Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-18
Victory of ATbuhela.

nave lDhnltc satisfaction in Communica-
ting to your ExcellenCy, that the allied ar
my, united at this place, under my orders.
gained on the 10th inst. after very sangui-
nary battle, a complete victory over that of
the enemy commanded by Marshal Scult.
and / proceed TO relate to your Excellency
the particulars of IL.
In a former dispatch acquainted your
Excellency of the march of Marshal Soult
from Seville, and that in consequence judg-
ed it prudent to raise completely the seige of
Badajoz, and to prepare to fight him with
our combined forces, rather than by attend
ing to two objects at the same time to risk
the loss of both. 1t appears that Marshal
Soult was using every means to collect
force that he thought fully sufficient for his
object, the relief OF. Badajoz and for that
purpose he drew sufficient troops from the
corps of Marshal Victor and Gen. Sebastia-
nj, and believe also from the French army
of the centre having thus completed his
preparations, he marched from Seville on
the 10th inst. with corps estimated then at
Is or 10000 men; and on his descent into
Estremadura he formed a junction with the
corps of Gen. Latcur Maubourg, estimated
at 5000 men. His Excellency Gen. Blake
Instantly on learning the movement of Mar
shall Soult, in strict conformity to the plan
proposed by your Excellency, marched to
form junction with the corps under my
command, and arrived at Valyexle in per-
son on the 18th inst. Having then consul
ted with his Excellency General Castanos
it was resolved to 60 and meet the enemy and
give him battle. RI : a..
Learning the determination of the enemy
to relieve Badajoz, marched from before
that place, with the infantry, to the post OPP
posite Valverde, except the division of the
Hon. Major Gen. G. l.. Cole, which left
with 1000 of the Spanish troops to cover the
retreat of our stores.
The cavalry which according to my or
ders was retiring in proportion as theenemy
advanced, formed junction in Santa Mar
tina with the cavalry of Gen. Blake that of
Gen. Castanos commanded by the Count de
Penne Villemur, continued united with
ours. ~" -
Ashalting at yalverdc, though stronger
position, left sBadajcz completely open, i
determined to take position (such as could
be found in this open and level country in
this place, being thus directly between the
enemy and Badajoz. fse a%
The army was consequently united here
on the 18th instant the corps of Gen. Blake,
though it made a forced march for the prr-
pose, only joined that night, and could not
take its position before the morning of the
10th, when the division of Gen. Cole also
joined with the Spanish brigade of Don Car
los d'Hespanha little before the beginning
of the action. Our cavalry had been obliged
in the morning of the 18th to retire from
Santa Martha, and join him.
In the afternoon of this day the enemy
appeared on our front 4; on the following
morning our dispositions were made to re-
ceive them, being formed in two lines al
most parallel to the river of Albuhera at
the high water mark, and covering the
roads to Badajoz and Valverde; though
your .Excellency knows that the whole
superfces of this country is passable in eve
part by troops of all descriptions.
Gen. Blake's corps was on the right in two
lines, his left on the road of VaIverde Joined
on the right to the division of Major General
the honorable w. Stewart its left reached
the road OF Badajoz, where commenced the
right OF the division Of Major General Ham !
ilton, which terminated the line on the left
Gen. Coles division with one brigade of Gen.
Hamilton, formed the second line of the
British and Portuguese army.
The enemy on the morning of the 10th was
not tardy in making the attack at eight o..
clock he was in motion, and his cavalry was
seen to pass the brook of Albuhera cohsidera-
bly, above our right; shortly afterwards he
sent out OF tne wood, which was in the front
OF us, great force Of cavalry, and two
heavy columns of infantry, which marched
towards our front, as if intending TO attack
the village and bridge of Albuhera during
this time, under the protection Of his very
superior cavalry, he caused the principal
corps OF his infantry to defile near the river.
beyond our right, shortly after which it ap-
peared to be his intention to turn us off that
side, and cut us off from Valyerde Iordered
in Consequence Major Gen. Coles division, TO
form'an oblique line IN the rear of our right
and its right to be thrown back and il be-
Coming evident that the enemy sintention was
to attack our right, requested zen. Blake TO
70 form part Of his frstline, and the whole Of
hrs second in the same way, which he did.
The enemy commenced his attack at oo'clock
continuing at the same time to threaten orr
lett; and after a strong and brave resist
ance from the Spanish troops, he gained
the heights ON which they were formed.
I'm the mean time the division Of the honora-
bic major general w. Steward was brought
up to support them; and that of major gen.
Hamilton brought mp towards the left of the
Spanish line, and formed into battalions with
contiguous open columns, 50 as to be able to
move in any direction
The Portuguese brigade of cavalry, com
manded by Drigadier ger. Otway remained
at some distance upon the left in order to OPP
pose any attempt Of the enemy below the