Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-27

Copy of a dispatch from Gen. HUI TO his ex-
cellency the marshal general Count OF VI
micro, lord Wellington.
MERID4, Oct. so.
Afy Lord-Agreeably to the instructions
that received from your excellency, to drive
the enemy from that part OF Estremadura that
lies between the Tagus and the Gladlana, and
TO put the corps under the command OF ori-
padier general che count dc Penne Villamur,
soain in possession Of the city of Caceres,
(from which he had been obliged to retire by
the superior force of the enemy,) ! put In mo-
ton part of the troops under my command,
on the ed inst. from their environments In the
vicinity Of Portalegre, and advanced with them
towards the frontiers of Spain.
On the 2Sd, the head OF the column enter
ed albuquerque, where | learned that the
enemy, who had advanced as far as Ahseda,
had fallen back towards Arroyo del Puerco,
and Caceres, and that the Spaliards had again
entered Alseda,
On the s4th, Ihad one brigade of English
infantry, nv brigade Of Portuguese artillery,
(6 pounders) and some of my cavalry at Ali
soda, and the rest of my cavalry, another Bri-
pade of English infantry, my brigade of Por-
tuguesc artillery, Is pounders) at Casa de
Cautillana, one league distant.
On the 18th, the count dc Penne Villamur
reconnoitred with his cavalry and drove the
enemy from Arroyo del Puerco the enemy
retreated towards Malpartida, which place
they occupied as an advanced post, with the
loss of 500 cavalry, and some Infantry, their
main body being still at Caceres.
At day break on the Goth the troops arrived
tho he ai.a aa ri
omitted that town, and retreated to CacereS,
pursued by small detachment OF the Cd hus-
sars, with skirmished with their rear. A
short time afterwards, was informed that the
whole of the enemy's force had quilted CAGE
res, but the want of certainty as to the direc-
ton thew had taken and the very bad statc OF
the weather, determined me to order the Por-
tueuese and English troops to make halt at
Maipartida, for that night. The Spanish
troops advanced to Caceres.
+ Having received certain informatlonthat the
enemy had marched towards Torremocha,
nut the troops in motion from Malpartlda on
the morning of the 9th, and advanced by the
Merida road TO the village del Cano, and Cas-
8. de Don Antonia, shorter road than that
which the enemy was taxing and which gave
hopes of being able to cut them OFT, and O.
blpe them to come to action, and here | was
Joined by the Spanish troops from Caccres
On the march | received Information that the
enemy had left Torremocha only that morn
;,p. and that they had halted again at Arroyo
del Moline, leaving their rear at Albany,
which WIS satisfactory proof, that they were
;e,oorant of the movements of the troops un-
der my command. In consequence made
a fhxf at fnn
and there the troops were stationed out OF
sight of the enemy, and were forbidden TO
make any hre.
When arrived at Alcuesca, which is
league from Arroyo del Moline, every thing
canspired 20 confirm me in the opinion, that
the enemy were not only Ignorant OF my prox-
unity to them, but had taken no precautlon
whatsoever; and | Immediately determined
~ attempt to surprise them, or al least oblIge
.he,n 70 come to action before they should
march on the following morning, and made
the necessary dispositions for that purpose.
The town Of Arroyo del Molinois situated
in The lower part Of the extremity of the Ser
n. fridge of hills) of Montanches, which
rurs from this place in the form of a half
moon, almost every where inaccessible, the
two poiats being at distance OF two miles
the road to Truxillo goes round the Sierra on
the cast side.
The road that leads from the town to the
Merida ,nakesa right angle with that of Aleu-
esca, and The road TO Nfedellin passes between
chose of fruxillo and Merida. The ground
ON which the troops had to maneuvre was
niain intespersod with oak, and cork trees.
Consequently nv object was TO post body, of
traops In such a manner IS TO cut OFT the enc
ms eeseat hv any one OF those roads.
TIE troops moved ffqns ti.e loo, Of the Al
enesca al Two in the morning OF the 18th, in
direct column in 'front.' and proceeded towards
>Arroyo del BIolino in the following manner:
major general Towards brigade of infantry
fsrst battalion of the esth, 7ist, and e2d re-
ssie,ents, and one company of the 6oth.II-
Soioncl Wilson's brigade (frst battalion of
tas 2sth, Sd battalion ofthe Sitb, aud I'd bat
,o,;oa Of the s9th s one company OF the 6oth)
ON Portuguese regiment and 9th chasseurs,
uader thu command of colonel Ashworth