The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-16

these last positions should be carried, toI
put in motion his whole army in this direc-
ton, to turn it upon Leipsic as hipot,
pass the left ofthe Elster, and take the ene-
my in the rear but at 10 o'clock, the enc
my's army debouched towards Kaia in seve-
raj deep columns the horison was oSscur-
ed by their movements
The enemy presented mass Of forces
(which appeared immense; the emperor
Immediately made his disposition.
The Vicc-Roy received orders to march
upon the left of the prince OF Moskwa, but
it took him three hours to execute this
movemcnt-The prince Of Moskwa, with
his FIVE divisions, sustained the action,
which In half an hour became terrible
| His majesty marched himself at the head
of the guards, behind the centre of tho ar.
my, supporting the prince Of Moskwa's
right. The duke of Raeusd, with his three
| divisions, occupied the extreme Of the
right.
General Bertrand received orders to de-
bouche upon the rear of the enemy's army,
at the instant the line should be actively
! engaged.
Fortune was pleased 10 crown with the
most brilliant success all these dispositions
1.-The enemy, who appeared certain OF
success IN his enterprise. marched in or
| der TO ovcrwhelm our right and to gain the
yoad of Wcisscnfelds Gen. Compans,
| ield officer of the first merit, at the head
of the first division of the duke of Ragusa,
stopped him short.
| The regiment of marines sustained Sc
veral charges with sang .froid, and cover
ed the field Of battle with the enemy's light
cavalry. But the greatest efforts Of the In
4 4
centre. Four of the prince of Moskwa's
FIVE divisions were already engaged The
village OF Kaia was taken and ie-taken Sc
veral times. 1t remained in the enemy's
| hands {: when count I.obau ordered gene
raj Ricard to retake it it was retaken.
| The battle included line OF two leagues
covered with fire, rockets and whirlWinds
OF dust. The prince Of Moskwa, general
Souham, and gen. Girard were ever,
! where present, and faced every thing. AL
! though wounded by several balls, general
| Girard insisted upon remaining on the
field of battle. He declared it to be his
wish to die, commanding and directing his
| troops, since the moment was arrived Tor
every Frenchman possessed OF a manly soul.
/ to conquer or perish.
In the mean time began to be perceived
/
gen. Bertrand's corps. At the same mo-
ment the Vice Roy, entered in time upon
the left, and the Duke Of Tarentum (Mac
/ donald) attacked the reserve of the enemy,
and overwhelmed the village upon which
the enemy had rested his right At the
| same time the enemy redoubed his efforts
/ against the centre; the village Of Kaia was
again carried some battalions dispersed (:
but these brave young men, in sight of the
| emperor, rallied shouting long Hpe tie en-
hrror.
His majesty Judged that the critical mo-
meni, which decides the gain or loss of
battles, had arrived: not a moment was to
nc lost. The emperor ordered the Duke
of Tre,iso (MortieD to march with is
battalions of the younger guards towards
The village of Kaia, to overthrow the enemy
| and rctake the village.
AT the same time his majesty ordered
his aid-dc-camp, gen. Oronet, an artillery
officer OF the greatest distinction, to form
battery of 80 pieces of cannon, TO place
1t in the rear of the elder guards, which
| was disposed in eehelon, like four redoubts.
to support The centre, all our cavalry being
| ranged behind in order of battle.
The gems. DulauIy, Dronet and De-
yaux gallopped off with their 80 pieces, ar
ranged together in one groupe. The fire
became frigh,ful. The enemy gave away on
every side. The Duke of Treviso carried
thc'vfllage ofKaia without striking n blow,
over threw the enemy, and continued to adj
vance forward, beating the charge. The
encmy's cavalry, Infantry and artillery, ALI
commenced their retreat.
Gen. Bonuc, commanding one Of the di-