Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-03


made acquainted by my former reports, with
the difficulties that we experlencedin our o.
perations before Saguhtun,, owing to the ma
ture of the ground. We had however sue
ceeded after twenty DAYS of labour and fatigue,
in rendering the breach practicable I: but dur
ing that time, general Blake had been joined
by the general in chief Of the army OF Muir
cia, Manly, with all the disposabIe force Of the
insurgents, amounting to COCO men. The di-
vision styled the division Of Albuhera, under
the orders Of Lardizabel and Zayas, joined
with the divisions of Villa Campo and Obizpo,
commanded by O'Donnei and Miranda, which
compose the army of Valentia, together with
the Guerillas, formed a corps Of upwards Of
10000 foot and 5000 horse.
On the oath of October this corps took post
upon the heights of Puch, supporting itsright
by the sea, hankeI by an English fleet, and its
left on the side of Livia. Blake perceiving
that Saguntum was on the point of yielding,
and that the battery of eight "a Founders that
| had caused to be erected would compel it
to surrender, marched towards me in order
to give me battle, and oblige me to raise the
siege.
| directed generals Balathier and Bronikow-
ski with their battalions to continue the block
AIDE and the labours of the siege of Saguntum
general Compere with 500 men observed the
road to Segorba, and served as reserve to
the troops OF the generals Chlopiski aud Ro-
bert, who were intended to act at the defile
that leads from Gilet to Betera and to occupy
my right
On the morning of the 25th at o'clock,
discovered the enemy The heights of Puch
and those which cover the road to Betcra were
filed with artillery and infantry. At 8 O.
clock my trailrurs wore blickly attacked s.
obliged to give ground, and was then con-
yinced that | had to do with other troops
than the Valencia troops. Strong columns
extended themselves in front Of and beyond
my left, under the protection of some Eng
lish broadsides, the troops of the enemy FL
led the village of Puzol, which l had just
Quilted, and 5000 men attacked my right,
which was more than league distant from
me. Being thus outfanked, l resolved to
break through the enemy's centre. Scarce
ly had Quilted height which | Judged
proper to favor my attack, when 1000 caval-
ny and 5000 infantry and artillery came there
to take my place. The hussars of the 4th
charged with bravery, and thrice repulsed,
returned thrice to the charge. The fire of
nine "a Founders, that battered the walls of
Saguntum, could not suppress the enthusi-
asm Of the garrison, who, upon Witnessing
movement in front, in which they believed
they would soon be able to take part threw
their caps in the air and shouted victory.
This first effort was instantly checked by
our infantry, who arrived fin column on the
ofb o++l T onTar IN,
attack the enemy. He went with general Pa
ris to the head of the 9TH of the line; the 10th
and Sd of the Vistula coming after and with
muskets shouldered, deployed with order un
der heavy fire of grape shot and muskctry,
like troops accustomed to conquer. The
brave 9TH gains possession OF the hill with the
bayonet, drives back the enemy and pursues
them Our artillery occupies the hill, bat
the enemy returns to the charge. Our can
noniers are surrounded, and sabrid Gen.
Boussart and the chief d'escadron ST Georges
at the head of the 18th of cuirassiers charge
vigorously 1900 horse boldly led on by gene
raj Caro-, brother of Romano. The conflict
was long, but the valor of the hussars and cui-
rassiers prevails. The field marshas Caro-
governor Of Valencia, & Almoya, from Cadiz,
are wounded, and made prisoners by the quar-
tcrmasters Bazln and Vachelot of the nus
sars--6 peices of cannon are taken.
During this time was making some pro-
gress on the left; some platoons Of our cayal-
ry were obliged to fall back before the Spa
nish dragons. General Palombim, at the
head Of four battalions, received them with
the greatest coolness-the Italian Cd light and
; 4th ofthe line, having reserved their fire, re-
pulsed the charge and covered the field of
battle with killed. On carrying the division
of Hasaspeto the centre, ordered general
Habert to march along the great road and take
possession Of Puzol. He was opposed by the