The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-07

dable confusion Of the different corps, arriving on
tine.
Trusting to the known heroism Of British,
| troops regardless of the numbers and position of
| the enemy An Immediate attack was determine
ed on.-Msj. Duncan soon opened powerful
battery often guns IN the centre.--Brig Gen
bikes with the brigade OF quarts, Lieut. Col
Groves Lof the 28th.1 Flank Battalion, Lieut.,
Col Norcott's two companies of the I'd rifle
corps and Maj. Archeon with q part of 9th
loot Cseparated from the regiment in the wood
formed on the right.
Col. Wheatly'o brigade, with three companies
Jackson Csepara,ed likewise from his battalion
in the wood1 & Lieut.. Col Barnard's flank bat
talon formed on the left.
AS soon as the infantry was thus hastily got to-
gether, the guns advanced to more favorable
position. & kept up most destructive fire.
The right wing proceeded to the attack of
Gen. Ruffin's division on the hill, while Lieut.
Col. Barnard's battalion, and Lieut. Col Bushes
detachment of the Goth Portuguese, were warm
~ engaged with the enemy's trailleurs our
left
Gen Laval's division, not outstanding the ha.
VOC made by Maj. Duncan's battery, continued
to advance in very imposing masses, opening his
hre OF .mnsketry, and was only checked by that
of the left wing The left wing now advanced
hring,.a most determined charge by the three
companies of guards, and the 87th reg't These
attacks were zealousy supported by Col Belson
with the 23tl r .g n.nt, & L cut. Col Proves,
with part ofthe 9th.
y, reserve formed beyond the MARIO W valley, a.
cross which the enemy was closely pursued,
next shared the same fate 'S< was routed by the
same means. 49,.
Meanwhile the right wing was not less sue
cessful /; the enemy, confident Of success, met
Cen Dilkes on the ascent of the hill,
and the contest was sanguinary but the
undaunted perseverance of the brigade Of guards,
OF Lieut. Col Brownies battalion, and IF Lieut.
Col Noroott's and Maj. .Anderson's detacb
nents, over0ame every obstacle, and Gen. Ruff
fms division was driven from the heights in con.
fusion leaving two pieces Of cannon. -.
No expressions of mine uuld do Justice to the
conduct of the troops throughout. Nothing less
than the almost unparalleled exertions of every
officer, the invincible bravery of every soldier,
and the most determined devotion to the honor
OF M malesty's arms in all, could have achieved
this brilliant success, against such formidable
enemy, so posted
In less than an hour and half from the COM
mencement OF the action, the enemy was in full
! retreat. The retiring divisions met, halted, and
seemed inclined to form, and more advan
ced position of our artillery quickly dispersed
them.
| The exhausted state ofthe troops made pur.
suit mpossible.--A position was taken on the
eastern side OF the hill: and we were strength
ened on our right blythe return of tho two Spa
Fish battslions that bad been attached before 10
my division, but which had left on the hill, &
which had been ordered to retire.
These bat'alions (Walloon Guard and Ciudad
Neai) made every effort to come back in time,
! when 1t was known that we were engaged.
understand too, from Gen. WhittiDgham,
| tnat with three sqaadrons of cavalry he kept III
checK corps OF infantry and cavalry that at
tempted to turn the Barrosa Height by the sea.
One squadron of the ID Hussars, Kings Ger
man Legion. under capt. Busche, and directed
oy Lieut. Col Pontonby. (both had been attach
cd 10 the Spanish cavalry Joined in time to make
a brilliant and most successful charge against
squadron OF French dragons, which was en-
tirely routed
DIVISION Rufiin, and the General of Brig ade
Rousseau, wounded and taken the chief of the
STAN General Belgrade, the Abide. Camp of
Marshal Victor, and the Colonel of the 8th regi-
ment, with many other officers killed, and sew
erai wounded and taken prisoners the field CO.
vered with the dead bodies and arms of the en-
emy, latest that my confidence in this division was
nobiy repaid. :.
| (Afier bestowing the highest encomiums on
the officers and troops, General Graham pro-
ceeds.)
Having remained some hours on the Barossa
Heights, without being able to procure any sup
plies tor the exhausted troops, the Commissafi
at mules having been dispersed on the enemy's
hrst attack OF the hill, left Major Ross with
the detachment of the Sd battalion of the 25th,
and withdrew the rest of the division, which
crossed the Santi Petri river early the next
morning.
| cannot conclude this despatch without earn
estly recommending to his Majesty's gracious
notice for promotion, Brevet Lieut. Colonel
! Browne, Major ofthe 18th foot, Brevet Lieut..
Col Norcott, M ajor of the o5th, Major duncan,
Royal Artillery, ajor Cough of the 18Th, Ma.
/ Jor, the Hon. 4. Acheson, ofthe 9Th, and capt
Birch ofthe Royal Engineers, aII III the command
| OF corps OF attachments on this memorable SER
wee; and l confidently hope that the bearer of
! this despatch, capt. Hope Ito whom refer
your Lordship for further details) will be pro-
noted, on his beng permitted to lay the eagle at
his Majesty's feet.
have the honor to be, &c.
THOMAS GRAHAM
p. S. beg leave to add, that two Spanish of
hcers, captains Miranda and NAughton, a tach
ed TO my staff, behaved with the utmos, intre
pidity.
T.G.
ISLE DE LEON, March 10, 1911.
MY LORD,
i have the honor to transmit 10 your
Lordsbip the return Of the killed and wounded
in the action ofthe 5th inst and have the salts
faction to add, that the wounded, in general. are
doing well.
By the best account that can be collected from
the wounded French officers, the enemy had
about 1000 men engaged. Their loss BY reports
from Chiclsns, in killed, wounded and prisoners.
IS supposed to amount to 5000 I have no doubt
of it's being very great.
transmit too a return of the ordinance in nm