hope, that you will speedily be restored to the service of your country, and to lament the unfortunate circumstance that removed you from your station in the field, and threw the momentary command into far less able hands. I have the honour to be, &c.

JOHN HOPE, Lieut. Gen.

Admiralty-Office, Jan. 24. 1809. Copy of a letter from the Hon. Michael De Courcy, Rear-Admiral of the White, to the Hon. William Wellesley Pole, dated on board his Majesty's ship the Tonnant, at Corunna, the 17th and 18th instant.

January 17. 1809. SIR-Having it in design to dispatch the Cossack to England as soon as her boats shall cease to be essential to the embarkation of the troops, I seize a moment to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the ships of war, Ville de Paris, Victory, Barfleur, Zealous, Implacable, Elizabeth, Norge, Plantagenet, Resolution, Audacious, Endymion, Mediator, and transports, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood and Commissioner Bowen, arrived at this anchorage from Vigo on the 14th and 15th inst. The Alfred and Hindostan, with some transports, were left at Vigo to receive a brigade of three thousand five hundred men, that had taken that route under Generals Alten and Crawford.

In the vicinity of Corunna the enemy have pressed upon the British in great force. The embarkation of the sick, the cavalry, and the stores went on. The night of the 16th was appointed for the general embarkation of the infantry; and, mean time, the enemy prepared for attack. At three P. M. an action commenced; the enemy, which had been posted on a lofty hill, endeavouring to force the British on another hill of inferior height, and nearer the town.

The enemy were driven back with great slaughter; but very sorry am I to add, that the British, though triumphant, have suffered severe losses. I am unable to communicate further particulars, than that Sir John Moore received a mortal wound, of which he died at 12

o'clock at night; that Sir Dav. Baird lost an arm; that several officers and many men have been killed and wounded; and that the ships of war have received all such of the latter as they could accommodate, the remainder being sent to the transports.

The weather is now tempestuous, and the difficulties of the embarkation are great. All except the rear-guard are embarked, consisting perhaps, at the present moment, of 2600 men. The overhanging the beach, have forced the enemy having brought cannon to a hill majority of the transports to cut or slip. Embarkation being no longer practicable at the town, the boats have been ordered to a sandy beach near the light. house; and it is hoped the greater part, if not all, will still be embarked, the ships of war having dropped out to facilitate the embarkation.

January 18th.

The embarkation of the troops having occupied the greater part of last night, it has not been in my power to detach the Cossack before this day; and it is with satisfaction I am able to add, that, in consequence of the good order maintained by the troops, and the unwearied exertions of Commissioner Bowen, the Captains and other officers of the navy, the agents, as well as the boat's crews, many of whom were for two days without food and without repose, the army have been embarked to the last man, and the ships are now in the offing, preparatory for steering to England.

The great body of the transports having lost their anchors, ran to sea without the troops they were ordered to receive, in consequence of which there are some thousands on board the ships of war. Several transports, through mismanagement, ran on shore. The seamen appear to have abandoned them, two being brought out by the boat's crew of the men of war, two were burnt, and five were bilged.

I cannot conclude this hasty statement, without expressing my great ob. ligations to Rear-Admiral Sir Samue! Hood, whose eye was every where, and whose exertions were unremitted.

I have the honour to be, &c.
M. DE COURCY.

SIR JOHN MOORE.

The following particulars are given by one of his most confidential attendants and friends, one who was by the side of the hero in his last moments, and with whom he deposited his expiring wishes.

"I met the General on the evening of the 16th instant, as some soldiers were bringing him into Corunna, supported in a blanket with sashes. He knew me immediately, though it was almost dark; squeezed me by the hand, and said, "Do not leave me.'-He spoke to the surgeons on their examining his wound, but was in such pain he could say but little. After some time, he seemed very anxious to speak to me; and, at intervals, expressed himself as follows:-The first question he asked was- are the French beaten?' which inquiry he repeated to all those he knew, as they entered the room. On being assured by all that the French were beaten, he exclaimed- I hope the people of England will be satisfied. hope my Country will do me justice. You will see my friends as soon as you possibly can tell them every thingsay to my mother'—(here his voice failed him.)

I

'Hope-Hope-I have much to say, but cannot get it out.-Is Colonel Graham, and are all my Aides-de-Camp, well?—I have made my will, and have remembered my servants.-Colborne has my will and all my papers.'

