LETTER LIFI.

THE BATTLE AT CORUNNA, AS VIEWED FROM THE OUTER HARBOUR.

SCENE ON THE MORNING OF THE 17TH IN THE INNER HARBOUR.STATE OF SUSPENSE.-DEATH OF AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. SICK OFFICERS.

At Sea, January 19th, 1809.

SINCE I closed my last letter, some of the opinions expressed in it have been confirmed: a severe engagement has taken place on the heights above Corunna; but of the particulars I am as yet ignorant. I shall communi cate to you, however, what has come to my knowledge.

A division of the enemy having crossed the river Mero, at a bridge some miles above Burgo, took up a position upon the left of our army. Things were in this state, when, about noon on the 14th, our fleet of transportswas descried coming round the western extremity of the bay. During that evening, and the following morning, our sick, artillery, and dragoons commenced embarking.

The enemy, meantime, having repaired the bridge of Burgo, and brought over his artillery, advanced, and took up a very strong position on the heights of St. Margaret, immediately in front of our line, with his right stretching across the road to Betanzos. On the 15th, and morning of the 16th, there was some skirmishing, and the line was in part turned out. Our embarkation still went on, and it was observed that the enemy had been joined by considerable reinforcements, and was placing his guns on the right and left of his line. I had embarked on the 15th, but went ashore for half an hour on the forenoon of the 16th. Some officers of my acquaintance informed me, that appearances indicated a speedy attack; and about two hours after, returning on board, I observed, with a telescope, that the enemy had posted a strong column on his right. About three o'clock he opened a very heavy fire on our right, which was returned in a slack manner, most of our cannon having previously been embarked. A cannonade was, after some time, commenced on the left of our position, and a fire of musketry followed, which continued with great fury till about six o'clock, when it entirely ceased.

You can have but a faint idea of the anxiety of my fellow-passengers and myself, respecting the event of the action. About seven o'clock the master of the transport

went in his boat alongside one of the agent's ships, and returned with some tidings of so unsatisfactory a nature, that I shall not communicate them to you, as I well know, that before this can reach Devonshire, you will be acquainted with the result of the whole affair.

In the evening I perceived, from the long line of our soldiers fires upon the heights, that we had kept our ground; but about eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th, we were astonished, by observing that the enemy had got possession of the heights above St. Lucia, from which he opened a spirited fire from three pieces of cannon, upon the ships in the inner harbour. Nothing was now to be seen but the most dreadful confusion. The transports slipped their cables, and put to sea instantly; many running foul of each other, and carrying away yards, bowsprits, and rigging. Four or five ships, in attempting to run between the island of St. Antonio and the citadel, ran aground on the rocks, and bilged. A seventy-four gun ship immediately stood in towards the French batteries, and opened her guns upon them.

As our ship quitted the outer harbour, we observed troops embarking from the promontory behind the town, and heard some firing from the westward. Having put to sea, we saw, after it became dark, a considerable body of