The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-24
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN
PORrUGAL.


Ledger.
Copy Of a despatch, fren, Lord Welington, 10 his
'EseeIlency Don Migue! Forjas, dared
He'd Saorters, Viiia Seco,
49,. March II, 1911.
The eDerly commenced retreat from the no.
s't,ons which he bad occupied in, and near an
earsm. on the night of the 5th inst and on the
morning OF the Gu the British army began the
pu'suin The fret movements OF the enemy in.
dIcsted the Intention OF concentrating cons
deraOie force IN Ehomar. In consequence of
which, detached on the 9th towards that plare
considerable body of troops composed of
Uatsnal bsresford's corps under the command
OF major general sr w. Stewart, which had pre-
yoasiy crossed the Tagus, land afterwards the
~| zere) and the fourth, sixth, and part of the
MIS- DIVISION OF infantry and two brigades of Bri.
tlsh cavalry. In the mean time the enemy con-
tinued his march towards the Monde 60 a part
oltne army having taken the roAd TO Espinhai
whist the second corps and the division OF gen
cral Lolson, took the road to Ancas the re man.
Der % the army taking the Eout towards Pom
osi. Ihe latter was closely pursued and never
sost sight otby the light division the regiment
ot'oyal dragons and the FIRST husssrs, made 200
PrisOncrs.
.On the 9th the enemy re united in from, of
Fom1Sl With the exception of general Loson's
uN'a'oh) having the sixth, egih, and pinth
corps and the division OF cavalry under the com.
mand OF general Mon,hrune. The hussars, the
royal araSoons, aud light DIVISION, here distin.
susheu' themselves, by charge which they
fnaue under the Command of DOL Arenstchild-
a uelacnnent Ut tiie lon Dragons watch had
peeR watching thc eRemy near Lewis made
PRISONERS OF IL attachment OF the enemy's Ora.
80 hs, add arrived before Pombal Just in tim. TO
o' htT oFothers IN arms, and assisted in max
hlB me charge nave nQrlced above
IL Nas not until the lin, that was able tn
concentrate suffice i1rce to attack the enc
ny N DIS pos ton before PoIabal; on that day
she htsI' tnird, fourth, and SIKH corps, the div
nion OF light infantry, and geuerai Packs mr.
S~ue were concentrated IN me fields IN front of
She eneny: IN the night he again commenced
ms rcue"I' abandoning tbs positions. the light
''i',,' the nussars, tile loyal Dragons and
general Packs br gade, the whole under the
command OF MAJOR general Slade, pursued the
enemy, who made ALI effort to MAINTAIN the an
yfent Castle OF Pumbal, but he was ou,ckl, dis
1coSed sllll tue sixth corps and the cavalry of
Sbe eheHy uncer general Monthuae, main
SAhel themselves IN the fields adjacent to the
AP"h' our troops not having arrived IN time
On Oe''e "'s"' came
Ahe enemy continued his retreat during the
-p6h'' ana on the following day the l2th, the
SIKH corps with gen. Monthune's cavalry took
asuong position, at the entrance of narrow
pass between Pombal and Rsdinha: tl,eir no ~
covered by thick wood OF pine and their Iti
tAeehahS TO the heights and mountains towards
sie river winch passes through that town, nav
avg me town itself IN their rear. In tnis position
~.nineoiateiy attacked the enemy, nth the Sd
siiu f'' corps, the light division, gen. Packs bri
Baoe' and tue cavalry the remainder OF The AT
my corning the reserve
me post OF Penhai upon the right of the enc
my was hrst carried by light division, under
~oniH'Iho VI MAYOR general sir w llam Frs
KIN. In the mean time we succeeded m form
ug The troops in field on the Other side nj ,h.
Su hs pass occupied by the enemy at the same
Sh'e thS Su DIVISION under the command Of mxior
&C. a. PIcton, was formed in the vicinity of
~iht"A Tue hrst division, under the command
OF ni"Jot general Cole, was in the centre hay.
5n8 general Packs brigade on its rleht. and nav.
ps communication with the Sd DIVISION The
Wh@ie supported .y the British cavalry +; the
fpurLh' nth and 6th divisions formed the re-
serve.
Our troops were formed with the utmost pre.
cgsioh aAd expedition Lieutenant general sir
% eAt Spencer put himself at the head of Tho
%s"Ops ahd lea them on to the attack of the enc
1py ID ms positions /; Immediately the enemy
%as o5siCdge with great loss In killed. wound
n liz p''soierS. General sir W Iliam Erskne
RSldcul"ily mentions the gallant conduct of the
.3%d regiment, and the Portuguese cassadores.
an Use at'ack OF Penhal ana must add from
Nay own observation that 1 sever saw French
infantry so handsomely dslodged as upon tina,
SIc"eioH' Ihere was only, harrow bridge, and
sioidihS place. IN the Fiv1r Hr,,;nha bv which
Doth The enemy and our troops couId maze mi
as Nie ehelPy commanded both with ms artillery
~ was some Tune before sufficient force could
De Collected to attack hm in his position on inc
Heishis.-Not ~ithst4ndng the difficulties pre.
Srhleo by tbe eneIny's position, the 81 division
EeOSsea' anu nanGuvered on his left flank. while
~Ie light infantry and the cavalry supported bv
aNght div.son, compelled the enemy 20 fail back
upon Condeixa. Here lord Wellington speeks
VI the corps and oihcers, British and Portuguese
Who Distinguished thebselyesl
Yesterday we found all tne enemv,s arm,
AH1'h me execution the I'd corps, which was
"a EsPiahal) IN strOng position near Condeixa,
Aha observed shat be was sending off mn, No.
gage by the road which leads to tue BRIDGE Of
Glurceha From this circumstance, concluded
s"' col AfAnt was still at Coimbra. and thai
oe enemy being 50 much pressed, and closely
psisueo III hlS retreat, mad not been able 10 de-
esch sufhcient uody of troops To force col
AFsntS position IN that city In copsecurpce.
%HuS-u ne sd division under the command az
~ F"tCH TO march across the mountains unon
tAe eheTny's left, and towards the ouiv ,,bsJ
Whice .eIiaibed open TO him tor retresf IN
kh"i direction. 4 his uioye rnent vFoduced ths
0h".9'~te effect, of cOmpe ling t,c enemy 10
gu" us strong position before C1Dd. tx 4, ,ad
@' hBht ne encamped IN the mountains re,r
~. eNDed Cas- Al Nova, aooul let,ri,e f-on,
SshueI1a. ms enabled W To- open die com
hnunlcstion with col. Frant at Coin,bra. and als,
70 make prisoners Of considerable BODY of the
ehehiyS Cavalry which wAs on the road to Ga.