column which marched from the Zuyper Slays, to turn to the right, and falling into the road in the rear of major-general D'Effen's corps, to join fuch part of major-general Coote's as moved along that road to proceed in support of the Ruffian column, covering its right upon the fand-hills, and from them ultimately to combine with that column in its attack upon Bergen; for which purpose these two brigades were to extend as much as poffible to the right, and endeavour to connect themselves with the right column. Major-general Burrard's brigade was ordered to move from Tutenhoorn and Krabendam, upon the left of the Alkmaar canal, to combine, with the corps under major-general Sedmoratzky, its attack from Schoreldam, which was farther fupported by feven gun-boats moving along the above canal. Major-general Burrard was to communicate upon his left with the fourth column under lieutenant-general fir James Pulteney, confifting of major-general his highnefs prince William's brigade, major-general Manners's ditto, major-general Don's ditto, two fquadrons of the 18th light dragoons, and two battalions of Ruffians. This column covered the whole of the left of our pofition to the Zuyder Zee, and was deftined to threaten the enemy's right, and to take advantage of every favourable circumftance that fhould offer. Proportions of artillery of referve were attached to each column, and to the Ruffian column about 200 Coffacs and huffars. The force of the enemy was computed at 25,000 men, much the greater proportion of which were French. The ftate of the tide determined the march of the right column, which proceeded

from Petten at half paft fix o'clock in the morning. Its advanced guard composed of the reserve under colonel McDonald, viz. Ift battalion of grenadiers of the line, 1ft . battalion of light infantry ditto, 23d regiment of infantry, and 55th ditto, drove the enemy from Campe and from the fand-hills above that village, and continued its march upon the ridge of thofe hills, inclining a little to the left. Major-general Coote's brigade, which next followed, turned to its left at Campe, and advancing as far as the extremity of the Slaper Dyke and the village of Groete, cleared the road for the Ruffian column under majorgeneral D'Effen. Part of this brigade, in connection with colonel M'Donald's corps, drove the enemy from the fand-hills to the right and front of the Ruffian column, and continued moving forward upon the fand-hills, a little in advance of the Ruffian troops. Major-general Sedmoratzky's corps had marched from the Zuyper Sluys as foon as the enemy had abandoned Groete, and advanced across the plain between the Alkmaar canal and the road by which major-general D'Effen moved, whofe left he joined, whilft his own left was protected by the fire of the gun-boats and the advance of majorgeneral Burrard's corps. The enemy, who had gradually retired from Schorel, were now formed in confiderable force from Schorel to Schoreldam, and kept up a very warm fire from the cannon which they had pofted at different points of their line. Major-general lord Chatham's brigade moved in the rear of majorgeneral Sedmoratzky's corps, clofe behind which it was formed in the plain. The column under majorgeneral D'Effen proceeded along

and made a spirited attack to regain the heights on the poft of the 85th, but were driven back with lofs, and that regiment gallantly maintained their fituation during the reft of the day against other attempts of the enemy. A large body of the enemy having been feen moving to their left, three battalions of major-genefal Coote's brigade were marched beyond the right of lord Chatham's, to fupport him, and extend the line. The 27th regiment, pofted at the termination of another avenue from Bergen, were attacked by a confiderable body iffuing from the woods: the regiment having, however, by a fpirited charge, driven the enemy into the wood, no farther attempt was made by them from that time (about half past three P. M.) to diflodge lieutenant-general Dundas's

corps.

The extenfion of his line had now brought its right very near to the referve under colonel M'Donald, who had been advancing rapidly, notwithstanding the confiderable refiftance he had experienced, and was now warmly engaged with the body of the enemy, lining a fandhill ridge, which croffes the downs in a perpendicular direction, and which body probably had moved from Bergen and Egmont-op-te Hooff; with the view of turning lieutenant-geheral Dundas's right flank. Lieutenant-general Dundas therefore fent down the 29th regiment on the left of colonel M'Donald, close to the road leading from Bergen to Egmont; and although the enemy's pofition appeared fteep and formi dable, a general and rapid attack was made: The advance of the 29th regiment was the fignal for the whole on the right of it to move forward brifkly, which was done with VOL. XLI.

fuch fpirit, that they were foon at the bottom of the enemy's position; and afcending the hill, without ftopping, they pursued their advantage with fuch vigour as to drive the enemy totally from the fand-hills. This was the laft event which took place on the fide of Bergen; and, as the clofe of the day was faft approaching, colonel M'Donald, with two battalions, was fent to the fupport of general fir Ralph Abercrombie. The heights of the fand-hills, furrounding Bergen for about three miles, remained crowned and poffeffed by eleven British battalions.

General fir Ralph Abercrombie had marched, according to the dif pofition, along the beach, with major-general D'Oyley's, major-general Moore's, and major-general lord Cavan's brigades, the cavalry and horfe-artillery (the referve, under M'Donald, not having been able, owing to the great extent of the fand-hills, to rejoin him, after turning to the left at Campe). The main body of fir Ralph Abercrombie's column had proceeded with out meeting with much refiftance in the early part of the day, but was nevertheless much inconvenienced, and his troops haraffed, by the neceffity of detaching continually into the fand-hills to his left, to cover that flank against the troops whom the enemy had placed in the fandhills. The admirable difpofition, however, which he made of his troops, and their determined fpirit and gallantry, enabled him to arrive within a mile of Egmont. Here he was feriously oppofed by a very confiderable corps of French infantry, which occupied Egmont-op-Zee and the high fand-hills in its front, and who had formed a very strong corps of cavalry and artillery to their

