficient justice 10 the gallant
and intrepid conduct of the troops on this me.
Morable day s; it would be impossible TO make
any distinction in the zeal and ardour Of the dit.
fcrent corps, for all equally painted for contest
The vanguard and first division, however, had
the good fortune to occupy those points aIans:
which The enemy directed his principal efforts,
and to add fresh laurels TO the wreaths they had
acquired in Lugo, St. ]sge, and San Pavo The
steady intrepidty displayed by the second diyi-
SION. through whose ranks the party of retreat
iDg cavalry passed, and the spirit and promptDess
with which it pusht i forward against the enemy.
who had at that moment turned CIR left, is deser-
wing the highest appreciation. The entire of the
cavalry which, with the exception Of the party
attached to the vanguard, about 500, who from
being overpowered, were obliged to retreat, e..
viRced the greatest steadlness and resolution IN
maintaining the post allotted them, and keepipe
the enemy's cavalry in check. 1t is, however, TO
be lamcnted that our cavalry did not find them
selves in stu alton to enable them to take adyar
tage of the enemy's disorderly fight across the
,plain between these heights and the village of
Carrascaljo, lcsgue in extent for had 5 or
600 horsecharged tue fugltircs, the victory would
5havk been more decisive.
The vanguard Of Gen. Ballesteros's division is
in sight we only wit his arrival to pursue and
annihilate the discounted engmy. From prison.
ers wc learn, that Gen. Marchsnd proclaimed at
SaIan anca his intention of annihila,ng, by two
o'clock ON the 18th, $4,000 peasant insurgents
his orders we're, on pain Of death, to possess IL
self OF the heights BY IL O'Clock, as lie proposed
proceeding to destroy Ballastcros's division, az
Ter having dispersed and annihilated this army.
The French General certainly appears to have
held this army very cheap Judging from plan
OF attack, which was far from ludicious but ex.
ecutcd 10 certain point, with the greatest brave
ry and with that intrepidity which the confidence
OF success inspires. Our light troops pul,ued
and hung on the enepy's rear *, eral parties of
which, amongst them were 200 of the regiment
of Balastro, have not returned as yet having
expressed determination Of hanging ON the e.
neny's tanks as long as the cover Of the woods
afo rded facility Of go doing. The number of
the enemy's dead AHEAD; found and buried. a.
mounts 70 upwards Of 1iU0. Several no <lcgkt.
vill be found III tae woods.
a report was IN circulation tlis afternoon, ,lis.
the French general keietE. sd arrived 4,
town, bat gs have been uaabis IT,. race IL 10 ~,
Cor eel source 1bstsuch = vrslt ssould &c md.