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


foie. On the 7th came before Badaoz with
these divisions. Gen. Castanos also gave
1000 men to cooperate in the siege, Under
the orders of Brigad. Gen. Don Carlos d'Ics-
Panha. On the Sth, ] ordered the brigade of
Brig, Gen. Kernmis, which was previously
posted upon the xevora, to proceed to Tore
de Santa Eugracia, about two miles from-I3a-
dajoz, on the road to Campo Mayor, and
there to form junction with the Portuguese
regiment II, and two squadrons of cavalry
| OF the 4th and 9th from Elvas, who were to
march at in the morning; the whole to re-
main under the orders of the hon. Mai. Gen.
w. Lumley, to invest the north side, and at
| tack the fort of San Christcyal.
BY some accident that happened to the
bearer of the orders for Brigadier General
kemmis, that officer did not arrive at his
post until 9 o'clock /; and on the hon. Major
Gen. Lumley's joining the light companies of
| the brigade which was advancing towards
the City, with the force that he brought from
| Elvas, the garrison made a sortie upon him,
but was Immediately repealed, and the grena-
| diers OF the regiment commanded by Colonel
Turner particularly distinguished themselves
in charging the enemy. The detachment
suffered the loss which is stated in return
No. /.
On the 9Th Lieut.. Col. Fletcher construc
L
rina upon helreights which communicate those
places, at a considerable; distance; and Capt.
Squire, whom the Eieut. Col. had sent to in
| spect the works. determined to order them
to be raised against St. Christoval.
The operations commenced on the 9th );
the opening the trench on that side immedi-
| ately caused great alarm TO the enemy and
| they opposed it with most heavy fire of balls
and bombs: and in the morning of the 10th
made sortie against the battery, which was
constructing, with 100 men. Being only 400
yards from it, they very soon reached it, and
there being in it OF the corps that covered it
only one company oflight infantry, the enemy
took possession of it, but did no. retain it two
minutes, for the whole corps which covered
IT, and which was very nigh in the declivity
OF the mountgin, immediately seized their
arms, and drove out the enemy with consid-
cradle loss; but regret that have to say
that ours on this occasion was greater; be-
cause our troops were exposed to the balls
| and bombs from the city, and from the fort of
San Christoval, and to the musquetry. from
| the latter. i annex the return of our loss on
| this day and have 70 lament being depri-
we'd of the services of Col. Turner, who, in
| the short time that he was in. the Portuguese
| service, gave me the greatest satisfaction and
in these two days the most evident proofs OF
| his valor
herewith transmit the returns of our SUBJ
| sequent loss of men. during our operations a.
| gainst BadajoZ and the accounts of the ho-
norable Maj. Gen. Lumley, relative to the
circumstances and consequences of the enc
my's sorties ..stt
The loss was wholly on the north side for
the enemy turned his whole attention To op-
pose our progress on that side, and inundated
our works with balls and bombs and wa
have to lament the loss of a greater number
OF officers and soldiers than we had reason to
expect. -.
On the'12th received intelligence from
General Blake, that Marshal Souit had left
Seville on the 10th, and with the declared IN
tention OF Coming to Badajoz. 1t was said
that his force was IS 900 men, and General
Latour Maubourg had again advanced, and
occupied Guadalcanal and Llerena, from
which places the Count de Peene Villemur
was obliged to retire. AS General Blake, in
conformity to the plan Corporations proposed
by your Excellency, had come to Fregenal,
and Gen. Bellesteros from Monasterio extern
ded his advanced guards until within a league
ct Seville. could not suppose that this
march of Marshal Sonlt was merely to obliee
those generals to retire, and leave him quiet
in Seville, or, as was actually stated, against
me, and for the purpose of raising the siege
vi DaudJoZ anu consequently continued my
operations against the place, until the ulteri-
on movements of Soult should determine this
point for me more clearly--and in the night
of the 18th inst. Lieut.. Col. Fletcher opened
his trenches on the south side Of the Guadia-
ma /; but in the middle of the night received
information from General Blake, and from
other quarters, Of the rapid advance Of Mar
shall Soult, and which left no doubt as to his
intentions.
Immediately ordered the operations a.
gainst Badajoz to be suspended, and commen-
ced Withdrawing towards Elvas, our artiIle
ny and stores, which unfortunately Comprised
dearly all that was necessary for the siege;
to withdraw the whole appeared to be We
~ dangerous operation, as well as most la
borious one, under the circumstances of being
obliged to prepare ourselves TO receive Mar
shall Souit. However determined to use e.
very effort to prevent any thing from falling
into the hands of The enemy, and through the
great exertions ofLieut. Col Fletcher, of the
Royal Engineers, and Major Dixon Of the
artillery, every thing was Withdrawn in the
afternoon of the 18th.
1t is but justice to state, that to the zeal
and incessant activity in every branch of the
service, and for the good Of his country, of
Lieutenant General Leite Governor of the
Province Of Alem Teio) we are indebted on