Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-23

The Hon. Sir Nm. Lumsley. to Marshal
Beresford, dated at the Camp at the u
sagre, 26th May, 1914, at 9 4. NJ.
SIR,
have the honor to inform You, that
have succeeded in dislodging from lisa
gre, the rear guard Of the enemy, and
that 1 got possession of this post in the
night of the 9th instant, by placing
body of Spanish troops in front Of The
town, and the Chasseurs. in the advance
on both sides, and the Portuguese and
British cavalry, with +, Founders in the
rear Of the town-for on one side thereof
is small rivu!et. which answers the rur-
pose of deep ditch, and forms a Ions
narrow defle.
At six in the morning, was inferno
that the cavalry Of the enemy was ad-
vancing in force and that there was every
reason to suppose, that they we're sup
ported by artillery and body nj infantry
but as such reports might have been
exaggerated | did not ch;se to abandon
this place to an inferior force and there
fore l ordered the 18th light dragons,
with the brigade Of Portuguese cavalry,
commanded by col. Otway. to cross the
rivulet, on the left Of the village. by diff
ferent passages, which they had previous
.ly reconnoitred and also detached the
brigade Of Portuguese cavalry. COM
manded by brigadier general Madden. to
cross in the same way, on the right, with
orders to retreat by the same passes, if it
should be necessary. The heavy British
horse artillery remained to protect the
rear of the town. As the enemy ap-
preached we could plainly see that they
advanced with all their cavalry, and five
or six pieces of heavy artillery 6 pound
ers) but finding themselves discovered,
they ordered the discharge Of the first
piece of cannon, upon which 1 gave or
ders to fall back, by slow movement
which was done in excellent order and
without any 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 num-
bers and calibre of their guns gave de-
cided advantage to the enemy, but by the
superior knowledge and the we'll directed
fire Of capt. LIE Feyre and his little corps
with only four pieces of artillery (siN
pounds) an evident and decisive adyan-
tage was soon obtained. The enemy
from this moment undertook to make a
most imprudent attack or rather to COM
nit gross error, for which he 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,
Ms. +, 90, Is. threw themselves into
the town and rapidly formed themselves
on the flank of the Sd dragon guards,
which corps being concealed in small
space took advantage of their position, by
rapid movement formed themselves in
front Of the 4th dragons, by this means
presenting two fronts. A charge Of the
Sd dragon guards was determined upon
and made at this moment, on the right
and simultaneous one made by the 4th
dragons, at the same instant, most judi
ciously directed by brigadier general
Long on the left, which fortunate move
ments soon decided the point. The enc
my's cavalry, who before were wayerins,
the moment ours pressed upon them,
which was almost at the same instant,
We're thrown into confusion and dispersed.
The engagement took place on the
banks of the Inn at bridge Immediately
leading into the town, which l had forbid
our Cavalry from passing, this prevented
us pursuing them, and ascertaining the
loss of the enemy many of the wounded
made their retreat good to the town, o.
Tiers made their escape with their horses
over the river, and many into the gardens
we however made IS prisoners and
found 90 dead on the field of battle, besides
many that were thrown over the bridge
and many more found in the main'stIeet,
besides that peasant has informed us