Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

The enemy have followed the Duke of Belluno, but with cavalry only. A light division of 1500 of the enemy's cavalry had taken a position at Rambervillers. General Briche sent one of his brigades of cavalry. Colonel Hoffmayer, of the 2d regiment of dragoons, turned the town on the 9th, and advanced on the road of Espinal, while General Montlegier marched directly to Rambervillers, and penetrated into the town. The enemy's 1500 horse were broken every where. They attempted to rally at some distance, but were charged impetuously, broken, and pursued above two leagues, leaving many dead on the field of battle.

General Duhesme has fixed his headquarters at St. Diez.

The Duke of Ragusa has taken a position on the Sarre.

The motions of the columns which have penetrated to Geneva are siow. The caeiny are not at Bourg.

SPAIN.

Downing street, Dec. 29, 1812. Major Hill, Aide-de-Camp to Lieute. nant-General Sir Rowland Hill, has arrived with a dispatch, of which the folJowing is a copy, addressed to Earl Bathurst, by Field Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, K. G. dated

St. Jean de Luz, Dec. 14, 1813. My Loun,-Since the enemy's retreat from the Nivelle, they had occupied a position in front of Bayonne, which had been entrenched with great labour since the battle fought at Vittoria, in June last. It was impossible to attack the enemy in this position, as long as they remained in force in it.

I had determined to pass the Nive immediately after the passage of the Nivelle. The enemy were immediately driven from the right bank of the river, and retired towards Bayonne, by the great road from St. Jean Pied de Port. Those posted opposite Cambo were nearly intercepted by the 6th division, and one regiment was driven from the road and obliged to march across the country.

The enemy assembled in considerable force on a ange of heights running parallel with the Adour, and still keeping Ville Franche by their right. The 8th Portuguese regiment under Colonel Douglas, and the 9th Caçadores, under Colonel Brown, and the British light infantry battalions of the 6th division, carried the village and the beights in the neighbourhood. The rain which had fallen the preceding night and on the morning of the 8th, had so destroyed the road, that the day had nearly elapsed before the whole of Sir Rowland Hill's corps had come up, and I was therefore satisfied with the possession of the ground which we occupied.

On the same day, Lieutenant-General

Sir John Hope, with the left of the army under his command, moved forward by the great road from St. Jean de Luz, towards Bayonne, and reconnoitred the right of the entrenched camp under Bayonne, and the course of the Adour below the town, after driving in the enemy's posts from the neighbourhood of Biaritz and Anglet. right division under Major-General Alten, likewise moved forward from Bassusarry, and reconnoitred that part of the enemy's entrenchments.

The

Sir John Hope and Major-General Alten retired in the evening to the ground they had before occupied.

On the morning of the 10th, LieutenantGeneral Sir Rowland Hill found that the enemy had retired from the positions which they had occupied the day before on the heights, into the entrenched camp on the side of the Nive; and he therefore occupied the position intended for him, with his right towards the Adour, and his left to Ville Franche, and communicating with the centre of the army, under Marshal Sir the Nive; and the troops under the Mar William Beresford, by a bridge laid over shal were again drawn to the left of the Nive.

General Morillo's division of Spanish infantry, which had remained with Sir Rowland Hill when the other Spanish troops went into cantonments, was placed at Urcuray, with Colonel Vivian's brigade of light dragoons at Hasparren, in order to observe the movements of the enemy's division under General Paris, which upon the passage of the Nive had retired towards St. Palais.

On the 10th, in the morning, the enemy moved out of the entrenched camp with their whole army, with the exception only of what occupied the works opposite to Sir Rowland Hill's position, and drove in the picquets of the light division, and of Sir John Hope's corps, and made a most desperate attack upon the post of the former at the chateau and church of Arcangues, and upon the advanced posts of the latter, on the high road from Bayonne to St. Jean de Luz, near the Mayor's house of Biaritz. Both attacks were repulsed in the most gallant style by the troops, and Sir John Hope's corps took about five hundred prisoners.

