Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-17

the defeat of General Lavsrs division.
The eagle of the 9Th regiment OF Light
infantry, which suffered immensely, and a
howitzer, rewarded this charge and re.
NAMED in possession of Major Cough, OF
the s7th regiment. attacks were
zealously supported by col. belson with
the 18th regiment, and Lieut.. Col. Provost
with part of the 9th.
A reserve formed beyond the narrow val
lev, across which the enemy was closely
pursued, next shared the same fate, and
was routed by the same means.
Meanwhile the right wing was not less
successful the enemy, confident OF sue
cess, met General bikes on the ascent of
the hill, and the contest was sanguinary /;
but the undaunted perseverance OF the bri.
gade of guards, of lieut.. col. Brownies bat
talliop, and of lieut.. col. Norcott's and ma
ior Anderson's detachments, overcame eve.
nv obstacle, and general Ruins division
was driven from the heights in confusion,
leaving two pieces of cannon.
No expressions of mine could Go justice
to the conduct of the troops throughout.
Nothing less than the almost unparalleled
exertions of every Officer, the invlncible
bravery of every soldier, and the most de.
termined devotion to the honor of his ma.
iesty's arms, in all could have achieved this
brilliant success, against such formidable
enc my, SO posted
In less than an, hour and half from the
commencement of the action, the enemy
was in full retreat The retiring divisions
met, halted and seemed inclined to form
new and more advanced position, but our
artillery quickly dispersed them.
The exhausted state of the troops made
pursuit impossible. A position was taken
on the eastern side of the hill, and we were
strengthened on our right by the return of
the two Spanish battallions that had been
attached before to my division, but which
| had left on the hill, and which had been
ordered to retire.
These battallons (Walloon Guard and
Ciudad ReaD made every effort TO come
back in time, when it was known that we
were engaged.
| understood too, from gen. Whatting-
ham, that with three squadrons of cavalry
he kept in check a corps of infantry aud ca.
valry that attempted to turn the Barrosa
Height by the sea. One squadron of the
ID Hassars, kings German legion, under
captain Busche, and directed lieutenant CO.
lionel Ponsonby (both had been attached TO
the Spanish cavalry joined IN time to make
a brilliant and most successful charge a.
gainst squadron of French dragons,
which was entrely routed.
An eagle, six pieces of cannon, the Gene.
raj OF division Rufin, and the general Of
Brigade Rousseau, wounded and taken:
the Chief of the Staff, Gen. Bellegarde,
and Abide Camp of Marshall Victor, and
the Colonel of the 9th regiment, with many
other officers killed, and several wounded
and taken prisoners; the field covered with
the dead bodies aud arms of the enemy, at.
nobly repaid.
CATER bestowing the highest encomium
on the officers and troops, Gen. Graham
proceeds,)
Having remained some hours on the Bar
rosa Heights, without being able to procure
any supplies for these exhausted troops, the
Commissariat mules having been dispersed
on the enemy's first attack of the hill, left
Major Ross with the detachment of the Sd
battalion ofthe 25th, and withdrew the rest
of the division, which crossed the Santi Pc.
tri river early the next morning.
cannot conclude this dispatch without
earnestly recommending to his Majesty's
gracious notice for promotion, Brevet Lieu.
tenant Colonel Browne, Major of the 2Sth
foot, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Norcot,
Major of the 95th, Major Duncan, Royal
Artillery, Major Cough of the s!th, major
the HONORABLE +. Acheson of 9th, and
captain Birch ofthe Royal Engineers, all in
the command of corps or detachments on
this memorable service; and | confidently
hone that th.. hearer Of thic daa.a..L