66

Major Colborne (his principal Aidde-Camp) then came into the roomhe spoke most kindly to him, and then said to me- Remember, you go to and tell him, it is my request, and that I expect he will befriend Major Colborne --he has been long with me, and I know him most worthy of it. He then again asked Major Colborne if the French were beaten; and on being told they were repulsed at every point, he said, 'it was a great satisfaction, in his last moments, to know he had beat the French !'

* Is General Paget in the room?' On my telling him he was not, he said, 'Remember me to him'

'I feel myself so strong, I fear I shall be long dying;-I am in great pain.' "He then thanked the Doctors for their attention.

"Captains Percy and Stanhope came into the room-he spoke kindly to both,

and asked Percy if all his Aides-de-Camp were well. He pressed my hand close to his body, and in a few minutes he died without a struggle.

"He said to me, while the surgeons were examining his wound-You know I have always wished to die this way.' As far as I can recollect, this is every thing he said, except asking to be placed in an easier posture."

Sir John Moore, before his death, was asked, whether he wished to be taken to England, but answered, that there was no occasion for it. He was buried at his own desire in the citadel of Corunna, as was also General Anstruther, who died of a dysentery on the march.

GENERAL ORDERS.

The benefits derived to an army from the example of a distinguished Commander, do not terminate at his death: His virtues live in the recollection of his associates, and his fame remains the strongest incentive to great and glorious actions.

In this view, the Commander in Chief, amidst the deep and universal regret, which the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore has occasioned, recalls to the troops the military career of that illustrious officer, for their instruction and imitation.

Sir John Moore from his youth embraced the profession with the feelings and sentiments of a soldier:-He felt, that a perfect knowledge, and an exact performance of the humble, but important duties of a subaltern officer, are the best foundations for subsequent military fame; and his ardent mind, while it looked forward to those brilliant at chievements for which it was formed, applied itself with energy and exemplary assiduity to the duties of that station.

In the school of regimental duty, he obtained that correct knowledge of his profession so essential to the proper direction of the gallant spirit of the soldier; and he was enabled to establish a characteristic order and regularity of conduct, because the troops found in their leader a striking example of the discipline which he enforced on others.

Having risen to command, he signalized his name in the West Indies, in Holland, and in Egypt. The unremitting attention with which he devoted himself to the duties of every branch of

his profession, obtained him the confidence of Sir Ralph Abercromby, and he became the companion in arms of that illustrious officer, who fell at the head of his victorious troops, in an action which maintained our national superiority over the arms of France.

Thus Sir John Moore, at an early period, obtained, with general approbation, that conspicuous station, in which he gloriously terminated his useful and honourable life.

In a military character obtained a midst the dangers of climate, the privations incident to service, and the sufferings of repeated wounds, it is difficult to select any one point as a preferable subject for praise: It exhibits, however, one feature so particularly characteris. tic of the man, and so important to the best interests of the service, that the Commander in Chief is pleased to mark it with his peculiar approbation.

The life of Sir John Moore was spent amongst the troops.

During the season of repose, his time was devoted to the care and instruction of the officer and soldier; in war he courted service in every quarter of the Globe. Regardless of personal considerations, he esteemed that to which his country called him, the post of honour, and by his undaunted spirit and unconquerable perseverance, he pointed the way to victory.

His country, the object of his latest solicitude, will rear a monument to his lamented memory, and the Commander in Chief feels he is paying the best tribute to his fame, by thus holding him forth as an example to the army.

By Order of his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief.

HARRY CALVERT, Adjutant General.
Horse Guards, Feb. 1. 1809.

of Dalmatia's corps, came up with the advanced guard on the 3d. At-4 P. M. it reached the rear-guard of the English, who were upon the heights of Pieros, a league before Villafranca, consisting of 5000 infantry, and 600 cavalry. This position was a very fine position, and difficult to attack. Gen. Merle made his dispositions. The infantry advanced, beat the charge, and the British were entirely routed.-The difficulty of the ground did not permit the cavalry to charge, and only 300 prisoners were taken. We had some fifty men killed or wounded. Gen. Colbert advanced to see if the cavalry could form;-his hour was arrived-a ball struck him in the fore-head, and he lived but a quarter of an hour.