The brunt of the action with Sir John Hope's advanced post fell upon the 1st Portuguese brigade, under Brigadier-General A. Campbell, which were on duty, and upon Major-General Robinson's brigade of the 5th division, which moved up to their support. Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope reports most favourably of the conduct of those, and of all the other troops engaged; and I had great satisfaction in finding that this attempt made by the enemy upon our left, in order to oblige us to draw in our right, was completely defeated by a comparatively small part of our force.

I cannot

[ocr errors][ocr errors]
[graphic]

1814.]

Dispatches from the Marquis Wellington

I cannot sufficiently applaud the ability, coolness, and judgment of Lieutenant-Ge neral Sir John Hope, who, with the general and staff officers under his command, sbewed the troops an example of gallantry, which must have tended to produce the favourable result of the day.

Sir John Hope received a severe contusion, which, however, I am happy to say, has not deprived me for a moment of the benefit of his assistance.

After the action was over, the regiments of Nassan aud Frankfort, under the command of Colonel Kruse, came over to the posts of Major-General Ross's brigade of the 4th division, which were formed for the support of the center.

When the night closed, the enemy were still in large force in front of our posts, on the ground from which they had driven the picquets. They retired, however, during the night, from Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope's front, leaving small posts, which were immediately driven in. They still occupied, in force, the ridge on which the picquets of the light division had stood; and it was obvious that the whole army was still in front of our left; and about three in the afternoon, they again drove in Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope's picquets, and attacked his posts. They were again repulsed with considerable loss.

The attack was recommenced on the morning of the 12th, with the same want of success; the first division under MajorGeneral Howard, having relieved the 5th division; and the enemy discontinued in the afternoon, and retired early within the entrenched camp on that night. They never renewed the attack on the posts of the light division after the 10th.

Lieutenant General Sir John Hope reports most favourably of the conduct of all the officers and troops, particularly of the 1st Portuguese brigade, under BrigadierGeneral Archibald Campbell and of MajorGeneral Robinson's, and Major-General Hay's brigade of the 5th division, under the command of the Hon. Colonel Greville. He mentions, particularly, Major-General Hay, commanding the 5th division, MajorGenerals Robinson and Bradford, BrigadierGeneral Campbell, Colonels De Regoa and Greville, commanding the several brigades. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, of the 84th, who was unfortunately killed, LieutenantColonels Barnes, of the Royals, and Cameron of the 9th, Captain Ramsay of the Royal Horse Artillery, Colonel De Lancy, Deputy Quarter-Master-General, and Lieu tenant-Colonel M'Donald, Assistant-Adjutant-General, attached to Sir John Hope's corps, and the officers of his personal staff.

The 1st division under Major-General Howard, were not engaged until the 12th, when the enemy's attack was more feeble; MONTHLY MAG. No. 251,

73

but the guards conducted themselves with their usual spirit.

The enemy having thus failed in all their attacks with their whole force upon our left, withdrew into their intrenchments, on the night of the 12th, and passed a large force through Bayonne, with which, on the morning of the 13th, they made a most desperate attack upon Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill.

In expectation of this attack, I had requested Marshal Sir W. Beresford to reinforce the Lieutenant-General with the 6th division, which crossed the Nive at daylight on that morning; and I further reine forced him by the 4th division, and two brigades of the 3d division.

The expected arrival of the 6th division gave the Lieutenant-General great facility in making his movements; but the troops under his immediate command, had defeated and repulsed the enemy with immensa loss before their arrival; the principal attack having been made along the high road, from Bayoune to St. Jean Pied de Port. Major-General Barnes's brigade of British infantry, and the 5th Portuguese brigade, under Brigadier General Ainsworth, were particularly engaged in the contest with the enemy on that point, and these troops conducted themselves admirably. The Portuguese division of infantry, under the command of Mariscal del Compo Dou F. Le Cor, moved to their support on their left in a very gallant style, and regained an important position between these troops and Major-General Pringle's brigade, engaged with the army in front of Ville Franche. I had great satisfaction also in observing the conduct of MajorGeneral Byng's brigade of Butish infantry, supported by the 4th Portuguese brigade, under the comniand of Brigadier-General Buchan, in carrying an important height from the enemy on the right of our position, and maintaining it against all their efforts to regain it.

Two guns and some prisoners were taken from the enemy, who being beaten at all points, and having suffered considerable loss, were obliged to retire upon their entrenchment.

