Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-27

i u
ments of light dragoons) and the Spanish ca
valry under the orders OF the count &c fenns
Nillamur. They moved in that order uhtii
they were at the distance OF halt a mile from
the town of Arroyo del Moilno, where. being
covered by small height, the columns closed
and divided into three columns, MAJ. genera
Howard's brigade, and three SIX Founders ah-
der the orders Of lieut. col. Stewart, support
ed by the infantry of brigadier gen. Morhio,
formed the left colonel Wilson's brigade,
the Portuguese infantry under the orders OF
colonel Ashworth, two six Founders ahd one
bowitzer, the right under the command OF
major general Howard the cavalry III the
centre.
As soon as the day broke, there came on a
very heavy storm of rain, and a thick fog, UNI
der cover of which the columns advanced ID
the direction and order that had been assigned
for them. The left column com handed by
lieutenant colonel Stewart marched to the
town; the 7lst, and one company OF the ooth
aad 92d regiment, at short distance, ana the
5otb in close columns somewhat IN the rear
with the pieces as a reserve. The Gightcolumn
under the command of ma ior general Howard
having as reserve the 18Th regiment, march
ed upon the right as if TO flank the enemy's
left, and having gained the distance ct can
non shot from said flank, proceeded in cir
cular direction as far as the exterior point OF
the half moon of the mountain already men
toned. The cavalry under the orders OF iieu-
tenant general Sir William ErSkine marched
between the two columns of infantry, ready
to act in front, or On either side, according as
opportunities mi ght Offer.
The progress of our columns was not per-
ceived by the enemy until they had arrived
very near, at which moment they were deil-
ing from the town by the road to Merida the
rear of their column, some OF their cavalry,
and part of their baggage was still within tho
the town. One brigade of their infantry had
marched for Medein an hour before day
break The 7lst ard Odd regiments rushed
into the town, and drove the enemy from eve
nv part of it, at the point OF the bayonet with
the loss of few soldiers cut down by the enc
my's cavalry.
The enemy's infantry that had left the town,
had, at the same time when these regiments
arrived at the extremity of it, formed in two
squares, with the cavalry on the left, ard were
posted on the Merida and Medeliia roads.
with their front towards Alenesca. The square
on the right being formed at halt musket
shot f m the to wn, the walls were Immediate
ly manned by the light infantry of the list,
while the ed regiment flied off without, and
formed itself in line Oh the r!Sht, perpendi
cularly to the enemy's right fink, which sus-
tanned much injury from the well directed Ere
Of the list regiment. Al the same time one
wing OF the 5otb regiment occupied the town,
and secured the prisoners, .n.si TIC other with
three Founders encircied II without; the ar
tiiIery, as soon as it arrived sufficiently near,
fred with great effect upon the squares.
While the enemy was thus occupied upon
their right, the column of ma or-g general How
ard continued to move round their left, and
our cavalry, advancing and passing beyond
the head OF his column, cut off the enemy's
cavalry from their infantry, repeatedly charg-
e, it and put il to flight. The 18th of light
dragons at the same time took possession of
the eneu,y's artillery. One Of the charges
made by two squadrons of the ID of hussars,
and one of the 9th of light dragons, was par
ticularlv distinguished the latter was COM
manded by captain Gore, and all three by ma
jor Busche of the hussars. | ought to have
mentioned before, that the British caya,-
ry having been somewhat delayed by rea-
son Of thedarkneas Of the night, and the
bad state Of the road, the Spanish cavalry of
the count de Penne Villamur was the first,
which on this occasion formed itself in the
plain, and commenced the battle with the enc
nv, until the arrival OF the British.
The enemy was at this moment in full re-
treat ; but the column major-general How
ard having gained the point that was marked
out for it, and that of the left advancing near
er to them, they were obliged either to sur
render, or to dispense and ascend the noun
tain, and ascending to the eastern extremity of
the half moon that had been supposed mac
cessibie, they were followed very closely by
the 2stii and Saith regiments. while the 5eth,
and colonel Ashwofth's Portuguese infantry
vert round the lower part Of the mountain by
the Truxiilo road, in order to take them again
in flank and at the same time the infantry of
brgadier-general Morillo, assembled at some
distance on the left side, with the same object
By this time the enemy's troops, as may
we'll be imagined, were in the greatest panic !;
their cavalry led In Ill flirectio five inE.n-