The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-04-26
BATTLE OF cALpERor.

Pouhoefs q u quahtty OF Rrenades
BATTLE OF CALpERoE.
At FIVE in the evening of the 18th of Ja-
nuary, the army reached the Bridge Of Cal
deron within one hundred yards, and the add
vanced corps composed of volunteers of Eu
rope, Guanajubata and Zeiaya, and made
known that the enemy's advanced corps
were encamped on the other side The bridge
and that they perceived their different po-
sitions protected by cannon. The lateness
OF the hour, and the difficulties we had to
encounter. obliged the general to halt with
every necessary precaution, aud IN this
manner the night was passed. On the
next morning at dawn of day he prepared to
attack them in the following manner 49,
Gen. Condo de la Cadena, with the crown
regiment, the Dragons of Spain and Mex
leo and from the frontiers, was to turn the
right wing of the insurgents, by making a
circuit of about a mile in order to enable
the troops to transport cannon to the height
from whence they had view of the insur-
gents. with orders to dislodge them in the
positions they held, and to erect batteries on
he eminence commanding the bridge to e
nabie the troops to pass. 1t was with much
difficulty and risk he succeeded in making
himself master of that eminence, tor the in
| surgents kept up bri K fire of cannon, and
multitude of armed insurgents opposed
| the troops, but regardless of every dan
ger, they marched up keeping con-
slant hire of grape until they gained the e.
minence--h being necessary to dispatch a
company to assist in carrying up the can
pon. which was very difficult. owing to the
ruggedness of the passage. In this position
| the general ordered the army to commence
| marching for the bridge, but on nearer
approach it was discovered that the insur-
gents had erected a strong battery on the
right, which kept up very sharp fire on the
troops the army was directed Instantly to
halt. and the general with one battalion of
the Column of grenadiers and some cavalry
advanced on to gain possession of the bate
ry before an attempt was made to force the
bridge; at the same time company of sharp
shooters was dispatched for the spot, where
he Condo de la Cadena had taken his po-
s'tion to gain possession of a cannon belong
ing to the insurgents, which kept up gal
ing fire on the men. Words are made
quate to describe the gallantry displayed on
the occasion At ten o'clock the place af-
forded a most gloomy appearance, the left
wing ofthe insurgents kept up brisk fire
and made desperate resistance to the
Condo dc Ia Cadena. On the right wing
General Calleja found the like resistance
the company OF riflemen sustained the fire
OF the insurgents, cannon, 1ntil the Condo de
la Cadena forced the insurgents and pro-
ceeded to their assistance. After this the
army succeeded in getting on the plain and
the insurgents rushed on them, and commen-
ced fire of thirty pieces of cannon from a
battery which commanded the position of
troops. Three times were the troops at
acked and three times were the insurgents
'repulsed. The enemy made false attack
but, the troops being short Of ammunition,
i, was necessary to make desperate resis-
lance. Gen. Galleja perceiving the criti-
cal situation IF gen. Flon, and having dri-
ven the insurgents from the right, advanced
with all the army by the bridge and form
ed a junction with gen. Flon. 1t was then
that they increased their FIRE, wien the
troops found their ammunition nearly ex
pended. but these two brave generals de-
termined TO advance with the bayonet, Ell
Their to die or to be victorious. The fire
commenced at FIVE o'clock in the morning,
and ended at six in the evening. The troops
lost 40 men, and the brave Condo de la
Cadena covered with wounds and glory
The insurgents lost Ga cannon. twelve thou
sand men, and the remainder Of their army
was dispersed.