Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-31

divisions, while the light aud 9th division
name lvred in front from Mount Murcella
These movements induced the enemy L
order those troops, tina, Had marched OF
the night before, to return to the mountain
of Moita, Withdrawing at the same tim
the troops which had been left at the Alva
and in this manner he united his army OF
the ridge of Moita, at the same time tn
light troops of our right wing were in th'
vicinity of Arganil. and those of our lef
had crossed the Alva.
On the night of the 18th the enemy re
treated from his position of Moita, and ha
continued his retreat with almost prccipita
ton.
Imagined that his rear guard reached
Celerico on that day. On the Oh we uni
ted our army on the ridge of Moita. anc
that day our advanced posts extended them
selves beyond Pinhanzos. The militia un
der Colonies Wilson and Trant were a
Fornus.
We have taken great number of prison
ers, and the enemy continues to destro
his Wagons and artillery, and every thinl
that can retard the progress of his retreat
Most OF the prisoners we made on the I'D
belonged to detachments, which the enc M
had sent to forage in the direction Of tn
Mondego, from whence they had order
to return to the position on the Alva, from
which circumstance concluded that tn
enemy had intended to occupy that position
for some days.
Since my last to your excellency, hav,
received letters from General Mundizabe
and others, relative to the loss of Badajoz
The governor of that place had written OIL
the 9th instant, to the Spanish minister o
war, IN which he expressed no apprehen
sion for the safety of the place. He statet
that the garrison kept upa steady aud wei
directed FIRE against the besiegers, and hae
that day dismounted one of six batterin,
pieces, which the enemy had opened on tht
place. On the 9th he informed Gen. Latte
that he was we'll acquainted with the pur
pose ofnny message. On that day the firing
ceased, and on the 10th and not on the 1tf
as 1 had first understood, the place capitu
lated. In the 9th article it is stipulated
that fort St. Christopher, and the head OF
the bridge which is on the Guadiana, was
to be delivered up TO the enemy, as soon as
he could take possession of those works
from this article we may collect the spirit
which dictated this capitulation.
After the loss of Badajoz the enemy di.
iected his forces against Campo Mayor"
which place he summoned, and it having re.
fused to surrender, he Immediately opened
his trenches against it. A Portuguese bar.
rlson had been introduced, and altho' it is
a place of little strength, l hope it will hold
GU! until Marshal Beresford arrives to its
assistance. The troops under his com
mand will be concentrated in Portalegre to
morrow. Here Lord Wellington speaks
of the operations before Cadiz, with which
the public are already acquainted
Soult has returned towards Seville afte,
taking Badajoz, and it is said that 5000
French returned southwardly, and had pas.
sed ihrough Baccarrosa.
Your excellency has probably seen the
imperial decree, appointing Marshal Bcs
sleres governor of the 9Th division Of Spain
which comprehends CASTLE, and the pro.
vinces to the north oft. The troops des
tined for this generals command do Nc
make a strong corps, nor can he be said tc
have any disposable force except the imperi
al guard, which has been more than twelve
months in Spain, in all probability with the
view of attending the emperor, should he
think proper to visit the Peninsula.
Ihsve still advices that Marshal Besseires
has re. united about 1000 men in Zamora,
OF the imperial guards, and troops drawn
from the garrisons of CASTLE.
have the honor to be, &c. &c.
WELLINGTON.
lNhis ralaea doroL e. q