I

་

left

left upon the beach. The engagement was maintained, during feveral hours, with the greatest obftinacy; and in no inftance were the abilities of a commander, or the heroic perfeverence of troops in fo difficult and trying a fituation, more highly confpicuous. Animated by the example of general fir Ralph Abercrombie, and the general and other officers under him, the troops fuftained every effort made upon them by an enemy then fuperior in number, and much favoured by the ftrength of his pofition. Late in the evening, the enemy's cavalry having been defeated in an attempt which they made upon the British horfe artillery on the beach, and having been charged by the cavalry, under colonel lord Paget, was driven, with confiderable lofs, nearly to Egmont-op-Zce: his efforts then relaxed confiderably upon the right; and general fir Ralph Abercrombie having foon after been joined by the reinforcements under colonel M'Donald, took poft upon the fand-hills and the beach, within a very fhort diftance of Egmont-op-Zee, where the troops lay upon their arms during the night. Lieutenant-general fir James Pulteney had affembled the greater part of his corps in front of Drixhoorn, whence he threatened an attack on Oudt Carfpel, in and near which was placed the principal force of the enemy's right, and could at the fame time have fupported any part of the line which might be attempted. Lieutenant-general fir James Pulteney, feconded by the active exertions of the general of ficers and troops under his command, executed, with his ufual ability, that part of the difpofition with which he was intrufted, and effectually prevented the enemy

from fending any detachments to his left.

On the 3d, at daybreak, the enemy evacuated their ftrongly fortified pofts at Oudt Carfpel and the Lange Dyke, retiring upon Saint Pancras and Alkmaar: the above pofts were very foon after occupied by lieutenant-general fir James Pul- · teney.

The enemy ftill continued in the woods and town of Bergen, and appeared with cannon, and in fome force, on that fide of it next to the Koe Dyke. They had, however, withdrawn the greater part of their force, during the night, and before mid-day the village was taken poffeffion of by the 85th regiment. About one, general fir Ralph Abercrombie entered Egmont-op-Zee, and in the evening the Ruffians, under major-general D'Effen, advanced from the ground, where (as I have already ftated) they had halted the preceding day, to Egmont-op-te-Hooff. Major-general Burrard, who, when the enemy retired from Bergen, had advanced to Koe Dyke, was ordered in the evening to occupy, with a detachment from his brigade, the town of Alkmaar, which had been abandoned by the enemy, and had been entered nearly at the fame time by patroles from his and lieutenantgeneral fir James Pulteney's corps. The exhaufted ftate of the troops, from the almoft unparalleled difficulties and fatigues which they had to encounter, prevented me from taking that advantage of the enemy's retreat to Beverwyck and Wyck-op-Zee, which, in any other country, and under any other circumftances, would have been the confequences of the operations of the army upon the 2d.

Of

Of the lofs fuftained by the enemy, the reports are fo various, that I cannot venture to fay any thing decifive; but, from all circumftances, I have reason to think it must have exceeded 4000 men. Seven pieces of cannon, and a great proportion of tumbrils, were taken. The prifoners having been immediately fent to the Helder, I cannot at prefent give any statement of their number, but I do not believe it exceeds a few hundred men.

Under Divine Providence this fignal victory, obtained over the enemy, is to be attributed to the animating and perfevering exertions which have at all times been the characteristics of the British foldier, and which on no occafion were ever more eminently difplayed; nor has it often fallen to the lot of any general to have fuch juft caufe of acknowledgement for the diftinguifhed fupport he that day experienced from the officers under his command.

I cannot, in fufficient terms, exprefs the obligations I owe to general fir Ralph Abercrombie, and lieutenant-general Dundas, for the able manner in which they conducted their respective columns, whofe fuccefs is in no small degree to be attributed to their perfonal exertions and example. The former had two horfes fhot under him.

I must also ftate my warm acknowledgements to lieutenant-general Hulfe, major-generals lord Chatham, Coote, D'Oyley, Burrard, and Moore, for their fpirited efforts upon this occafion, and the abilities which they fhewed in the conduct of their refpective brigades. The latter, by his ability and perfonal exertion, very materially con

tributed to the fuccefs of his column; and although feverely wounded through the thigh, continued in action for nearly two hours, until a fecond wound in the face obliged him to quit the field. Much praise is due to major-general Hutchinson, for the manner in which he led the 5th, or lord Cavan's brigade; and I hope it will not be confidered as an improper intrufion, if I take this occafion to exprefs my fincere regret that an unfortunate blow from a horfe, in going into action, by fracturing his leg, fhould have deprived me of his lordship's fervices. Colonel M'Donald diftinguished himself by his ufual spirit and ability in the command of the referve, as did lord Paget, who commanded the cavalry upon the beach, and whofe exertions are deferving of every praife. Nor muft I omit expreffing my thanks to lieutenantcolonels Whitworth and Smyth, who commanded the artillery of referve, and to major Judfon, of the horfe-artillery. the horse-artillery. The detach ment of feamen, under the command of captains Goddard and Jurcoing, were, upon this, as upon a former occafion, of the most effential fervice, in the direction of the gun-boats. The conduct of majorgeneral Knox, who was attached to the column of Ruffian troops, was fuch as to afford me the greatest satisfaction.

I enclose the returns of the lofs of the British and Ruffian troops, and must repeat my fincere regret that the advantages we have obtained (however brilliant), have been fo dearly bought. In clofing this difpatch, I cannot deny myself the pleafure of expreffing my approbation of the flaff of my army, and