Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-10

far as rorrjos
For the reasons stated to yonr Lordship
IN my d'spatch of the gath, moved only
two divisions Of infantry and brigade O,
cavalry across the AIberche to Casaleyos.
under the command of Lieut.. Gen. Sher-
brooke, with view to keep up the com.
munication between Gen Cuesta and me,
and with Sir r. Wilson's corps at Escolo-
ma.
1t appears that Gen. venegas had not
carried into execution that part of the plan
oil operations which related to his corps,
and that ne was still al Daniel, in La
Mancha and the enemy in the course of
the 25th and 26'h, collected all his forces
in this part of Spain, between Torriios and
Toledo, leaving but small corps Of 1000
men in that place.
his united army thus consisted of the
corps OF Marshal Victor, of that Of Gen. Sc.
bastiani, and of seven or eight thousand men
the guards of Joseph Bonaparte, and the
garrison of Madrid. and it was Commanded
by Joseph Bonaparte, aided by Marsnals
jourdan and Victor. and Gen. Sebastian.
On the 26th Gen. Cuesta' s advanced guard
was attacked near Torrijos, and obliged to
tall back, and the G u. retired with his
army on that day TO the left b.nk of the
Aioerche, Gen. Shsrbrooke continu ng at
Casaiegos, and the enemy az Santa Olalla.
IT was then obvious that the enemy in
tended TO try the result of general action.
tor which The best position appeared TO be
IN the neighbuurhood of Talavera and
Cen Cuesta having consented u take up
TINS position on the morning of the 9th, I
ordered Cen. Sherbrooke TO retire with his
corps toits station in the line, leaving Gen.
Mackenzie with division of infantry and
4 brigade of cavalry as an advanced most
in the, wood on the right of Alberche. which
covered our left funk
The position taken up by the troups at
lTalavera extended rather more than two
m les; the ground was open upon the left.
where the British army was stationed, and
1t was commanded by height on which
was, IN echellon and in second line, a di
vision ct infantry under the orders of Maier
Gen. Hill.
There was valley between this height
and a range of mountains still further mon
the let, which valley was not at first oc /.
cupied, as it was commanded by the heiphs
before mentioned; and the range of noun
tains appeared too distant to have any in.
huence upon the expected action.
The right, consisting Of Spanish trooos.
extended Immediately IN front OF the Town
OF falavera down to the Tagus. This mart
OF the gronnd was covered by olive trees.
and much intersected by banks and bitches
The high read leading from the bridge q
YER the a lberche, was defended by n hea-
| Wy battery IN ront Of church, which W .s
occupied BY Spanish infantry. All the
avenues to the town were defended in I
similar manner; the town was occun;e,,
and he remainder of the Spanish infau ~
was formed IN two lines behind the bank,
ON ths roads which led from the town and
the right, 20 the left Of our position
| Ia the centre, between the two armies
there was a commanding ssot of ground. .,
which we hal commenced TO constrnct .
redoubt, with some open ground m IRE reo :
Brig Grn. Alex. Campbell was posted
at this spot with a division of infantry. sun.
ported IN his rear by gen. Cotton's br,qade
OF Dragons, and some Spanish cavalry.
| AZ about . o'clnck on the 9Th, the enc
my appeared in strength on the left banl,
of he Alberche. and manifested an in,sn
ton to attack General Mack zie's dlvis-
| on.
The attack was made before thew co,,d
be withdrawn; but the troops, consist no
| OF Ten. Mackenzi~'s and Col. Do kin,
br'gades, and Gen Anson's brigade of cav
Try, and Supported by Gen PAYNE with
the other four regiments Of cavalry, in the
p'a between T lateta and the wood, with.
drew IN good order, blu. with some loss.
lP'rt'cularly by the Cd battalion 9Th reei,
nen', add Cd battalion 8tst regiment. in
the wood. -
Upon this occasion the steadinsssand die.
eipl'ne ~ he 4Sth regimen, and of the 5 n
lbatt.iion 9th regiment, wers conspicuous /:
aud had particular reasons for being SIT
'sted with the manner IN which Major.
General Mckenzie withdrew his adyaf,c-
ed guard.
rs the day advanced, the enemy ap,eas.
en ~ larger numbers, on the right of the
Alberche,, AMI was obvious that he was
advancing to general attack upon the com.
bined army.
Gen. Mackenzie continued 70 fall back
gradually upon tae left Of the position If the
combined armies, WI ere h was placed IN
the second line IN the rear of the guards
Coll Donkin psing placed IN the same sifua >
ton further upon the lef., in the rear OF the
King, German Legion.
The enemy Immediately commenced his
attack in the dusk of the evening. bv a
cAnnonads upon the left Of our position, and
by an attemp- with his cavalry % over
throw The span Sin infantry, posted az I
have before stated, on the right. FMS at
tempt failed enerely.
Early 10 the night he pushed divisio,
aiDng the Hey on the left Of the he,oh,