Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-04
From the Norfolk Ledger:

rWeare, generally speaking, but little INFORM
ed of what is passing in the interior Of Spain
CT the movements of the grand armies, we
have toierably good information, but ofthose
Of the partizan corps OF Spanish patriots,
our information is exceedingly limited
The following official account is copied
from late London paper, and shews that
the patrols are in force and spirits, and that
a convoy of 1000 men is not safe. The
scene of action was near Vittoria, not more
than so miles from the frontier town of
France, ST. lean de Luz, and about the
same distance north of Burgess
SPAIN
A MOST GALLANT AFFAIR.
DISPATCH from the Stanish general Nina.
EXCELLENT SIR,
=" have the honor to communicate to you
the particular detail of the brilliant and glori-
Gus action for the arms of his Catholic majes-
ty and the Spanish nation, with the enemy, in
in the province Of Alava, on the 25th OF May.
" Having united all mr. force on the 22d, in
the town of Estrella, in the design of giving
them a COM eHient destination, after the action
of Carrancal OH the 18th; having learnt that
5000 French, from the cities of Pamplona and
Tudea, had formed the plan of falling on me
BY distinct routes, and as my remaining In Es-
trella had caused them considerable alarm,
abandoned it without any particular project In
view. suffered the enemy this time to pro-
coed on his destination, and moved with the
lst, Cd, and Sd battalions, and cavalry, to &C.
cupy the village of Orbigo, on the Esd the
4th battalion took different direction, a thus
my plan required it. In this town or village,
which is the first in the province of Alava,
learned that Marshal Massena vas to arrive
at Vittoria, on his way to France, escorted by
1000 men. desired to let this angel of VIC
tory know that my division did not fear him in
spite Of bis triumphs. My second in COM
mand, Don Gvegorio Cuchana, remained in
Orbigo, sick. This valiant soldier and wor-
thy commander of my divisions could not this
time accompany me, though most DESTROYS of
it. Immediately disposed my march for
Manter, where ordered the troops to refresh.
At five O'Clock in the afternoon of the Oath, /
arrived at the port OF Arlavan, where halted
until eight, as the plains near Vittoiia might
have discovered me to the enemy, or to his
spies if they passed during the day. My in
tention was not to enter any village whatever,
in order that no advice should be given to the
enemy, who had ordered, under severe pc
nalties, every occurrence to DC communicated
to them, as well with the view of marching
with greater CELEBRITY, avoiding the delays oc-
casioned in town, in spite of the vigilance of
the officers, my march becoming, by this
means, more laborious, but more secure. l
did not chuse TO ask rations for the same rea-
sons. On the Gath, at four in the morning,
l arrived at the height called Arlavsn, bound
ing between Alava and Guipeneon and after
having reconnoitred the ground, posted the
Sd battalion on the left side of the road, the
ist and Cd on the right, and the cavalry
on the plain near the inn the 4th battalion l
meant to put in yeod, in the design Of sur.