The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-07-19


nor, and did the same with the other divisions.
had kept in our occupation Poza Velho and |!
the country round it, IN the hope that might
be able to maintain the communication with |
the banks ofthe Goa by the road of Sabugal. |
as well as TO secure The blockade of Almeida.-I
These two objects appeared, however, ultimate
ly incompatible, and consequently abandoned
what was Of tho least importance posted
the light division in reserve, III the rear OF the
left OF the first division, while posted the 9TH
on lofty ground above TurOn, which protected
the right flank and the of the FIRST division,
and covered our communication with the Goa.
debsrring the enemy from the opening towards
Almeila by the road between Iuron and the a.
bove mentioned river.
The movement which on this Oceasion was
necessarily made by our troops was exceeding
ly well conducted, particularly MS II was made
under very critical eircumstances) by Gen.
Houston, Brigadier Gen. Crawford, and Lieut..
Gen. Cotton. The 9Th division WIS protected in
the pass Of Turou by the light division under
the command Of Brigsdier Gen. Crawford, and
on by the British cavalry. Our position extern.
ded along the heights from Turon to Duas Ca
sas-the 9TH division on the left of Turon cover.
ed the rear Of the right The arst division form.
ed n two lines, was on our right. Col. Ash
worths brigade posted in the centre in two lines,
| and the Sd division formed also in two lines,
constituted our left ,,J
| The light, division and the British csyalrv
formed our reserve. Fuentes d'Honor bro.
tected our rear the infantry of Don Julias ioin-
ed the 9TH division in Freneda, at the moment
when ordered Don Julias with the cavalry un-
der his command to hasten to cut, of the. com
munication of the enemy with Cutad Rodrigo
| The enemy's force on the right Of our position.
LATTER they had been placed as ! have lust de-
scribed, confined themselves to caRnonadinp
| and TO some charges with their cavalry against
our advanced posts. The piuuets of the first d.
tt.,f ftssI h,rT ro,tA 4 II
ed one of the se-charges, but during the retreat
mot observing another charge making by the en-
envy, IN sufficient. time to form and face them.
1.-The consequence was that Lieutenan, Colonel
Hill was taken prisoaer, several soldiers. woun-
lded and some captured, before a detachment
LOT British cavalry could arrive TO their sun.
port. .r
The I'd battalion of the A2d regiment. under
the command of Lord Blantyre, repmlsed also a
lchsrgc of cavalry directed against them by the
ienemy.
! The enemy also brought body ofinfantrv IN
act against our forces at Turon, ON the right of
the FIRST. division but it was repulsed BY the
light infantry OF the Royal Guards, com man
Ided by Lieut.. Colonel Guise, and assisted bv
five companies of the 95th regiment, command
led by Capt Oltare. During the cannonade.
Maj. Gen. Nightingale was wounded. but I
hope not seriously.
) The great force ofthe enemy during the whole
Of that day was repeatedly directed against
Fuentes d'Honor. and although the Whe'-'
strength Of tbs q9ssey couI sny .s'
more than momentary possession of il. n was
DEFENDED by the 24th, 7lst & 18th regiments
by Mai. Woodgste, and by the iieht troons he
longing to the LIST division, commanded bv M;
Beck. M'Donaid, and Alley by tho "a, rco!.
lent of Portuguese Csoadorrs' rUnmsuIeu BY
GS Rp:o th sS. Of Col
dcd by col Sutton; the light companies of Col.
Answorth's Portuguese brigade, commanded hu
Col. Pynne, and finally the piquets of the "a az
vision, under the command Of the Hon. Col.
french. Col. Cameron was wounded seriously
IN TINS service, & the command at this point de-.
volved upon the Hon. Col. Cadogan.
These troops were supported, (durinp the at
lacks OF the enemy by the 18th regiment, under
the command of Maj Russell Manners by the
18th, under the command of Lieut. Col Wallace
belonging 10 the brigade under Col M'Kinnon
ana on one OF these occasions the GSth u st. 4.
18th regiments, under the command of Colonel
"a hinnon, charged the enemy and drove them
IN most gallant manner out of the place Col
4 M 'klnnon has mentioned on this occasion with
peculiar praise the good conduct of Lieut.. Col.
Wallace, Brigade M-jor Wild. and Lieut.. and
Adjutant Stuart.
l.. The contest, at this point, lasted until night
during which our troops maintained their posts.
on our positions VIZ
iDey manifested An intention of attacking the
/ posts OF Maj. Gen. Erskino, at Aldre de Bisto
that morning, with the Sd corps, but that Cen
having ordered the Cd battalion Of the I.us;to
man Legion, commanded by Lieut. Col. Offnev
10 make teint of passing the ford of the Ducss
Casas, supported by the light infantry of the
STU division, the enemy found themselves COM
PEELED TO retire.
In the course of this night the enemv BEGAN
TO retire from theirposition on the Dueas Casas.
and thus morning at break Of day their whole
'ofce was IN motion. / am unable to decide ;f
TINS movement be preparatory TO some ne w at
tempt which may have for its object the raisinr
Inc blockade of Almsida, or TO confirmed re-
| treal but ! have good reason to believe thu.
,hHy will DE compelled to embrace the latter de-
termination. ~
The enemys superiority in cavalry ,,,ss very
great--,he cavalry Of the allied afsny being vcry
weak IN consequence Of its recent fatigues 49,
lts being yariousiy detached for the p,,rpose of
iorag'ng, and the reduced state Of the brigade Of
portuguese cavalry, which ws~e acting with tb;e
army IN exchange for brigade OF British caval.
| ry detached to Es,ramsdurs, to serve with MAJ
sbsl Beresford
Inc result offs general action, brought IN h,
our attaching the enemy under sucl, circurnst.n,
ces might have been doubtful; as thew might
nave syaile1 themselves of the necessary con.
Centra'ion OF our forces, not oniy to dispute the
action which would have ersued. but 10 throw
soccors into the fortress Of Aimeida.
he