Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-10-21

which they assailed; whilst the height OF the
ACTIVITY, the small line of volunteers displaying
the greatest courage and the most
sublime generosity
THE invade. 8, abandoned upon the rocks, unable
either to extend themselves escape, and persua-
ded that ,ce, initiating tue orders which they had
received, would refuse them quarter, were driven TO
exasper. tonthe bodest fired To the top OF the bar
rer, and shortly the wounded sheltered themselves
amongst the rocks which, the gradually inva-
ding the tide was coming in-aud the less intrepid
concealed themselves in the caves.
"The horrible condition of these unfortunate men, |
dragged hilher, for the most part, by the violence
and tyranny of the usurper, moved the hearts OF
the generous volunteers and seeing IN their conquer
ed foes band OF unhappy victims they called out To
them from the top of the scarp not to ireto surrn
der; that they had nothing to fear unarmcd. They
then fastened ropes and threw them down the scarp;
others taking off their shoes, and descending in this
manner down the rocks, gave their hands and drew
their enemies from the abyss. who at length, threw
down their All this done by brave
fellows who would not suffer themselves Ia be per-
turbated either by the fire of the and musket
ry, or the cannster-shot poured upon them from
brig, and 1ducting their prisoners thus made they
flew agnin to their arms, binding ND than
one wound with their handkerchiefs, which had
received.
AS soon as the central column entered the field of
battle ordered two companies of the 5th battalion
OF Cacadorcs TO support the Volunteers the left;
and extended the rest of the force along the right
side of the bay, against which the enemy dispos
ing his second attack. In effect, scarcely we're my
dispositions taken, when, under shelter OF the man of
war and frigatcs, second column was embarked
ana inc launches appearing III succession threatened
our righ but the first fire Of field artilley from
the battery, under command of Captain viorinho
having upset The first launch and the next disoYdercd
their whole line The launches drew back and covered
themselves under the Inc of battle shps willis, the
cries of victory rcsoundcd along our whole line.
I The rest of my artillery and the morars now mr.
rived having been delayed by the difficulties Of the
mad ana ne first grenade they threw threatened tn,
squadron with danger. II was however, now
night, the tide was full and The nfwar which at
low water had touched ground. foated apain; the
calm which prevailed during the evening was succeed
cd by light breeze. Then the cor,maudCr's shin
seeing the attack our right frustrated cDn,nlotcv
abandoned the flower Of his troops. which had made
the attack on loft made signals to tho rest of the
squadron, and the ships cutting their cables in haste
sailed ont Of the bay and put to sea. which thsy
would NOT all have effected if time Ind allowed mo
20 bring tn the batteries of Praya greater number
OF pieces ct larger calihre, if the mortars had
reached us sooner.
"fhe encrny lost THE d,- rho whole of tho force
with which they attached our left, which amount cd
according 10 INV observation and the oath of the pr-
soners, TO from 800 To 1000 men. of whom 3gs wore
made prisoners end the killed for the most part
upon the rocks and drowned as appears by the num-
her Of dead bodies already cast ashore.
"Thcy lost several officers AMONGST whom vcrc
Lieutenant Colonel Azcredo second in command of
thc expedition and Commando of the first BRIGADE
and MAYOR d. Gil Eanes dc Costa. The former of
these officers, MORALLY wounded witness of our
complete victory but expired few moments afier
manifestng his surprise at the generosity with which
he saw his comrades treated. and by which he him |
self was succoured The enemy also abandoned the |,
iour gun boats with which they had protected the
landing The loss sustained by the second column
must have been very considerable, from the impossi-
olity OF saving the people of the launches upset and
destroyed Finally, lcnrnt from the prisoners that
many had been wounded on board ship, and among
others, Lieut. Col. Doutcl Commandant of the sec,
ond brigade, who wounded by splinter on board
the man-of-war Pieces ofthc broken launches, some
barges abandoned, and great number of bodies have
DcCn ashore sea no IF . ho
bay of Villa de Praya, and the adjacent ones.
our loss consists OF nine men killed. including
officers, and % wounded. your Excellency will sec
cIrcumstantially III the list enclose.
"Such is, most illustrous and excellent Sir, to us
the happy and ranscendant result which the one
mics of her Malestys throne have brought their first
and probably their last, attempt against this bulwark
OF fidelity All the garrison of this island, officers
and soldiers of all ranks and degrees conducted thon
selves, according to the position they in, as be-
came the defenders of our m st holy and generous
cause. The principal glory of this day, however, be-
longs to the corps of volunteers of her Majesty the
Queen Maria the Sccond the correct narration of
their behaviour which have just submitted to your
Excelency their best praise, and hen such facts
proclaim the glory Of corp, every other expression
becomes weak, and inferior tn their merit.
Lieut.. ID. Antonio dc Mello. my Adjutant, whom
l send to your Excellcncy, and recommend TO the
benevolent consideration Of her Majesty, will have
tho honor TO lay at the feet Of that august Lady the
protcsatons of love and submission of this garrison
end will inform your Excellency of particulars which
A.
tive.
"Moy God preserve your ExcclIcncy.
! (Sgnedl CONDE DE VILLA FLOR"
ITO his EXcellcncy the Marquis de Pamela
Extrac, Of another dispatch from Count villa Flor
dated Aug &c, and addressed TO the Marquis dc Pal
uella:-
81 do not think second attack Mt MI probable;
ls because the enemy had lost nearly half his force
and that part oft which he placed his chief rei-
ance.
IDLY Because his principal officers arc either kill
Cd or wounded and 3dy. because his ships have re-
celved considerable damage. However am ready
to receive him at oil points; and can assure your
bxceliency that can do so with almost certainty
Of victory. CONDE DE- VILLA FLOR {"
Force Of the Miguclite Squadron under tho Flag
OF Vice Admiral Prego and Major. Goncrpl Ro-a,2oi
Line Of hafflc shin ~ Toap Vf.. guns, Fripafes
D"na 81 PeroIa 10; Amazima 81; Corvette Urania
~; Pnncezn Real az Government TRANSPORTS GaIo-
Yea "; Oresfcs IL; Mara Cardoza 70; Princeza do
Bora 10 briggs Gloria 10; Infanto D. Sebastian
a Frcze DC Maio IL; Proyidencia 12-totsl 344
CUR. "