Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-05-21

e~'S LUG FRENCH omS'ai account on tuesday
last. 1t will be remembered that Bonapartc
claimed 10 have taken in this battle 10000
prisoners, III pieces ofcannon, and 10 stand OF
colours
8ost. D. Adv.
From fhe London Gazette
FoREIcS OFFICE, Feb. 26.
The Right Honorable Frederick Robinson
arrived at this Office with dispatches from Sir
Charles Stewart. dated Feb. 10, covering the
following reports.
Military Repo,s from Coz. Love, dated Head
13I4 -
SIR,
Field Marshal Blucher has had to sustain
another and most obstinate contest against
superior force of the enemy, under the COM
mand OF Bonaparte in person.-After having
driven Marshal Marmont from the position Of
Etoges on the 18th, he there learnt that Bong
tParts had marched with his guards on the
preceding day to Chateau Thierry General
DYorck and Genera Baron Sacken having pre-.
viously quilted that town and retired behind
the Marine Yesterday morning Marshal Mar.
mont was announced to be in retreat from the
village of Fromentiers, Field Marshal Butcher,
who had biyouacked the night preceding at
Champaubert, resolved on pursuing him.--tIe
had under his orders only the corps of General
Kiiest and General Kaphweitz's division of
General Count dangerous corps. The enemy
retired until he came near the village of jan
villiers, where . considerable body of cavalry
was observed to be collected. In the ardour
OF pursuits siAepu,s which had been carried
forwards were suddenly rushed upon & seized
oy them--Ihe Prussian cavalry, uSder Gener.l
al zietim ma Col. Butcher, son of the Field
Marshal, immediately charged & re.took them
-Seseral prisoners fell INTO their hands, and
from them it was learnt that Bonaparte was on
the ground, having just arrived with the whole
OF his guards and large body of cavalry
Fhey had made forced march during the
night from Chateau rhierry.
The infantry of Field Marshal Butcher
was at this time advancing IN columns of
battlions on the open grounds on each side
OF the chausee leading through the village
The cavalry, which was observed to be iacreas-
ing, suddenly came forward in large mass.
broke through the cavalry of the advanced
guard, divided itself, and attacked with the
greatest fury, the columns of infantry on the
plain. The movement was observed. The CO.
lumns formed into squares which RENAME firm
on the ground, and commenced heavy fire
from their front tanks, and rear. In a LARGE
fie'd on the right of the village SIX squares
were attacked AT the same Tins all succeeded
IN rcpeihng the enemy, the cavalry of the
advanced guard, IN the meantime retiring in
the intervals, forming in the rear, and advan
cling again to charge the enemy's cavalry.
after It had been thrown into disorder, and
compelled to retire from he destructive fire of
of the squares. The enemy's numbers, howey.
er, increased, and large bodies of cavalry
were seen to bemoving round on either flank
Two battalions OF infantry OF the advanced
guard, which had entered the village. could
not form in time, and suffered considerably.
Field Marshal Butcher, who had little cavalry
with him, resolved on withdrawing his force
from position where such an unequal contest
must be waged.
The Infantry were directed to retire in
Columns d squares, with artillery in the in.
tervai, covered in the TANKS and rear by
sSlrmishers and cavalry. The en- envy lost
no time IN making the boldest and most di.
rect attacks. Tils country through which
ene iihe OF retreat lay, was generally open,
without enclosure, bat with small woods and
copses, which enabled the enemy's cavaIrv
to conceal is movements. The infantry a.
voided in general changing themselves in
them, and were thus the better enabled to
preserve their perfect formation, and hold
the enemy an greater respect. From the vii.
lage OF Janviliiers to about half way between
Champaubert and Etoges, distance of
nearly tour leagues, it was one incessant ra,
tiring comoat. not q single column or
square OF infantry that was not either char.
ged by or exposed to the FIRE of the enemy.
whilst constant FIRE was kept ND by them
without any interruption of their march. & /.
ring and loading as they moved on, and still
preserving the most perfect order. It FIRE
quentiy happened that the enemy's cavalry
were lntermixed with the squares and al.
ways, IN such case, compelled to retire with
great loss. Various charges were attempt
ed without any effect. Al sunset. it was
observed, that corpsof cavalry which had
oeen seen to take circuit round the tanks
had thrown Themselves into the line of our
retreat, above half way between Champau.
bert, and Etoges, and formed themselves in-
70 soiid mass on the Chausee on each side
oil II, with the evident determination TO bar
the passage. At this moment Field Mar
snai Butcher found himself surrounded on
every side. His decision was as prompt as
the resolution, determined to execute il. to
continue his march, and break through the
obstacle opposed to it.
ihe Columns and squares assailed now
On every side, moved on in the most firm
and perfect order. The artillery opened a
heavy hre on the cavalry that had planted
itseii on the chaussee, which was succeeded
ny voliies OF musketry from the advancing
columns OF infantry. The enemy's cayalrv
cpuid not stand against such deierm ina ton.
ihey were forced TO quit the chaussee, and
'eaVs the passages on each side Of il open.
ana 70 limit their farther attacks solely TO
thelr Hanks and rear. The columns and
squares on the Hanks and. rear were equal,
assaiied, and not single one, during the
"noie Oh the time, was broken, or lost its
ORDER AS night came on, the infantry at.
taCks succee ded tn thoes of rho c.,,aIy