The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-05-21
March 70
FOREIGN.
From The London Gazette.

From the London Gazette.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Feb IS.
The right honorable Frederick Robinson
arrived at this Office with dispatches from
sir Charles Stewart, dated February IL,
covering the following reports.
MILITARY REPORT FROM COL. lowe
DATED,
II. O.. army Of SlaSia, ChdlonS, Ism Fe6.
1914.
SIR-Field marshal Butcher has had 70
sustain another and most obstinate contest
against superior force of the enemy, an
der the command of Bonaparte in person.
After having driven marshal Marin mt from
the position OF Eutogcs on the 18th, he there
learned that Bonaparte had marched 9Th
nj, guards on the preceding day to Chateau
lhierry general d'Yorck and baron Sack
en- having previously quilted that town and
retired behind the Marne. Yesterday morn
ing marshal Marmont was announced TO De
N retreat tror! the village Of Promentiers !;
field Marshal Butcher, who had 6iuouaek ed
the night preceding at Cnampaubert, re-
s,lved on pursuing him. He had under his
orders oniy the corps Of gen. Kleist and &c
neral Ka psiweitz's DIVISION Of general count
dangerous corps. The enemy retired un.
Ill he came near the village Of janvilliers,
where considerable body # cavalry was
observed to be collected. In the Srdor Of
pursuit, six guns which had been carried
forward, were suddenly rushed upon and
seized by them. The Prussian cavalry,
under general Zeiten and col. Butcher, son
OF the field marshal, Immediately charged
and retook them. Several prisoners fell IN
to his hands, and from them it was lear
ned that Bonapar,e was on the ground,
having just arrived with the whole Of his
guards, and large body of cavalry. They
had made forced march during the night
from Chateau ThiCrry.
The infantry OF field marshal Butcher W as
at this tine advancing in columns of battali
ons on the open grounds on each side of the
chausee leading through the village. The
cavalry, which was observed to be increa-
sing, suddenly came forward in large
mass, broke through the cavalry of the ad-
vanced guard, divided Itself, and attacked
With the greatest fury, the columns % in
fsotry on the plain. The movement was
observed. The columns formed into
ouares, which remained firm on their
rround and commenced heavy ERE
from their front end rear. In large field
on the right of the village, six squares were
at acked at the same time ; ALI succeeded
in repelling the enemy, the cavalry OF the
advanced guard in the mean time retiring
in the intervals, forming in the rear and
a vancing again to charge the enemy's ca
der, and compelled to retire from the des
truc'ye fire of ths squares. The eneny's
oumbers, however, increased, and large
b"dies OF cavalry were seen to be moving
round on either faux Two battalions cf
fantry of TIE advanced guard, which had
enterel the village. could no. form in time
AID suffered Considerably. Field marshal
Is ucher. who had little cavalry with him,
resolved on Withdrawing his force from a
p 'sition where such an unequal Contest
mus be wsged.
The infantry we're directed to retire In
columns and squares. with artillery in the
Interval, covered in the TANKS and rear by
skirmishers aud cavalry. The enemy lost
no time in making the boldest and most di
rect attacks. The country through which
the line of retreat lay, was generally open
without enclosure, but wish small woods and
copses, which enabled the enemy's cavalry
to cOncea! its movements. The infantry
avoided in general entaEgling themselves in
them, add were thus the better enabled t.
preserve their perfect formation. and hold
the enemy in great respect. From the vii
laRe OF Janviliiers to about half way between
Champaubert and Etone, distance of near
ly four leagues, it was one inCessant retiring
COMBAT, nos single Column or square of
infantry that was not either charged by or
exposed to the FIRE of the enemy, while
Constant fire vas kept up by them without.
any interruption ct their march, firing and
loading as they moved on, and still preser-
wing the most perfect order. Il frequently
Happened that the enemy's cavalry were
iDtermixed with the squares, and always i'm
such case, compelled to retire with great
loss. Various charges were attempted
without effect. 1T sunset it was obser
ved that the corps g cavalry whi-h had
been seen To take a circuit rouad the tanks,
had thrown themselves into the line of our
retreat, about haf way between Champau
bert and E'Oges, and formed themselves in
70 a solid mass on the chaussee aud on each
side Dr It, wish the evident determination to
bar the passage At this moment field
marshal B'ucher found himself surrounded
o. cry SIDE. His decision vas as prompt
as the resolution determined to execute it
e. Continue his march, and break through
the obstacle opposed 70 il.
Inc columns and squares sssailed now
on every side moved on in the most hrm
and perfect order. The artillery opened a
heavy fr~ On tha cavalry that had planted
itself on the cEaussee, which wa succeeded
bv vOihes o! musketry from the advanced CO.
iumns Of infantry. The en,my's cavalry
could not stand against such dttermiaation.
they we're forced 10 quit the chaussee, and
leave fhv. DagsaVpc M, Zach side g.f e 800.