Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-04-29
FROM THE AURORA.
LATEST FROM PORTUGAL.

we have received files OF Portu-
guese and Spanish Gazettes, down to
the early part of April, and some pri-
waite advices of the military aspect of
things in that country from which we
collect the following particulars, prin-
ciPa!ly derived from an officer If the
British army at Lisbon, at the period
OF the departure of the William Penn.
The headquarters of the British ar.
my, under lord Wellington, on the 4th
OF March, was at Cartaxo, near Villa
Franca, on the Tagus, % miles ". E.
from Lisbon, his division, the centre,
consisting Of $4,000 effective British
troops, and two brigades of portu-
gucse.
The head quarters of Marshal Beres-
ford, on the same day, was at Chamas-
co, 40 miles eastward of Cart xo. and
on the left of the ragus. his force con-
sisting or 81. 900 men, principally Por-
tuguese, with some squadrons of Bril-
fish cavalry and British artillery.
The left Of the army under general
Drummond had its head quarters at
Torres Vedras, % miles dur north of
Lisbon, and about ten miles from the
sea, commanding the lower road be.
tween Lisbon and Leyria the force
consisting of 5000 British and 1000
Portuguese, with some auxiliary Spa
niards.
The head quarters OF the French
commander in chief was at this time
and On the 5th March, at Santarsm. sp
miles N. E. of the British head quar-.
tiers.
The accommodating parties Of the
right wing, under general Beresford.
had occasionally crossed TO the righs
side of the ragus, and had made some
demonstrations on that side, the posi-
ton OF general Beresford being 20
miles above the Freuch head quarters :;
bur on the morning of the 5:h March,
1t was found that the French had re-
tired from this position, having left ON
their out-posts number of uniform
ed efigies, as a deception the next
day, the Oh of March, the division of
general Beresford crossed the Tagus.
and formed junction with the right
OF the division of Gen. Wellesley at
Calaga.
The whole army was now in pursuit
OF the French, who had made very RAJ
pid forced marches. Santarem from
Its extent may be supposed to have
contained about s 900 inhabitants. bur
1t now exhibited heap of ruins only
about or houses were left habitable.
the rest without exception unrcofed
and Quilted, nor was there a door or
Window to be seen, so re had been con.
sumed by fire, and the ruins were still
smoking on the 9th. One church ONLY
escaped, the others suffered in the ee.
neral wreck, nor was there particle
OF provisions, nor any thing of any va
lac to be found.
At the position Of SaDtarem, the two
great roads united the lower leads TO
Leyira, from which i, is about 81
miles distant, in direction something
west of north this is the road to Co.
imbra, over which both armies had ira
vailed as far as Leyira, after the battle
OF Bussaco. Col ,,bra is distant from
Santarem abou. 30 miles.
The other or main road, called the
upper road, passes by the French de.
pot of provisions and hospitals at Tho
mar, which was on the n Ease river.
% miles nearly north of Santarem.
The position oil general Beresford was
below the confluence OF the Zezare
with the Tagus, and consequently me.
naced the left of the French, and com.
naDded the upper road which leads
through the strong mountain country
towards Guards aud Almeida, and d.
vided Rodrigo, which have been al.
ready distinguished by the military o.
Perations of the same armies.
The rear guard If the French -was
overtakeu, and some diminishing took
place, IN which there were some lives
lost and prisoners taken on both sides
The British light infantry are reported
as having suffered very severely, bur
they compelled the French 70 ay.