The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-10-16


During the night of the 21st the enemy
had taken possession of the village of Cal
varasa dc Ariba, and of the height near it
called Neustra Senora de la Pena, our ca
valry being in possession OF Calvarossa de
,Abaco, and shortly after day light, detach-
ments from both armies attempted to OBJ
tain possession of the more distant from
our right OF the two hills called Dos Ara
piles.
Tue enemy however succeeded, their
detachment being the strongest, and hav-
ing been concealed in the woods nearer
the hills than we were, by which success
they strengthened materially their own pc
sition, and had III their power increased
means OF annoying ours.
In the morning the light troops of the 9TH
division, and the 4th Cacadcrcs belonging
10 General Packs brigade, were engaged
with the enemy on the height called Nu-
estra dc la Pena; on which height they
maintained themselves with the enemy
throughout the day. The possession. by the
enemy, however, of the more distant of the
Arapiles, rendered it necessary for me to
extend the right of the army i'll Potence to
the height behind the village of Arapiles
and to occupy that village with light ipfan-
try; & heel placed the 4th division, under
the command of the Hon. Lieut.. General
Cole ; aud although, from the variety OF
the enemy's movements, it was difficult to
form satisfactory judgement of his inten
tons. Considered that, upon the whole,
has objects were upon tie lett OF the
Tcrmes. ! therefore ordered the Hen.
Major Gen. Pakenham, who commanded
the Sd division, in the absence OF Lieuten-
ant Gen. Picton, on account of i'll health, to
move across the Tonnes with the troops
under his command including Hrigadier
General D'UrbaR's cavalry, and To place
h-m elf Behind Aldea Tejada: Brigadier
General Bradford's brigade of Portuguese
infantry, and Don Carlos D'Espana's inian-
try, having been moved up likewise TO the
ne gnborhond of Las Torras between the
third and fourth divisions.
After a variety of evolu,ions and move
mcBts. the enemy appears 60 have deter
minea upon TINS plan abOnt two III the af-
teruooa ana under cover of very heavy
cannOnade. which, however, did us but We
~ little damage. he extended his left and
moved forward his troops, apparently with
all intention To embrace, by the position of
his troops. and by his iire, our post on that
part OF the two Arapiies which we posses
sed, and from thenca to attack and break
our line, or at AL events to reader difficult
any movements OF oors- 20 our right.
The extension OF his line TO his left, how
ever. audits advance upon our right, not
withstanding that his troops still occapied
very strong grounds and his position was
Wei defended by cannon, gave me an OPP
portnnisy OF attackins hun, for which | had
iong 6eea anxious. ] reipforced our right
\ with the 5th division, under Lieutenant
Gen. Leith, which ] placed behind the vii
iage OF Arapiles, on the right of the 4th
division and with the 9Th and 9TH divisions
IN reserve and as soon as these troops had
taken their stations, ordered the Honora-
Bile Major General Pakenham to move for
ward with the 81 division, and Gen. Dur
Dal.,S cavalry, and two squadrons of the
18th light dragons, under Lieutenant Col
s2erVey ia tur colamGs, TO turn the enemy's
lett GA the heights, while Bsigadier Gener-
raj 5radtord's brigade of the 5th division,
under Lieutenant General Leith, the 4th
diNiaion under the Honorable Lieutenant
General GDle. and the cavalry under Lieut.
General Sir Stapletea Cotton, should a.
hack the'n IA The front, supported in reserve
by Inc 6tii division, under Major General
Gimtcsl- the 9Th division under Major Ge-
neral Hope. and Don Carlos D'Espana's-
Spanish division. and >Brigadier General
Pack should support the left If the 4th divi
si3D by iEttsGkig that of Dos Arapiles,
Wh;ch BE eremy he'd. The LIST and light
dr. .sa0ns occupied me ground on the left &
werc5o reserve.
Ins attack upon the enc ry's left was
nz3e az the ma pnsy above described, and
completely succeeded. Major General the
S-~N--' -S4 W. = t-ASha3dIl itnlhef1 the
VISION across the %nemy's flank, and over
ta.ew every Etiag opposed TO him. These
troops were supported N the most gallant
style By tbe Portuguese cavalry unaer Bri-
gaIlitr General D'Ulbam, and Lieut. Col.
EeTyey2s sqeaSroas oftBc 18th, who success
fully detea ted every attempt made by the
enemy on the BaAk OF the Sd division
B29g4dlet fseBeral HraofoTd's brigade the
4.h aud stt divisions, and the cavalry under
Lifut. General Sir Staplelon Cotton, attack
90 sac enemy Ia front, and drove his troops
before fhenl from oae height to another,
Bringing forward I1eir right, so as to &C
GIiie strength opdR the enea1y's nank. in
proportion % the aGyanCe.-Biigadier &c
neral Pack made p very gallant attack up
en the Afapiies, n which, however, ne did
not succeed, excepting IN diverting the at
teStion ofthe enemY's corps placed upon it.
from the troops under the command Of 1t.
General Cole, III his advance.
he cavalry uHdef Lieutenant General
Sir Saapieion Cotton RaGe a most gallant
and succeSsful charge against body of the
enenay's infantry, which they overthrow and
cat 20 pieces. In ibis charge Major Gene
RAJ lie Merchant was Killed ct the head of
his brigade and haze to regret the loss OF
< 1eosE atle Officer.
Atter the crest Of the height was carried,
one division Of the cnem9's infantry made a
stand against the 9TH division, which, after
a severe contest was obliged TO give wav in
consequence Of The enemy having thrswn
SOME troops 0H the left oF the fth division.
H. 4 s..rN.