The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-21

~ ~NSh va lNONSilDSTs Out near IRON
Madrid that Suchet was still before tina,
place on the 10th of Dec.
Since my last dispatch to Y T.. datct
december 25, Ihave received from Cadi2
the accounts which had not come to hand
1t appears, that Col. Skerret, by the reuues,
OF General Ballestcros had embarked at AL.
geziras the 29th, and had gone to Gibral-
tar to assist that General in an attack a.
gainst the enemy. The said General had
notwithstanding returned to Tarifa on the
"a OF December for he had discovered b,
an intercepted letter, that the object of the
enemy was to endeavor to possess himself
OF that point. He had not attacked it or
the 18th December"
LONDON, Dec. II.
Cofty Of a disfatch from Lieutenant Or.
neral Sir Samuel .duchmutv. to Loro
Mimic, Governor General Of India.
Head Quarters, Uelteureede, ing. 81
MY LoRD.-After a short, but arduou.
campaign, the troops which you did me the
honor to place under my command, have
conquered the capital of lava. They have
assaulted and taken the formidable works
OF the enemy in Cornelis-they have routed
and dispersed his united force-and, in fine,
nave driven him out of the Kingdoms of Ban
ham and jacatra. This brilliant conquest
to-'''DS - AOi ~ WIN anu ulSC1Dl1n-
ed, much superior in number, and well pro-
vided with every thing, is the result of the
great zeal, valour and discipline Of the
troops; qualities which they possess in a
degree certainly never exceeded 1t is nv
duty to lay before your eXceliency the par
ticuiars OF their exploits but it is not pos
slble for me to do them the justice they de-
serve, or to express how much the country
is indebted to them for their great achieve
ments.
Your excellency knows the reason that
decided me to attempt landing in the vici-
nifty of Batavia. This was effected without
opposition, in the village of Chillingching,
2 miles to the eastward of the city, ON the
4th instant. My intention was to take the
direct road to Cornelis, where it was said
the Whole force OF the enemy was collected
in position strongly entrenched, leaving
the city OF Batavia in my rear, for I could
expect to draw provisions from it only for
the important enterprise in which was en-
gagged. AS some time would be taken uD
in making the preparations for the move
ment by land, Judged it convenient to re-
connotre the road leading along the coast to
Batavia, and to observe how far it was prac-
ticable to penetrate by this road. knew it
was very strong, and, if well defended, al
most impracticable. On my advancing with
>
find that they did not dispute the passage,
and that the only obstacle to our progress
was the destruction of the bridge over the
river AnJol l approached the river on
the 9th, and having observed great fire in
Batavia i concluded that it was the intention
OF the enemy to evacuate the city upon
this superstition / ordered the advanced
guard under the command of Col. Gillespie.
to cross the river in boats on the following
night. He secured position in the suburbs
OF the city, and on the 9Th atemporary bridge
was hastily built, strong enough to bear the
ght artillery. On the same day the citi.
lens OF Batavia asked for protection, and
delivered up the city without resistance, the
garrison having retreated to Weltevreede
The possession of Batavia was of the utmost
importance to us. Although the enemy
burnt considerable magazines fpublic stores
before he retreated, and had made every
effort to destroy the rest, we had still the
good fortune to preserve pretty large quar-
tity OF wheat and other provisions. We
found the city indeed abandoned by the Drin
opal inhabitants ; bat still full of an indus
trious class of people, who could be of great
use to the army. Provisions were in great
abundance, and we easily maintained our
communication with the fleet.
On the night of the Sth the enemy made q
oASht dtlcihpI W Cut Oh a. small party j hdC
ordered out for the security of the CITY
but my advanced guard without their know
ledge reinforced it at the commencement o.
the night, and the enemy was repulsed.
lie advance guard, under the command O
Col. GiiespIe, occupied the city on the 9th
early on the morning of the 10Th ! ordered
Col. Gillespie to march on from Batavia witt
his corps to the enCampment of the enemy
at Weltcvreedc, supporting him with tw,
brigades of infantry, which marched befor,
break of day, and followed the same route
he cantonment was abandoned. but thu
enemy was found further on, strongly poster
about two miles in advance of their work,
on Cornclis. Their position was strong. g,
defended by pallisade, garrisoned by 5000
OF their best troops, and four pieces Of horse
artillery. Colonel Gillespie attacked then
with intrepidity and judgment, and after al
obstinate resistance, he took the redoubt a
the point of the bayonet, completely routed
their troops, and took their artillery. 4
strong column of the enemy advanced to sup
port this post, but when they came in con
tact with our line, they we're instantaneous
ly repulsed, pursued Il driven under tn,
batteries.
In this action, which docs so much credi
to Col. Gillespie & all the advanced guard
company of grenadicrs Of the 18th, and ;
detachment of the 10Th, particularly dis
tinguished themselves, by attacking and ia