Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-12-21
FORE
Hard Fighting in PORTUGAL.

Hard Fighting in Portugal.
mo following is an extract of a letter dated
Oporto, Oct. 90 written by Portuguese officer in
tho army of the Queen.
81 pass over the circumstances common to eve
ry combat, but must inform you that, since our
bloody and unfortunate assault Of the Castle of
Burgos, 1912, never saw, not even at TouIonse
an assault so fierce and obstinate as the storming
OF the Migue'ltes against the Convent dc Sierra the
i4th OF Oct. Six thousand Miguctes, commanded
by the Generals Jordao and Abreau-the first an
Ignorant but brave soldier the second an intelligent
ohcer, great faTorite of Lord Beresford in the
fenlnsular war-were repulsed with the greatest
gailantry by Major Bravo, ayoung command
ing the fortress.
Col. Peixotc leading his column was killed bv
cannon ball. near the first palisadc Abreau is
wounded, and about 1000 Migueltes fell on the
spot. The enemy fought bravely, but ignorantlya
Tor our batteries were not senced, nor our breast
works damaged, when he marched against u.s. Our
loss is loss than hundred men. This would have
been the moment for crossing the Douro and crush
ing tho mlguetes at Villa Nova; but while the
Heneral-ln-Chief consults the Emperor tho oppor
tunlty is no more. This is our fate since our land
ing.
We are preparing to receive tho enemy on the
1o'h'rD m'guePs birth day; his troops are two
Gays hence, concentrating themselves at yallon
go on the right, and at Feira OH the left of The
Douro. am confident that, though Don Miguel be
present, as the inequalities expect wewill renuIse
tneH' but without reinforcement of 1000, and
GENERAL accustomed to maDeuvre boldly, fear we
VIII not be able to take tho field-and Portugal
10 at bisbon.-The two brothers Sarrones fell al
tho same hme' in the same battery, fighting &c
nerousy Tor Donna Maria, while the third brother
is on4he opposite side fighting for Don Miguel
NAVAL BATTLE.
Despatch from Admiral Sartorus to the Minister
OF Marine, on board the frigato Donna Maria,
belonging to the squadron of her most faithful
Majesty, the 18th day of October, 1892 forty
miles to the west of the Island of Bayonno:-
Most llustrious and most Excellent Sir,--Ha
wing yesterday at six o'clock in the morning obser-
Ved the squadron OF the enomy, composed, 40 in nv
last despatch | intimated, of a ship of the linz
afrigate, two corvettes, and two briggs, standing
out OF VIgo Bay, l Immediately raised anchor
near the Island of Bayonne, in order to come up
to the enemy; determined, notwithstanding the
great superiority of his force TO bring him to a pe
neral battle, in the certain hope that at least I
should be able to lniure his large ships to such a
degree that theyw ould not be for some months fit for
public service. Consequently, in my plan attack
placed my small vessels i'm such way that I
might remain free for attacking with tho two fri
gates the enemy's ship Of the line, whilst at the
same time, the small corvettes might engage
the attention of the frigate Of tho rebels
But in the act of wearing and opening fire. abont
ono o'clock this day, the wind which had boon
blowing brisky, suddenly dropped, SO that few of
the vessels could take up their intended positions
OF afford me that assistance which have no doubt
they most anIiousy wished. The result of this
was, that the enemy's fre-cOnsisting at that time
OF representatives, directed against the frgates and
the brig Twenty third of july but more particu-
laTly against the flag ship and the Portuguese cor
vette The fire returned with nvinciblo spirit
by tho officers and crew for four hours and half
MY attention then called to the rigging on the
iarooard side, which had been injured took care
TO wear round and attacked from the starboard
quarter. This movement / accompanied with a
well directed fire upon the eDemy's frigate and had
scarcely carried it into execution when the enemy
set FAIL for the south. This afforded me sufficient
time to repair the damage done TO the rigging, and
trust that to day, by four in the afternoon, shall
DO IN condition to pursue the onemy without loss
| oil Tune, and compel him to another battle
1t is impossible to find terms sufficiently express
'lye OF the sang fyoid, bravery, and intrepidity
OF all the officers, and sailors, and soldiers who
nave been engaged in this unequal conflict, especi
ally the services which were afforded mo by 'the
captain Of 'The Admiral both as 10 experience
ana bravery, during the engagement, as well the
SIKH and activity which he has manifested in the
proceedings since. take the liberty Of recon-
mending him to the high consideration Of his
imperial Majesty he much merits it jointly with
Captains Crosbie and Morgell, well as the head
OF my staff, Captain Boyd, and Lie0t. Col. viii.
l'ams, commanding the soldiers of tho garrison by
whose aid, vigilance and activity, in their differ
cnt stations, cannot enough express how much
am debtor throughout the action.
X. J. SiEroRrus, Vice admiral