Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-07
FOR EIGN.
From the London Courier qtPthe som Jaly.


Literal translation of report of the siege
of Tarragona, which general Contreras, Ex-
Governor of that place, addressed to the
Council of Regency:
"On tn Goth instant, at day break, the
| enemy opened his fire to batter in breach the
curtain of the front of ST. John, at the an
gle which it forms with the left flank Of the
bastion of St. Paul. Our artillery and our
infantry behaved herocally; they several
times sIccee dcd in silencing their fire and
retarding an operation which threatened us
with an assault.
The situation of Tarragona became at
this moment most critical for from the want
OF shipping, oftimc and opportunity, found
1t impossible to save my gerrison by sea !;
as little could | do so by land, because the
enemy surrounded me with all his army
and awaited my sallyng out to drive me
back.
"To speak of capitulation was unworthy
Of the heroic defence which the place had
made. The Marquis of Campovcrde had
promised to present himself with an army for
my relief; the English had arrived two
days before with another division of troops
for my support, but they did not resolve up
On disembarking when they saw the danger
in which the place was of being invested !;
and thus in spite OF the aid of our troops, and
the presence of our allies, / saw myself re-
duced to my own soldiers.
Gin this state of things, knowing the activ-
ity OF the enemy, who would not lose a mo-
ment in attacking me before the ill-combn-
ed operation for raising the siege could be
carried into effect, an operation which lasted
q number days, took that measure which
was due to Spanish honor, to my character,
tn my personal reputation and resolved to
die fighting, rather than think of a surren-
der.
"I saw before hand the two consequences
which my resistance would produce either
the confusion, the defeat, the flight of the
enemy, if was victorious orh failed, and
the enemy penetrated into the place, hor-
rible carnage of my soldiers, and of the inhab-
itants.
|, but in foreseeing all this, in determining
to receive and repel the French upon the
breach, / again consulted, whether my forces
were capable of that enterprise, one of the
most heroic which the war presents, and to
which few men know how to make up their
minds.
In reality knew that had still 5000 Of
the best and most warlike troops in Spain,
who had immortalized themselves in the de-
fence ofTarragona, and 10 whom only this
last effort was wanting for the completion of
their work.
"Resolved, then, to resist the assaulted the
enemy, placed in the face of tue breach,
two battalions of provincial greDadiers and
the regiment Of Almeira, with orders not to
fire single musket, and to throw themselves
upon the breach as soon as the French should
appear there, in order to drive back their
~, Of flfs &c 81 Ho.
thus that this terrible operation was to be ex-
ccuted1 and on compelling them to retire,
such a terrible carnage was to be made a
mong them, that they should not dare to re-
turn second time:
al distributed among the soldiers wine.
brandy and tobacco, spoke to them my
selfso as to infiame their courage and I
took all tho precautions which we're proper
to be taken under such circumstances. The
result did not answer my expectations. Oar
troops received the French with frmness
worthy of admiration but they did not alto
gether follow ny instructions, which were to
attack the assailing column in its advance
and the regiment Of Almeira soon yielded tho
ground which it occupied for the purpose of
supporting the grenadiers, and acting as a
reinforcement and reserve.
AT last 1900 Of the enemy's grenadiers,
supported by uVe or SIX Thousand men, with
oUt reckoning the bulk of the army of Sou
chet which surrounded the place ON all sides,
entered he breach. Our troops began 10
retire n disordcrfrom the wall and although
all the officers aud myself made every effort
tOstcp them, & prevail upon them to charge
the enemy anew, and defend themselves in
the streets; this was impossible; the soldiers
thinking to find safety IN fight. threw them
selves down on Che side towards the sea, leap
ed over the wsllsand palisades, and attempt
ed to escape; but they were taken by the
afepy's troops, who invested us on the Bar
celona side Of the place.
. In proportion as our troops gave way the
enemy occupied the ramparts Of the old and
new towns, and entered the streets where all
were killed or wounded without distinction
Of class, age or sex. This tragedy was only
less cruel, because the French officers, full
Of generosity, saved all they could, and even
cxDOeed them eelC 90 IN becone the victims If