Star. — 1813-07-24 (London, England)

YEN PAPER:.  PARIS, JULY 16. LETTER FRO* THE MIKE OY AI.III2PERA TO THE MINIS. TER AT WAR. 4 • _ _ " Valencia, June 90.  _ MoNstswe're Duc—By my Reports of the 21st and 25th, I had the honour of informing your Extellericrof the raising of the siege of Tarragona, the departure of the English fleet, its appearance on the ~east of Valencia, and of the return of the troops I had conducted into Catalonia. • On the 24th, Masnier's division and Argremont's brigade entered Valencia, in fine condition ; the inhabitants could not persuade themselves these troops could have cleared with so much rapidity so great a space. ,4 I conceived the project of taking advantage of the absence of the English corps to attack the Duke dcl Parque, to manceuvre and obtain • over him, if possible, an advantage which would weaken in opinion and reality a corps tolerably well organised and proud of its former Chief, Ballasteros. 44 Notwithstanding all the diligence I used I could not act till the morning of the 26th, The enemy an .ticipated me, left his entrenched positions on the heights, in the neighbourhood of the Xucar, evacuated St. Philippe, and only preierved an advanEed guard upon. the Col de 011ena. Informed of the enemy's retreat, I ordered Generals Habert and Harispe's divisions to pursue him, and myself marched to St. Philippe three companies of the 14th, and four chosen companies of the 44th, attacked the enemy at 'the Col de 011ena. The defence was brisk, reserves Chaviog hastened to assist them ; but Major Durand 'put an end to the battle, by ordering the four corn. panics he commanded to cease firing ; he waited •the enemy, and Charged him impetuously with the bayonet ; the affair was murderous, more than 150 of the Spaniards were killed or wounded. We bad four killed, and fifty wounded; thirty soldiers and two Officers remained in our power. From that time the enemy continued his retreat to the camp at Cas. Cella, of which I am assured by 25 or SO deserters, who arrived at my camp during the night. r have placed two divisions ; one at Fort Philippe, the other on the heights, upon the royal road, not finding it convenient to follow them further. They occupy positions much more prudent than those Oche banks of the Xucar, and are ready to mutually assist each other; " As soon as I was informed of the retreat of the Duke del Parejue's carps, I determined upon driving away from Requena Elio's corps; who, with 8000 infantryxl2oo horse, and four pieces of cannon, threatened ,Valencia f whilst that Villacampa, upon the lett bank ortheCuadislaviar, approached the capital. On the 25th I directed General Musnier to march upon Villacampa at Pedralva • he was not expected. I made him repass the Guadalaviar on the 26th and 27th • he marched with nine battalions, 600 horse; and four cannon, upon Requena, to attack Elio ; on his arrival, our hussars •drove the enemy's cavalry beyond the town. The Castle was occupied by a Spanish garrison. General Musnier, after having. thrown some shells into it, summoned the Commandant, who requested till six in the evening, per. suaded that General Elio would give battle to deli.; ver him, which was not confirmed.; he surrendered the same day, with 1.54 soldiers, and three officers. We found in the fort sOme thousands of English cartridges, grenades, Etc.' The following day, the 28th, General Musnier marched upon Utiel ; the enemy presented 900 horse, which covered Elio's re. treat, and which constantly avoided every offer of 6.oting. " I am informed the English Expedition se-entered Alicault on the 24th in disorder ; how great the consteraation in that town is, your Excellency may judge, by, she declaration of the Captain of a Moorish vessel which arrived in Valencia two days ago."