Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-19

ire Of ereat eyents, that enemy, who, un'
der pre,ence Of succoring the inhabitants
of the peninsula, has in reality devoted
them forum, was not inactive He ss'
sembled the whole Of his disposabIe
force... English, SPaniards, and portu-
guese, under bis most experienced ON
GERS and relying upon the superiority
Of his numbers, advanced in three divl-
sions against the Faench force assem-
bled nBon the Douro. With well pro
vided iortresses in his front and rear, q
skilful general, enjoying the confidence
OF bis troops, might, by selecting good
positions. have braved and discounted
this motley levy. But, unhappily, at
this critical period, timorous and pusii-
luminous councils we're followed. The
fortresses were abandoned and blown up
-hasty and disorderly marches gave
confidence to the enemy; and a veteran
army, small, indeed. in number, but
great in all that constitutes the military
character, which had fought, bled. and
trium pied in every province OF Spain,
beheld with indignation its laurels tar
nished, and itself compelled to abandon
all it's acauisitions-the trophies OF many
well fought and bloody day. When at
length the indignant voice of the oops
arrested this disgraceful flight and It's
commander, touched with shame, yield
ed to the general desire, and determine
cd upon giving battle near Vlttorla, who
can doubt from this generous enthusi-
asm, this fine sense OF honor, what would
have been the result, had the General
been wosthy Of bis troops-had he, in
short, made those dispositions & move
ments, which would have secured to one
part of his army, the cooperation and
support of the other
"Let US not, however, defraud the
enc my Of the praise which is due to him.
The dispositions and arrangements OF
their general have been prompt, skilful,
and consecutive. The valor and steadi.
ness OF his troops have been praisewor.
thy. Yet do not forget that 1t Is to the
benaGt of your example they owe their
present military character; < that When
ever the relative duties of a French se-
neral and his troops have been ably tut
filled, their enemies have commonly
had no other resource than flight.
"Soldiers IL partake ofyour chagrin
YOUR grief, YOUR indignation | know
that the blame of the present situation OF
the army is imputabIe to others be the
merit Of repairing it yours. l have borne
testimony to the emperor of your brave.
~ and zeal His instructions are to
drive the enemy from those lofty heights
which enable him proudly to survey oul
fertile valIles, and chase them across the
Ebro.
cit is on the Spanish soil that your
tents must next be pitched, and from
thence your resources drawn. No diff.
fculties can be insurmountable to your
valsr and devotion. Let us, then, exer,
| ourselves with mutual ardor /; and he as.
surcd, that nothing Can give greater fe-
licity to the paernal heart Of the empe-
ror, than the knowledge Of the triumphs
of his army-of its increasing glory--oi
its having rendered itself worthy OF him.
and of our dear country.
Extensive but combined movements
for tn relief ofthe tortresses are upon the
eve of taking place, They will be COM
pleted in few days. Let the account
Of our success be dated from Nittoria--
and the birth of his imperial majesty be
celebrated in that city : SO shall we rem.
der memorable an epoch dcservedly
dear to all Frenchmcn
(Signed)
SOULT, Duke Of Dalmatia
Lieut.. de pEmpereur."
July ID, 1873.