"Since the 27th ult. we have taken more than 10,000 prisoners, among whom are 1500 British. We have taken also more than 400 baggage waggons, 15 waggons of firelocks, their magazines and hospitals. The British retreat in disorder, leaving magazines, sick, wounded, and equipage."

Valladolid, Jan. 9.-" The Duke of Dalmatia, after the battle of Pieros, proceeded to expel the British from the post of Piedra Fella. He there took 1500 British prisoners, five pieces of cannon, and several caissons. The enemy was obliged to destroy a quantity of baggage and stores. They left behind them in their carriages a quantity of gold and silver.-Half the British cavalry is on foot. Since our departure from Benevente up to the 4th instant, we counted on the road 1800 British horses that had been killed."

Valladolid, Jan. 13.-"That part of the treasure of the enemy which has falleu into our hands is 1,Soo,coo francs. The inhabitants assert that the British have carried off from eight to ten millions.

"The Duke of Dalmatia arrived on the 6th in presence of the enemy. He employed the 7th and 8th in reconnoitring the enemy. The left only was attackable-he manoeuvred on their left. His dispositions required some movements on the 8th, the Duke being determined to attack on the 9th, but the enemy retreated in the night, and in the morning our advanced guard entered Lugo. The enemy left 300 sick in the hospitals, a park of 13 pieces of cannon, and 300 waggons of ammunition. We

made

made 700 prisoners. The town and environs of Lugo are choaked with the bodies of British horses. Hence, upwards of 2500 horses have been killed in the retreat. The British are marching to Corunna in great haste, where they have already lost baggage, ammunition, a part even of their most material artillery, and upwards of 3000 prisoners.

"They are reduced to 18,000 men, and are not yet embarked. From Sahagun they retreated 150 leagues in bad weather, worse roads, through mountains, and always closely pursued at the point of the sword. It is difficult to conceive the fully of their plan of campaign. It must be attributed, not to the General who commands, and who is a clever and skilful man, but to that spirit of hatred and rage which animates the British Ministry."

Valladolid, Jan. 21.-" The Duke of Dalmatia left Betanzos on the 12th inst. Having reached the Mero, he found the bridge of Burgo cut. The enemy was dislodged from the village of Burgo. In the meanwhile Gen. Franceschi ascended the river, which he crossed at the bridge of Sela. He made himself mas ter of the high-road from Corunna to Santiago, and took six officers and 60 soldiers prisoners. On the same day a body of 3 marines, who were fetching water from the bay near Mero, were ta ken. From the village of Perillo, the Eritish fleet could be observed in the harbour of Corunna. On the 13th, the enemy caused two powder magazines, situated near the heights of St Marga ret, at half a league from Corunna, to be blown up. The explosion was terrible, and was felt at the distance of three leagues. On the 14th, the bridge at Burgo was repaired, and the French artillery was able to pass. The enemy had taken a position at two leagues distance, half a league before Corunna. He was seen employed in hastily embarking his sick and wounded, the number of which, according to spies and deserters, amounts to three or four thousand men. The British were in the meanwhile occupied in destroying the batteies on the coast, and laying waste the country on the sea-shore. On the even ing of the 14th we saw a fresh convoy of 160 sail arrive, among which were four ships of the line.

On the morning of the 15th, the di

visions of Merle and Mermet occupied the heights of Villabon, where the enemy's advanced guard was stationed, which was attacked and destroyed. The enemy was stationed behind some advantageous heights. The rest of the 15th was spent in fixing a battery of 12 pieces of cannon; and it was not till the 16th, at three o'clock in the afternoon, that the Duke of Dalmatia gave orders to attack. The assault was made upon the English by the first brigade of the division of Mermet, which overthrew them, and drove them from the village of Elvina. The enemy, driven from his positions, retreated to the gardens which surround Corunna. The night growing very dark, it was necessary to suspend the attack. The enemy availed himself of this to embark with precipitation. Only 6000 of our men were engaged, and every arrangement was made for abandoning the positions of the night, and advancing next day to a general attack. The loss of the enemy has been immense. Two of our batteries played upon them during the whole of the engagement. We counted on the field of battle more than 800 of their dead bo dies. We have taken 20 officers, 300 men, and four pieces of cannon. The English have left behind them more than 1500 horses, which they had kil led.

Our loss amounts to 100 men killed and 150 wounded.