It gives me the greatest satisfaction to have another opportunity of reporting my seuse of the merits and services of Lieute nant-General Sir Rowland Hill upon this occasion, as well as those of LieutenantGeneral Sir William Stewart, commanding the 2d division; Major-Generals Pringle, Barnes, and Byng; Marescal del Compo Don F. le Cor, and Brigadier-Generals Da Casta, Ashworth, and Buchan. The British artillery under Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, and the Portuguese artillery under Colonel Tulloch, distinguished themselves; and Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill reports particularly the assistance he received from Lieutenant-Colonels Bouvrie L

[graphic]
[graphic]
[graphic]

and

and Jackson, the Assistant-Adjutant and Assistant Quarter-Master General attached to his corps; Lieutenant-Colonel Goldfinch, of the Royal Engineers, and from the officers of his personal staff.

The enemy marched a large body of cavalry across the bridge of the Adour yesterday evening, and retired their force opposite to Sir R. Hill this morning towards Bayonne.

Throughout these varions operations I have received every assistance. from the Quarter-Master-General Major-General Sir George Murray, and the Adjutant-General Major-General Sir Edward Packenham, and Lieutenant Colonel Lord Fitzroy Somerset, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and the officers of my personal staff. WELLINGTON.

MEMORANDUM.-When Major Hill left the army, on the 18th instant, the right wing occupied a position between the Adour and the Nive, commanding the navigation of both the rivers; the centre to the left of the army, were posted between the Nive and the sea.

Abstract of total loss of the army under the command of Field-Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, from the 9th to the 13th December, 1813, inclusive:

Total British loss, Killed.-1 lieutenantcolonel, 1 major, 3 captains, 10 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, 1 staff, 8 serjeants, 2 drummers, 250 rank and file, 12 horses.

Total British Wounded-2 general staff, 3 lieutenant-colonels, 6 majors, 30 captains, 67 lieutenants, 22 ensigns, 1 staff, 131 serjeants, 20 drunimers, 1904 rank and file, 40 horses.

Total British Missing-1 major, 1 cap. tain, 5 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 1 staff, 10 serjeants, 3 drummers, 188 rank and file, 1 horse.

Total Portuguese Killed-1 lieutenantcolonel, 2 majors, 6 captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 7 serjeants, 2 drummers, 330 rank and file, 1 horse.

Total Portuguese Wounded-2 general staff, 5 lieutenant-colonels, 8 majors, 34 captains, 22 lieutenants, 33 ensigns, 8 staff, 84 serjeants, 5 drummers, 1488 rank and file.

Total Portuguese Missing-1 lieutenantcolonel, 1 major, 4 captains, ensigns, 4 serjeants, S drummers, 279 rank and file. Total Spanish Killed-5 rank and file. Wounded-21 rank and file. Grand Total-Killed 650, Wounded 8899,-Prisoners, 504. In all 5053, according to these returns.

British Officers Killed.

9th December.-42nd regt. 1st. bat. Captain George Stewart, Lieutenant James

Stewart.

10th December.--9th regt. 1st bat. Lieutenant P. L. Lemesurier, Ensign George Bolton, 84th regt, 2nd bat. Lieut. Col. R.

Lloyd.-95th regt. 1st bat. Lieutenant John Hopwood.-81th regt. 2nd bat. Captain Yates Johnson.

12th December.-1st regt. Foot Guards, 1st bat. Captain S. Coote Martin (Lieut. Col.), Lieutenant Charles Thompson (Cap tain).-3rd regt. Foot Guards, 1st bat. Caps tain Henry R. Watson (Adjutant).

13th December.-57th regt. 1st bat. Lieutenant Andrew Sankey, Ensigns Wm. Johnson, J. F. Pode.-71st regt. 1st bat. M. M'Kenzie (Lient.-Col.), Lieutenants W. Campbell and C. Henderson.-92nd regt. 1st bat. Lieutenants Duncan M'Pherson, Thomas Mitchell, and Allan Macdonald.

AMERICA.

