The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-07-26
FROM PORTUGAL.
TRANSLATED FOR THE PHIL TRUE
AMERICAN.

W
MS advanced posts by a large body of horse.
placed at Csagre. I4enclpse-you q dispatch
have received from thee Hon. Maj Gen
VIM. Lumiey, giving an account. of very
severe action, which took place or the 2s,h
INST. near that place, between. a division of
cavalry of the allied army. and that. of the
enemy posted a. Usagre. which terminated
very favorably to us-I cannot learn THAI the
enemy made any movements in CASTLE, since
l.last had the honor of addressing your Elk
cellency, but it is reported that the army
OF Portugal is about making movement
tawards Evila or the river Teso, and from
the preparations they are making, there re-
mains no doubt but they intend some move
mem
. My last advices from Cadiz are to the
SSth inst. your excellency will no doubt have
received from that city direct, the official
advices OF the capture Of Figueras.
> The honorable Sir VIM. Lumsley, to
Marshal Beresford. dated at the Camp a,
the Usagrc, Goth May, 1911, at A. M
s., SIR,
have the honor to inform YOU that
have succeeded ia dislodging from Usagre,
the rear guard of the enemy, & that rot
possession of this post in the night of the
24;h instant, by placing a body of Spanish
troops, in front of the town, and the Chas..
seurs, in the advance on both sides, and the
Portuguese and British cavalry, with 4. 6
Founders in the rear of the town-for on
one side thereof is small rivulet, which
answers the purpose of deep ditch, and
forms long narrow dekle.
AT s In the morning, / was informed th at
the cavalry of the enemy was advancing in
force and that there was every reason to
suppose, that they were supported by artil-
lery and body of infantry but as such re
ports might have been exaggerated, did
not chusc to abandon this place to an ipfe
rior force &c therefore I ordered the 18th
light Dragons, with the brigade of Portu.
guese cavalry, commanded by Col. Otway,
to cross the rivulet on the left of the village,
oy different passages, which they had pre-,
vinusly reconnoitered and / also detached
the brigade of Portuguese cavalry, comman
ded by Brig. Gen. Madden, to cross in the
same way. on the right, with ord .rs to re.
treat by the same passes, il it should be ne
cessary. The heavy British Horse Artille
ny remained to protect the rear of the town.
AS the enemy approached we could plainly
see that they advanced with all their cavalry
and or pieces ofheavy artillery Is poun-
ders) but finding themselves discovered
they ordered the discharge of the first piece
OF cannon, upon which gave orders to fall
back, by slow movement which was done
IN excellent order and without anv
loss.
The Spanish troops filed off by the main
street OF the town, which was destined for
them to occupy. A heavy cannonade was
then commenced from the opposite heights
and from the superiority of numbers and
calibre OF their guns gave decided advan-
tase to the enemy, but by the superior
knowledge and the well directed FIRE of CAPT
Lie Fevre and his little corps with only 4.
pieces OF artillery six pounds) an evident
ana decisive advantage was soon obtained.
Inc enemy from this moment undertook to
make most imprudent attack or rather to
Commit agross error for which h e was most
seriously punished, for notwithstanding two
pieces OF artillery, which we had placed a
few PAGES distant from the main street. three
OF their choice regiments. No. q, 20, Is,
threw themselves into the town and rapidly
lormec themselves on the flank of the Sd
dragons guards. which corps being conceal-
ed IN small space took advantage of their
position, by rapid movement formed them
selves IN front OF the 9TH Dragons, by this
means presenting two fronts. A CHARGE of
the sd Dragon guards was determined upon
ana made at this moment, on the right and
q simultaneous one made by the 4th ORA
Soons, 1.-THE same instant, most judiciously
directed by brigadier general Long, ON the
iett, winch fortunate movements soon dcci
ded the point. The enemy's cavalry. who
before were wavering, the moment ours
pressed upon them, which was almost at
the same instant, were thrown into confusion
and dispersed.
Inc engagement took place on the banks
OF the Inn, at bridge Immediately leading
into the town, which | had forbid our ca.
VARY from passing this prevented US pursu-
ing them, q ascertaining the loss of the en-
envy many of the wounded made their re.
treat GOOD 10 the town, Others made their
escape with their horses over the river
and many into the gardens--we however
mace 70 prisoners and found 90 dead on
me held OF battle, besides many that were
throwv over the bridge e many more found in
the main street besides thar peasant has
informed US that they had sent from 80 TO
oO wounded IN the rear, some on horses
ana some IA wagons. CANNOT omit on
ms occasion stating to yoGr exccllency that
a party OF Spanish cavalry Of tAose com
W .nued by Condo de Pene VilIaoar. most
6 ohspcuouslY Distinguished themselves nv
d sa'iant charge made on the left, OF the
81 dragon Guards, and il is also noade
known to me that abrigade ofthe cotosnn-
aer Brig Gen. Madden, conducted then-
selVes III the same manner on the RIGHT.
ne great dHst caused by these chaTges
prevented me from observing what han
pened on the flank,
am positively assured by the Information
ol prisoners that the enemy have thirteen
ct 20 = =