The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-13


repulsed the "Irresisfi6ies," or in other
words, deprived the greater hors of them
Of their e:risfenee Another column re-
turned, reinforced with Westphalians. but
on meeting SO firm a WALL, although of flesh,
those who were left alive, retreated full of
fear. They repeated the attack third and
fourth time. with frantic fury but all their
endeavors had mo other effect. than that of
aggrandiz ing the glories of Corona.
No one can better explain a defence which
does such great honor to the Spanish nation,
than Don Bias de Fournas, Colonel and com J,
mandant of the fourth division of mique-
lets.
The following is. what he communicated
to the Commandant General of the van
guard:
T" Having been entrusted by your excel
iency with the defence of the breaches of
st. Christobal and camp of Alemanes,
have the satisfaction Of acouainting you of
the new glories attained by this garrison.
Yesterday, at 4; in the afternoon, the enemy,
$500 in number, having descended preci
pitately to the town of St. Daniel, assembled
the breaches with great fury. formed into
two columns, and sent others to attack at
the same time the breach Of Sta. Lucia, and
the castles of Calvario and Cabildo. The
drums beat to arms. and the bell of Soma
ten had alarmed all the city. Every one
was at their posts, and the orders Of your
excellcncy were promptly executed and
soon facilitated the means Of opposing the
impetuosity of the enemy. The. regiments
OF Uitonia and Bourbon, Fastening with their
chiefs and officers, were the first that were
stationed in the posts the greatest danger:
the several detachments from the other
corps, either participated in that honor, or
served as a reserve to replace each other
SI,r HecSt vel npI 70 A..
points. Notwithstanding the extension of
the breaches, the difficulties of the ground, ,
the terrible cannonadihg from the enemies
batteries, the continual discharge of mus
quctry from their parapets, AVID the barrack
walls falling every moment with a horrible
crash, yet nothing could intimidate the va
liant defenders of Corona, who with sereni-
ty presented their uncovered breasts to so
many dangers. Atlength, after a contest
OF two hours, we were enabled to repulse
an obstinate enemy for the third and fourth
time. In different points they succeeded so
far IN their enterprise, that their officers
tonight hand to hand with ours in the very
breach, as happened with my lieut. Don
Mariana Fur. An officer who presented
himself with seven soldiers on the breach
near the barrack, animating the rest to fol-
low him, paid with his life for his temerity.
In the square of the barrack three OF the
enemy persisted. who had penetrated thus
far; and four others who intended still to
ascend, Notwithstanding that their columns
had retreated. met their grave under the
ruins of wall
1t would be impossible to detail all the
great actions that will render this day me-
morable, and those that l might name in
particular, would be the first to exclaim in
favor OF their companions. All, animated
by the presence OF your eXceilenoy, fighting
IN the presence of a city, which, by the tri-
umph 1t has obtained in its defence, has be-
come The true country of each of them all
have complied with their duty and with
their glory. / cannot omit mentioning that
the company of reserve of the general, and
many other neighbors, mixed in the lines
with the greatest enthusiasm and that the
intendant Don Carlos Beramendi always
present in every action that was underta-
ken, assembled the Tower of Gironella ac-
companied by the commissarv of war Don
Estifanio Ruiz, where the captain of artille.
ry Don Sebastiano Corona, being wounded
and the corporal killed, assumed the COM
mand, until the arrival of the officer who
came to reinforce his garrison.
The loss OF the enemy was very consi-
derable, 800 were killed, among whom one
colonel was found in the vicinity of the
breaches.
AT the time this was going forward in
the breaches of Alemanes and St. Christie
bal, the enemy's column that descended by
the road of Monjnich halted before the
breach OF Sta. Lucia, which was command
ed by Don Rudolfo Marscaall, colonel of the
regiment of Ultonia. The enemy keepIng
up brisk fire, endeavored to enter it, and
was twice repused with great loss by the
intrepidity OF our soldiers. They attacked
with terrible fury; but Notwithstanding
their desperation, they could not overcome
the constancy of our champions, who. with
out giving room for confusion, very common
in such cases, checked the impctuosity of
the enemy. A colonel, who had the auda-
city to place himself in the crest of the
breach, soon received the reward of his te
merity. The sub lieutenant Don Manuel
CLERGY, who commanded the parapet of the
breach, with nine grenadiers from his corps.
and as many soldiers from the thirds of
Vicque, soon dislodged them from the wall
with that order and serenity SO natural 10
him. The captain of the first thirds of
Vicque, Dan Antonia Codina, who had
charge OF the howitzor, was wounded, AMI
the remaining troops stationed in the steeple
of the church, (whcre Don Rudolfo Mar
schall was mortally wounded) windows and
other parts of the etifice, keeping ND an
incessant fire, assisted the defenders nearest
the breach
The fort of Calvario was also attacked
by column OF 2C0 or 800 men, who advan-
ced as tar as the three breaches made in il
the ardor with which they were received
was such, that they fed precipitately, car
ryin5 of many of the wounded, and aban
doning the ladders and implements with