The expectation that the Mexican patriots would succeed in establishing a free and independent republic in those fine provinces, is considerably abated by the intelligence, that General TOLEDO, at the head of the patriots, has been defeated by the royalists with the loss of two-thirds of his force. As the government of the United States, however, favor the cause of the patriots, their final success scarcely be doubted; and we may thence conclude, that within twenty years, nearly the whole continent of America will be covered with free republics.

can

The London Gazette of December 21, contains dispatches from Sir George Prevost, respecting the repulse of the American force under General Hampton, consisting of upwards of 7000 men, with 10 field pieces, by 300 Canadian fencibles and militia,- an achievement which conThis check, by less than a twentieth part fers great honor on the Canadians. of his force, appears to have disconcerted the operations of Gen. Hampton, who, it appears by a dispatch from Sir George, dated the 4th ult. had quitted the lower province, and was retiring to Four Corners.

With regard to the force under Gene ral Procter, it appears that this officer

was

so pressed by an overwhelming army, under the American General Harrison, that he was obliged to disperse his troops, consisting of only 450 regulars. He afterwards rallied them, and retired to Aucaster, on the Grand River, without being pursued; and with the scattered remains, about 200 men, he at length reached Burlington heights, the head quarters of Gen. Vincent. The Ameri cans, however, were unable to profit by their success, and instead of advancing, retired to Sandwich, pursued by the Indians, who had been attached to Gen. Procter.

The speech of Mr. Madison has arrived in London, and shall be given in our next. MONTHLY

814.]

( 75 )

MONTHLY REGISTER OF THE PROGRESS OF BRITISH

LEGISLATION.

GENERAL TABLE of all the PUBLIC ACTS passed in the FIRST SESSION of the
FIFTH PARLIAMENT of the UNITED KINGDOM-53 GEO. III. or 1813.
N.B. The figure after the title expresses the number of sheets of which the Act consists;
and every sheet is sold for THREEPENCE.

CAP

AP. CXXXVII. To amend the several Acts for regulating licences for the sale of spirituous liquors, wine, heer, ale, and cyder, by retail, in Ire land.-1.

CXXXVIII. For the relief of insol. vent debtors in Ireland.-7.

CXXXIX. For exempting bankers and others from certain penalties contained in an Act of the last session of Parliament, for the further prevention of the counterfeiting of silver tokens issued by the governor and company of the bank of England, called dollars, and of silver pieces issued and circulated by the governor and company,called tokens, and for the further prevention of frauds practised by the imitation of the notes or bills of the said governor and company.-1. CXL. To amend an Act passed in the last session of Parliament, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual Regula. tion of Pilots, and of the Pilotage of Ships and Vessels on the coast of England," and for the regulation of boatmen employed in supplying vessels with pilots licensed under the said Act, so far as relates to the coast of Kent, within the limits of the Cinque Ports.-3.

CXLI. To repeal an Act of the se venteenth year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for registering the Grants of Life Annuities, and for the better Protection of Infants against such Grants," and to substitute other provisions in lieu thereof.-2.

CXLII. To explain and amend seve ral Acts relative to the land tax.-1. CXLIII. To direct the application of the sum of fifty thousand pounds, and of such further sums as may be granted for the benefit of the company of undertakers of the grand canal in Ireland.-2.

CXLIV. To amend an Act of the Parliament of Ireland of the fortieth year of his present Majesty, for promoting inland navigation in Ireland.-4.

CXLV. To amend the several Acts for regulating the distillation of spirits in Ireland.-3.

CXLVI. To amend an Act made in the forty-fifth year of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act to amend the Laws

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

CXLVII. For the better securing the excise duties on spirits in Great Bri tain, and for rectifying a mistake in an Act of the last session of Parliament, for granting certain duties on worts or wash made from sugar.-2.

CXLVIII. To provide for the more effectually preventing the illicit distillation of spirits in Ireland.-✨.

CXLIX. For the further support and maintenance of stipendiary curates.-3.

CL. For the more speedy and effectual examination and audit of the accounts of military expenditure in Spain and Portugal, for removing delays in passing the public accounts, and for making new arrangements for conducting the business of the audit office.-1.

CLI. For regulating the office of re gistrar of the high court of Admiralty and high court of appeals for prizes.-1.

CLII. To continue, until the first day of January, one thousand eight hun dred and nineteen, an Act made in the fifty-first year of his present Majesty, to explain and amend the laws touching the elections of knights of the shire to serve in Parliament for England, respecting the expences of hustings and poll clerks, so far as regards the city of Westmin

ster.-1.

