The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-04-03
FOREIGN.


addressed to his EXcel'ency Don Miguel
Pereira Forjaz, from his Head Quarters
at GallegoS, dated OH the Goth and 21st !
January, 1912.
Most Illustrious and Excellent Sir,
! informed your EXcellency i'll my |
dispatch of the 9th of this month, that had !
attacked the place OF Ciutlad Rodrigo, and |
operations up to that day. Ihave now the
pleasure ct aequain Ing your Excellency that
We took the place by assault last evening.
We continued employed from the 18th to
the 18th, in completing the second parallel
and the communications with it, and in sap
ping nearly as far as the crest of the Glacis.
In the night of the 18th, we also adv anced a
branch of mine from the left of the first
parallel 70 ti,v drciitisy OF tho height IN the
direction of the Convent of St. francisco,
taking position from which the walls of
the fausee-braves OF the place were visible,
and i'll which point battery Of pieces was
constructed and finished, so as to open on
the morning oftthc 18th.
The batteries Of the frs. parallel continu-
Ing atthe same time their fire, had not only
occasisned great damage TO the works, but
had also opened breaches in the walls of
the faussc-brave, and i'll the principal walls,
which breaches we're considered practical
bic ; and the battery on the decliyity OF the
height, which was begun on the 18th, and
opened its hrc On the morning Of the 18Th,
likewise succeeded in opening another
breach more to the left, and in trent of the
suburb OF San Francisco. K consequently
determined to assault the place, although
the approaches had not yet reached the
crest of the glacis, and the counter scarp of
the dele fosse ditch was untouched.
In conformity to my determination the at
tack was made yesterday evening in diff
ierent columns, composed o. the troops ofthe
Sd and light divisions, and Of the Brigade
under the command OF BYigatiicr- General
Pack. The two columns of the right 7aere
led by Lieut.. Col. O"roole of the Cd Portu-
gnese Chasseurs, and Major Rige of the 5th
Regirrert-it being the object of these two
columns TO protect the march of Major Gc-
neral Mackinnon, whose brigade formed the
Sd column, and proceeded to the breach
made in the wall of the faussc brave-these
columns were composed of the troops of
the Sd division, and were all commanded by
Lieut.. Gen. Picton. -
The 4th column, composed of the 43d ard
SD Regiments, and part of the 95th, all
belonging to the light division under the or
ders of Major Gen. Crawford, attacked or
the left i'll front of the suburb OF San Fran
cisco, covering ct the same time the left os
the attack, that the Sd division was making
q. the principal breach.
The 5th column. composed of c-.-...I
PaCA-s DrlSads, uia1~ q false attack upon
the south front of the place-Besides these
5 columns the Gath Regiment, belonging to
the Sd division, proceeded along the ditch in
two columns upon the right of Major Gene
raj Mackmnon's brigade, for the purpose of
protecting the descent of that corps to the
ditch, its attack upon the breach of the
fausse-brave, and facilitating the destruction
Of the obstacles, which it was supposed the
enemy might oppose to its progress.
All these attacks were made with success,
and Brigadicr General Pack, exceeded my
hopes, by converting his false attack into a
real one and his advanced guard, under
the command Of Major Linch, having pursu
cd the enemy's troops that garrisoncd the
exterior works as far as the fausse- brave,
made prisoners of all who opposed it.
Major Rige of the I'd battalion of the 9Th
regiment, after scaling the wall ofthe fausse-
brave, assaulted the main wall at the prin-
cipal breach, in conjunction with the 94th
regiment, comm andcd by Lit. Col Campbell
which had marched along the ditch at the
same time. and had mounted By the breach
OF the fausse-brave, both entering before
the brigade of Major General Mackianon
These two regiments not only covered etfoc-
tuallY the march of Major General Mac
Klnnon's brigade from the trenches EY their
flrst movements and operations, but also
preceded it in the attack.
Major Gene raj era WORD and Major &C.
neral Nanaaieur with the trosps OF the
light division Ola the left were also conside-
rably advanced, and in less than half an
hour after the commencement of the attack,
Our troops had possessed themselves of the
walls Of the place, and formed on the plat
form, which obliged the enemy TO surren-
der having suffered great loss during the
Conflict.
1 am very sorry to have TO add that our
loss has been great, particularly in officers
of the first rank and estimation III the army
Major Gen. Mackinnon after having brave
by mounted the breach, was unfortunately
killed by the explosion of a powder maya.
zine that the enemy had near it, and after
having in the most skilful manner led the
troops under his command. Maj. Gen
Crawford also received severe wount
when he was leading to the assault the
light division, and fear that shall be fol
some time deprived Of his services. MJol
Cen. Vandcleur was likewise wounded, bu
not so severely, and was able to continue il
the field until the end Of the action.
have also to add Lieut.. Col. Coc,sburi
Of the ga regiment, * Maj. George Napier
who commanded the detachment Of tn
light division destined to mount fest tn
breach, and was wounded at the top of il
have much satisfaction ia informing you
Exccllency how general has been the goo
conduct, vaior, patience and perseverance j
great tolls, exhibited by the generals, Off
n A AsN.