"At day-break on the 17th, we saw the English convoy under sail. On the 18th, the whole had disappeared. The Duke of Dalmatia had caused a carronade to be discharged upon the vessels from the fort of Santiago. Several transports ran aground, and all the men who were on board were taken.

"We found in the establishment of the Palloza (a large manufactory, &c. in the suburbs of Corunna, where the English had previously been encamped), 3000 English muskets. Magazines also were seized, containing a great quantity of ammunition and other effects belonging to the hostile army. A great number of wounded were picked up in the suburbs.

"Thus has terminated the English expedition which was sent into Spain. After having fomented the war in this unhappy country, the English have abandoned it. They had disembarked 38,000 men, and 6000 horses. We have

taken

taken from them, according to calculation, 6500 men, exclusive of the sick. They have re-embarked very little bag. gage, very little ammunition, and very few horses. We have counted 5000 kil led and left behind."

Such is Bonaparte's account of the termination of our campaign in Spain. It differs very materially from that given by our own officers, in almost every particular. That 6000 men should defeat the whole of our army, with the loss of only 100 men, and yet that this ar my, after this defeat, should embark un molested, are contradictions too palpable to obtain credit.

It is very extraordinary that no nofice is taken of the Marquis of Romana and his troops in any of the dispatches to Government. It is known that they crossed our army during the retreat.They are said to have bravely opposed the French at Astorga, and, according to some accounts, being reduced to about 8000 men, they retreated to Vigo, where they embarked for Cadiz.

A brigade of British troops, under the command of Generals Alten and Crawfurd, consisting of 3100 men, took the road to Vigo, where they embarked in safety on the 18th January, not having been pursued by the enemy.

The following is an abstract of a general return of the troops embarked at Corunna for England. Cavalry, 2,872; Engineers, &c. 2,686; Infantry, 19,539; Total, 25,067. If to this we add 3100 embarked at Vigo, the whole amount to upwards of 28,000.

The whole of the north coast of Spain being now occupied by the French, intelligence of the military operations in the south can only be derived from Cadiz, and for a short time perhaps thro' Portugal.

The whole of our transports, both from Corunna and Vigo, have now arrived, and our army is cantoned along the south coast of England. The Vigo detachment was not pursued, but was somewhat short of its original complement, in consequence of the excessive fatigue it underwent. The loss which our army sustained in Spain has not yet been ascertained. Bonaparte rates it at a full third, General Stewart at little more than a tenth; but it is probable that accurate returns will be speedily Paid before the House of Commons.

On the 27th January, Colone! Baird, (brother of Sir David Baird) Captain Baird, Capt Gregory, and Dr M'Gregor, (who attends Sir David Baird) went off to the Ville de Paris, at Plymouth, in her barge, to bring that gallant officer on shore. At noon Sir David was landed in a large cot, and carried in the arms of several of the crew of the Ville de Paris to lodgings in the High Street. A crowd of persons assembled, whose hearts seemed big with the sight. We are happy to hear that he is as well as can be expected. Soon afterwards Col. Bradford, Deputy-Adjutant General to the army, was brought on shore in a cot from the same ship, born by several of the crew. He is a fine young man, who has a bad wound in the small bone of his leg, by a musket ball. Several other officers landed, who are sick, and were led up from the Sally port to lodgings.

The eldest son of Sir Harry Burrard, and Aid-de-Camp to Sir John Moore, was severely wounded in the late engagement, and was put on board the Audacious, in which ship he died on the arst.

The greater part of the sick and wounded of our army that have returned from Spain are doing well. We are sorry, however, to state, that Colonel Maxwell, of the 26th, and Major M'Gregor, of the 59th, with an officer of the 38th, and ten privates, have died of their wounds at Plymouth.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

The weather has been so extremely and universally tempestuous during the month of January, that we are concerned to state several melancholy losses at sea. On Sunday, the 22d of January, about six o'clock in the morning, the Dispatch transport of Shields, from Corunna, with about 100 of the 7th regt. of light dragoons on board, struck on the Manacle rocks near Falmouth, in a violent gale of wind; she afterwards floated off, and drove into Coverach bay, without any person on board, and nearly full of water. It appears, that seven men saved their lives, but all the rest perished, among whom were Major Cavendish, Captain Duckinfield, and Lieut. the Hon. E. Waldegrave.-The Primrose sloop of war, of 18 guns, Capt. Weir, from Portsmouth, struck on the Manacles at the same time, and all on board were lost, except one boy.