Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-20


iarly mentions the gallant conduct OF
the SID egiment. and the Portuguese
cassatlores, In tine attack of Pehnal;
aud must add from nv own o5ser.
walton that never saw French infan-
try SO handsomely dislogsd as upon
that occasion. There was only mar
row bridge, ard fording place, in
the river Redinha, by which both the
enemy and our troops could pass !;
but as the enemy commanded both
with his artillery, twas some time be-
fore suficien, force could be collec-
ted TO attack him in his position on
the h, notwithstanding the
difficulties presented by the enemy's
position, the Sd division crossed, and
manoeuvred on his left 6aok, while
the light Infantry and the cavalry,
supported BY a light division, compel
led the enemy to fall back upon Con-
texa. TH-re lore. Wellington speaks
OF the corps and oiIite,s, British and
Portuguese, who distinguished them
selves.
-
ARM, with the exception Of the Cd
corps which was at Espinha) in n
strocg position near Con1exa, and
observed that he was sending off his
baggage by the road which leads to
the bridge Of Murce!la. From this
circumstance, l concluded that col.
Ttaot was still at Coimbra, and that
the enemy being so much pressed,
and closely pursued in his re.reat, had
not been able to detach sufficient bo-
dy OF troops to force col. Trant's po-
sition in that city. In consequence,
l caused the Sd division under the
command OF Gen. Picton, to march
across the mountain supon the enemy's
left, and towards the only road which
remained OPEN TO him for retreat in
that direction. This movement produ-
ced the Immediate effect, of compel
ling The enemy to quis his strong posi-
Ton before Condsxa, and last night he
ercanped IN the mountains, near
place called Casa' Nova, abou.a league
from Condexa. This enabled w. to
oren the communication with col.
I'raut 1T Coimbra, aud also to make
prisoners CT conside,able BODY Of
the enemv's cavalry, which was on Inc
road 10 Coimbra.
This morning we found the 9Th and
aih corps f:,rmed in Q very strong po-
sition in the neighborhood of Caaal
Nova; a light division attacked and
forced back their advanced posts, but
we could only dislodee them from
rheir positions by ents of their
tanks. therefore caused the first lii
vision under gen. Cole to move to.
wards Penella, in order to secure the
passage OF the river Eza, and the COM
monication with Espinhale, near which
place maj + gen, Nightingale had
been observing the movements Of the
Cd corps of the enemy ever since the
10th, at the same time the third divi-
sion under general Pc,on, made
movement on the enemy's left while
tie lett division and gen. Packs bril-
gsde unj-r gen. sir Wlliam Erskine,
threatened the enemy's right. Mai.
gen. Campbell With the 6.h division
supported by the light divisions and
the cavalry attacked the enemy in
front; the LIST and 5th divisions with
col. Ashworih's brigade formed the re-
serve. These movements compelled
he enerav to abandon all his positions
In the mountains, and the two corps,
which formed the rear guard, we're
wen upon the main body, posted in
anda do Corbo, and upon the river
with great loss in killed, woun-
and prisoners. (Here Lord Wei
IN mentions the officers and troops
e allied armies, which distinguish
ihemseives.)
The result of the operations, has
oeen TO save Coimbra, and Upper Bel
"a from The desolaiing ravages ofthe
enemy; and 10 have opened free.
communication with the Northern pro-
Vinces, compelling the enemy to re
treat by the road Of the bridge of Muir
celia, in which rout they may be har-
raised and pursued by the militia
with security on their flsnk., while
the allied army continues to pursue and
press on their rear.
Every part Of this country affords
advantageous positions for retrcating
army, of which the enemy has shewn
that he knew well how to avail himself.
he retire ats in the same manner that
he advapced that is in solid mass,
covering the rear guard in all his march,