The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-10-04
IFrom the London Courier efme sosh


=. On the Goth instant at day break. the
enemy opened his fire to batter in breach
the curtain of the front of ST. jobs, at the
angle which it forms with the left flank o.
the bassion ofSt Paul. Our artillery and
infantry behaved heroically they several
times succeeded in silencing their fire, and
retarding an operation which threatened us
with an assault.
- The situation of Tarragora became at
TINS moment most critical; tor, from the
want of shipping, of time aud opportunity,
\ fonnd i impossible for me To save my
garrison by sea, as little could dc so by
land, because the enemy su, rounded me
with an ms ar"-y, and awaited my sally ing
out TO drive me back
CT" speak OF capitalization, was unworthy
of the heroic defence which the place had
made. The Marquis of Campoyerde had
promised to present himself with an army
for my relief; the English had arrived two
days before, with another division of troops
Tor my support but they did not resolve
upon discriminating, when they saw the dan
ger in which the place was of being invest
ed and thus, in spite of tke aid of our
troops, and the presence of our allies, l saw
myself reduced to my own soldiers.
In this state OF things, knowing the &C
tvisy OF the enemy who would not lose
moment IN attacking me before the i'll com
bined operation for raising the siege could
be carried into effect, an operation which
lasted number OF days, took that mea
sure which was due to Spanish honor, to m,
character, 10 my personal reputation /; and
resolved TO die fighting, rather than think
of 2 surrender.
al saw beforehand the two consequences
which my resistance would produce--either
the confusion, the defeat, the fright of the
enemy. IT was victorious; or it ] failed
and the enemy penetrated into the place,
horrible Carnage OF my soldiers and of the
Inhabitants.
g But, in foreseeing all this, in determin
ing 20 receive aud to repel the French up
on the Breach. again consulted 9hether nv
forces were capable of that enterprise, one
OF tue most heroic which the war presents
and to which lew men know how to make
up their minds.
''In reality knew. that I had still 5000
ofthe best and most warlike troops OF Spain.
who had immortalized themselves in the
defence of Tarragona and to whom only
this last effort was waiting for the connie
cion of their work
Resolved then, to resist the assault OF
the enemy, I placed in the face Of the
Breach, two battalionS of provincial Grena
oilers. and the regiment OF Almeida, with or
ders not to ire single musket, and 20 throw
themselves upon the breach as soon as the
French should appear there, in order to
drive back their Column at the point of the
bayonet, (for 1t was thus that this terriD e
operation was TO be executed J and on C. m
Belling them to retire, such d terrible car
mage was to be made among Them, that
they should uot dare TO return a second
ime.
% distributed among the soldiers wine.
brandy and tobacco. spake to them nv
self so as to infiame their courage and |
took all the precautions which were proper
TO be taken under such circumstances. The
result did not answer my expectations. Our
troops received the French with firInness
worthy OF admiration but they did not al
togther follow my instructions, which were
to attack the assailing column in it's adj
vance and the regiment of Almeida soon
yielded the ground which it occupied Tor the
pu pose OF supporting the grenadiers, and
acting as a reinforcement and reserve.
''At last 1900 of the enemy's grenadiers,
Supported by IT 5000 men, without reck
oning the bulk OF tue army OF Suchet, which
surrounded the place on all sides, entered
the breach. Our troops began to retire IN
disorder from tAe wall; and although all the
officers and myself made every effort to
stop them, and prevail upon themst 4exAarge
the enemy anew, and dctead themsesSes in
che streets, this was impossible me sodi-
( ers thiukIDg to find safety IN flights thfew
themselves down on the side towards ~
sea, leaped over the walls and paliiSad&s
and attempted 20 escape but they weretaS
Eer by the enemy's troops, who invested us
onthe Barcelona side of the place.
IL proportion as troops gave way.
fhe enemy occupied the ramparts Of the old
and new sown, and entered the streets.
where all were killed or wounded without
distinction of class, age, or eek. This ira
gedy was only the less cruel, because the
French officers. fall OF generosity, saved all
they could, and even exposed themselves 10
Become the victims of their own soldiers.
who, burning with the thirst of Carnage.
thought only OF Strengthening.
NJ this moment, RAINING myself 10 the
gaze Oh San M gin, TO collect there if Dos
slble, some soldiers, in order to charge the
enemy, to save them duriag the night or to
attempt to ieak through L was wounded
in the belly by tRe stroke OF a bayoneta! and
made prispSer. by an enemy's detachment.
HE report then spread that 1 was killed :
and the genera disorder increased to such
a degree, that tic soldiers might be seen
throwing away their arms, taking 10 fight.
and thus alhng into the hands OF Their cue
mics, VINO made them all prisoners
Iarr4gona, in fine. after one Of the most
obstinate sIeges, during which | left untricd
none OF those measures when are die ated
By the art OF defence. and which The small-
ness OF my torce and means permi r. IL