Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-09

eItul battery oil ten guns In the Ceutre.
Brig Gen. bikes with the brigade
Of guards, Lic.t. Col. Groves Toi the
2s,h.] Flank Battalion, Lieut.. Col.
Norcou's two companies Of the I'd
rife corps and Maj. Archeon with
part OF 9th foot [separated from the
regiment in the wood 70, med on the
right.
Col. Wheatly's brigade, with three
ct the Coldstream Guards,
under Lieut.. Col. Jackson [separated
likewise from his battalion in the wood
and Lieut.. Col. Barnard's flank batta-
lion formed on the left.
As soon as the infantry was thus
hastily got together, the guns advan-
ced 20 a more favorable position, and
kept up a most destructive fire.
The right wing proceeded to the at
tack Of Gen. Rufin's division on the
Hill, while Lieut.. Col. Barnard's bat
talon, and Lieut.. Col. Bushes de,ach.
ment of the Goth Portuguese, were
warmly engaged with the enemy's
traiIleurs on oar left.
Gen. Lavals division, notwithstan-
ding the havoc made by Mai. Dun.
cans battery, continued to advance in
very imposing masses, opening his fire
of ruusketry, and was only checked
by that of the left wing. The left
wing now advanced firing most de-
termined charge by the three compa-
MES of guards, and the 87th regiment.
These attacks were zealously supper.
ted by Col. Belson withthe 18th regi.
ment, and Lieut.. Col. Provost with a
part of the 9th.
A reserve formed beyond the mar.
row valley, across which the enemy
was closely pursued, next shared the
same late and was routed by the same
means.
Meanwhile the right wing was not
less successful-the enemy, confident
of success met Gen. bikes on the as.
cent of the hill, and the contest was
sanguinary-but the undaunted perse
verance of the brigade of guards, of
Lieut.. Col. Brownies battalion, and of
Lieut.. Col. N, rcott's and Mai. An
derson's detachments, overcame every
obstacle, and Gen. Ruffin's d vision
was driven from the heights in coniu-
sion leaving two pieces of cannon.
No expressions of mine could do
justice TO the conduct Of the troops
throughout. Nothing less than the
almost unparalleled exertions of every
officer, the invinc;ble bravery of every
soldier, and the most determined de-.
voiion to the honor of his maiesty's
arms in all, could have achiev ed this
brilliant success, against such a for
midable enemy, SO posted.
In less than an hour aud half from
the commencement of the acton, the
enemy was in full retreat. The re-
firing divisions me-, halted, and see
med inclined to form, a new and more
advanced position of our artillery
quickly dispersed them.
The exhausted state of the troops
made pursuit impos sible. posi-
ton was taken on the eastern side of
the hill--and we were strengthened on
our right by the return of the two Spa
pish battallons shat bad beel attached
be ore to my division, but which had
left on the hill, and which had been
ordered to retire.
These battalions Walton Guard &
Ciudad Real made every effort to
come backin lime, when it was known
that we we're engaged.
l understand too, from Gen. Whit.
tioeham, that with three squadrons OF
cavalry he kept in check corps of H.
sautry and cavalry that attempted to
turn the Bar.oea Height BY the sea.
Ore squadron Of the 81 Hussars,
Kings Gsrman Legion, under capt.
Busche, and directed by Li=ut. Col.
Ponsonby, [5oth had been attached to
the Spanish cavalry Joined in time to
make a brilliant and most success full
charge against a squadron of French
dragons, which was entirely routed.
An eagle, six pieces Of cannon, the
General Of division RufIin, and the
General of Brigade, Rousseau, WON.
ded and taken the chief of the Stiff
General Belgarle the Aid lei Camp
of Marshal Victor, and the Colonel
of the 9Th regiment, with many other
officers killed, and several wounded