CLIII. To enable his Majesty to grant additional annuities to the judges of the courts in Westminster Hall, on their resignation of their offices.-1.

CLIV. To render valid, and to authorize the payment, and granting of certain pensions at Kilmainham hospital; and to empower the commissioners of the said hospital to commute pensions for a sum of money in certain cases.-1.

CLV. For continuing in the East India Company for a further term the pos session of the British territories in India, together with certain exclusive privileges; for establishing further regulations for the governinent of the said territories, and the better administration of justice with

[ocr errors]

ід

in the same; and for regulating the trade to and from the places within the limits of the said company's charter.-14.

CLVI. To provide for the payment of the charge of the annuities created in respect of the sum of six millions granted for the service of Ireland for the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.-1.

CLVII. For granting the sum of fifty thousand pounds to John Palmer, esq. in consideration of the public services performed by the said John Palmer, in the improvement of the post-office re

Venue.- -1.

CLVIII. For vesting in his Majesty certain parts of Windsor Forest, in the county of Berks, and for inclosing the open commonable lands within the said forest.--14.

CLIX. To limit the responsibility of ship owners in certain cases.--2.

CLX. To relieve persons who im. pugn the doctrine of the Holy Trinity from certain penalties.-1.

CLXI. For enabling his Majesty to raise the sum of five millions, for the service of Great Britain; and for applying the sum of two hundred thousand pounds British currency for the service of Ireland.-1.

CLXII. To repeal a certain provision respecting persons convicted of fe lony without benefit of clergy, contained in an Act made in the fifty-second year of the reign of his present Majesty, for the erection of a Penitentiary House for the confinement of persons convicted within the city of London and county of Middlesex, and for making other provisions in lieu thereof.

End of the general public Acts.

CANALS;

[For the purpose of conveying a distinct idea of the prodigious annual labours of the British parliament, in promoting the internal improvements of the country, we have determined to class the LOCAL ACTS, under the several heads of IM PROVEMENTS in Towns and Districts; New or Improved ROADS; BRIDGES; POOR; INCLOSURES; and DRAINAGES. During the last session only, above two hundred Acts of this description passed the legislature; and of course it is only in our power to give a list of them. Every British patriot must be gratified by its perusal, while he must regret that a legislature, which so judiciously and gloriously performs its duties to the country, when not misled by passion or party spirit, should be so deplorably misled in its views of general policy, as to vote hundreds of millions,

one after another, to support a destructive system of ETERNAL WARFARE.] LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.

An Act for improving Kilmarnock.-2. For supplying with water the towns of Manchester and Salford.-2.

For the improvement of the harbour of Leith.-1.

For constructing a harbour at Porthle ven, in Mount's Bay.-1,

For improving the pier and port of Hartlepool.-2.

For paving, &c. certain parts of Piccadilly and Park-lane, co. Middlesex.-5.

For paving certain streets, &c. on certain pieces of ground belonging to his ma jesty, in Samt Mary-le-Bone and Saint Pancras, co. Middlesex, called Mary-leBone Park.-7.

For reviving an Act for the better regulation of the butter trade of the city of Cork.-1.

For regulating Coveut Garden Market,

-2.

For widening and improving Upper East Smithfield.-1.

For erecting a new gaol for the county and city of Edinburgh.-5.

For making an equal' county rate for the county of Oxford.—2.

For amending and extending the pow ers of the commission of sewers for the limits extending from East Mouldsey, in Surrey, to Ravensborne, in Kent.-4.

For more effectually paving, lighting, &c. the town of Margate, co. Kent.-5. For paving, lighting, &c. the streets, &c. in Kidderminster, co. Worcester.

-11.

For paving, lighting, &c. the hamlet of Poplar and Blackwall, co. Middlesex; and for the better relief of the poor of the said hamlet.—9.

For building a chapel of ease for Clapham, co. Surrey.-2.

For the more equal assessment of mo ney presented to be raised by the grand Jury of the county of the city of Cork and for other purposes.-4.

For erecting a church in the township of Everton, co. Lancaster.-4.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »