Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-21

Lieutenant JeneFVt WV ), L,;
Them wirh part of General Pakenha'h =, VI.
pade. and dove them through the sil''ss !,
but night having come On, ana % t'en. . 8
p,t Anb,m wax not certain what was passing
-, his fl,,nks. or of the numbers oil ms enc
INV. and he knew that the army were 10 iail
h,ck still further, he evacuated the ViiiaSe'
which the enemy occupied, and held during
the night .,o
On tbe 2sth, l formed the army on the
Heiehts behind Scto, having the Slerras slas
Mesa. on their right, and the left at Kendo on
the Coz. about one league in the rear OF the
m,sition which they had occupied Oh the 2fh.
The enemy also retired from Aldea dc ron
te. and had their advanced posts at Albergarla,
and as il appears that they are about 70 re-
tire from this part of the country, and as we
have already had some bad weather and may
expect more at the period of the Eqninoctlal
gale, propose to canton the troops.
Icannot conclude this report OF the occur
rences of the last week, without expressing to
your Lordship my admiration of the conduct
of the troops engaged in the af.ir OF the 25th
instant.
The conduct of the I'd battalion 5th resi-
mcnt, commanded by Mai. Ridge, inparticu-
lar affords a memorable example of what the
steadiness and discipline of the troops, and
.hcir confidence in their officers, can effect,
in the most difficult and trying situations.
The conduct of the 77th regiment, under the
command Of Lieut.. Col. Bromhead, was e.
ouaily good, and l have never seen more
determined attack than was made by the
whole of the enemy's cavalry, with every adj
vantage Of the assistance of superior artllle-
ry, and repulsed by these two weak batta-
lions.
! must not also omit to report the good
conduct on the same occasion, OF the 2lst
Portuguese regiment, under the command
OF Colonel Baccller, and of Ma or Aren't
schidt's artillery.
The Portuguese infantry were not actual
y charged but were repeatedly threatened /;
and they Showed the utmost steadiness and
discipline. both in the mode III which they
prepared to receive the enemy, and in all the
,novements of retreat made over six miles
Of plain, in front of superior cavalry and ar
tillery.
Thc Portuguese artillery-men attached to
the guns, which were for moment in the
,caemy's possession, were cut down at their
guns.
The infantry upon this occasion, were un-
der The command Of Maj. Gen. the Hon. c..
Colyi!le Lieutenant Gen. Picton, being with
TIE troops at FL Bodon, and the conduct of
Maio General Coviile, was beyond all praise.
Your Lordship will have observed by the
details OF the action which have given you,
how much reason had to be satisfied with
the conduct Of the st Hussars and the llth
Light Dragons, of Maj. Gen, Aliens bri-
gade. There were not more than three squad
rons of the two regiments on the ground,
this brigade having for some time furnished
the cavalry for the out-posts Of the army, and
they charged the enemy's cavalry repeatedly:
and Notwithstanding the superiority of the lat
ter, the post would have been maintained, If
| had not preferred to abandon it to risking
the loss of those brave men, by continuing
the unequal contest, under additional disad-
vantages, in consequence OF the Immediate en-
try of IA battaiions of infantry into the action,
before the support which | had ordered up
could arrive.
Mai Gen. Alien, and Lieut.. Coils. Cum
ming and Arentschildt. and the officers of
these regiments particularly distinguished
themselves upon this occasion.
l have also to mention, that the Adjntant
Gen. Maj. the Hon. G. Stewart, being upon
the field, gave his assistance, as All officer Of
cavalry, with his usual galantry.
In the affair of the Oath at Aidca de Ponte,
Brisader Gen Pakenham, and the troops of
the 4th division under the orders Of Lieut..
Gen. Cole, likewise conducted themselves
remarkably well.
His serene Highncss the Hereditary Prince
of Orange accompanied me during the opera
tons which l have detailed to your Lordship
and was for the first time in fire and he con-
Quoted himself with the spirit and intelligence
which afford a hope that he will become an
ornament to his profession.
The enemy having collected for the object
of relieving Cuidad Rodrigo, the army of the
north which were Withdrawn from the attack
which they commenced on Gen. Abadia, in
Gallichia, in which are included % battalions
! of the Imperial Guard, and Gen. Souham's di-
! vision of infantry, composed of troops recent
! ly arrived in Spain from the army of Naples,
,>x,, J,,,,,,, fr,,,, he &c