Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-15
From tie "Star" IF June 81.
FRENCH PAPERS.


Refiorf Qf1is EreeNcncy Marshal Duke Of
Prince ofNeuJchatei, Major Geaerai.
+" MONSIEUR,
Z" / left Seville .. ten o'clock OH the night
of the 9th, as, IN my report OF the 9th had
announced to yon. On the 18th, | Joined,
between Fuentc Cantos and Burivcnide, the
diyision commanded by General I.atour-
>iMaubourg; on the 18th I took a position at
Villa-Franca and Albendralejo; on the 18th,
at Santa Martha and Villalba. My cavalry
had pushed OH close to Albnera, where had
learnt that the armies of the enemy had
formed a junction. The different Spanish,
Portuguese. and English corps arrived from
Lisbon, and even an English brigade, draft
cd from Sicily, had menaced Andalusia. My
advance had the effect Of rescuing this pro-
vince, by compelling the enemy to recall all
their corps, in order to unite them on the Al
buera. Thus, on the 18th, we found our-
selves IN the presence of the hostile army,
and resolved not to lose an instant iii Civ
ing them.
The position occupied by the enemy was
advantageous; it was at the meeting of the
reads which lead to Badajoz, and to Juramen-
ha by Valverde and Olivenza but the Span
ish division under Blake had not vet Joined,
and although by deferring the engagement,
l might have expected some rcinforcements,
and thought had at my immediate disposal
only four brigades of infantry, making Il, Gee
men, with 5000 horse, the whclc amounting
to no more than $4,000, thought it adyisa-
bic to anticipate the junction of Blake with
ms 1000 Spaniards, and to attack them on
the right, IN order to throw myselfupon their
line OF communication: besides, the nature
OF the ground rendered this point of attack
the most advantageous. / knew that Gen.
Beresford, who commanded the army oppos-
ed to me, had two divisions of English infan-
try, amounting to 10000 men. 5000 Portu-
guesc and 5000 Spaniards, under Castanos,
with 5000 cavalry, making in all strength
of $4,000 men; but / entertained no doubt
of success.
General of Division Latour-Mauboure
commanded all orr cavalry, and General Of
Division Girard commanded the two first
brigadcs, making 1000 men, The Brigadier
Generals Werle and Godinot, Commanded
each one other brigade.
General Godinot with his brigade, re-en-
forced by five squadrons, under the orders Of
brigad;er-g general Bieche, WAS directed to-
make false attack on the. village of Albue-
ra bore, with the rest of the army, Oh,
the right wing of the enemy, which was at
the same time charged by our cavalry. &C.
neral Latour Maubourg maneuvred with c.
qtal address and intrepidity he tried, but
IN vain, to draw out the enemy's caval.
ry into the engagement, but it perssycrcd IN
keeping itself constantly in reserve Gene
raj Girard, with his two brigades, advanced
au pas de charge, and made himself master
of the eneny's position. This position was
occupied by Spanish division and an Eng
fish brigade, who gave way, after a very OBJ
stinatc resistance, and were hctly pursued
The field of battle was covered with their
dead, and we took good number of prison
crs. The second line Of the enemy then adj
vanced, and fell upon our line With consider
able effect.
Having placed myself chi the height, I
was surprised to see SO great number OF
troops: and n little after, / learnt from q
spanish prisoner that Blake had come mn
with 9Oc0 men, and Effected junction at ,
O'Clock that morning. The contest was no
longer equal; the enemy more than $4,000
strong, and only $4,000. thought II there
tore my duty no logger to pursue my design.
and ordered the positions that had been tax
en- from the enemy to be kept. In the mean
time, the enemy approached close To our
line, and the contest became most terrible.
General Latour Maubourg made charge
with the I'd Of the bussars, the 1st Of the IAN.
GERS of the Nistua, and the 18th and goth of
tie dragons, with such skill and such cou
rage, that three English brigades we're alter
nateiy destroyed. Blk pieces Of Cannon. 1OOao
prisoners, and six colours (tiose Of the Sd.
18th, and Seth English regiments) were-,eft
an our possession. The cnemt left us tho NJ
sition which We had takes from them. aud