1810.] 
To bis Excellency the Minister at War, 
Dos Barrios, Nov. 19, 1809. 
The troops of his Imperial Majesty have 
gained a signal victory. The battle was 
fought in the vicinity of Ocana, where the 
insurgents had assembled a force of 55,000 
men, 7000 of whom were horse, and a nume- 
rous park of artillery. The 4th corps joined 
by the 5th, under the orders of Marshal the 
Duke of Treviso; the division of dragoons, 
commanded by General Milhaud; the divi- — 
sion of light horse, under the command of Ge- 
neral Boauregard 3 and the brigade of light 
horse of General Paris; the royal guards; and 
two battalions of Spanish troops, marched 
yesterday from Aranjuez to meet the enemy, 
which, accordinz to every intelligence recei- 
ved, had taken post at Ocana. About nine 
o’clock this morning, our advanced parties 
came in sight of the enemy’s army. At ele- 
veno’clock, the action commenced ; and intwo 
hours it was decided in our favour. The Spa- 
niards, encouraged by their superiority innum- 
bers, made a vigorous resistance 3 but they 
were attacked with such irresistible valour 
by our troops, that they soon gave way, their 
position was carried, and they were thrown 
into the utmost confusion. All theirartillery 
and field equipage fell into our hands. More 
than 50 pieces of cannon have already been 
brought in; 50 stand of colours, and nume- 
rous prisoners have been taken; among whom 
are three generals, six colonels, and 700 infe- 
rior oflicers. The ground is covered with the 
slain, and with more than 49,000 muskets. 
They who escaped took to flight without 
arms, and without knowing whither to direct 
their steps. 
This morning the King gave the command 
of the cavalry to General Sebastiani; and the 
admirable manner in which he maneuvred 
and made his charges, fully justified his Ma- 
jesty’schoice. General Milhaud alsogreatly 
distinguished himself; and all the different 
commanders of horse displayed the utmost in- 
trepidity and valour. ‘The Marshal Duke of 
Treviso commanded the 4th and 5th corps. 
It is utterly impossible to behave in a more 
gallant manner than ne did; he receiveda 
contusion in the arm, but this did not prevent 
him continuing the command. Our loss does 
not, in my estimation, exceed 400 men. The 
Marshal the Duke of Belluno is ordered to 
cross the Tagus between Villamaurique and 
uente Duenar. He-is to attack the enemy 
in the position he has taken up at Santa Cruz, 
and pursue in whatever ‘direction he may 
choose to retreat. He was this morning in- 
formed by letter, that the enemy had concen- 
trated his force near Ocana, and ordered to 
direct his march to that point. As he had to 
perform a long march, he could not arrive 
sufficiently in time to share in the action: 
nay, the King did not receive any intelligence 
trom him the whole of the day, and his Ma- 
jesty therefore is perfectly ignorant of what 
the Duke of Beiluno has been doing. Ishall, 
Staite of Public Affairs in December. 
621 
however, have to make my further report on 
this subject as soon as possible, 
Be pleased to lay my report before his Im- 
“perial Majesty, aud accept the assurance of 
my high consideration. 
The Marshai the Duxe or Datmatia. 
Madrid, Nov. 20.—The battle of Ocana, 
which the King fought yesterday, was one of 
the most decisive which the troops of his Ma- 
jesty the Emperor and King have ever fought. 
The members of the Junta of Seville, who 
have the most influence, were in the rear of 
the army of the insurgents, and announced, 
in a high tone, that they were going to hold 
their sittings at Madrid; but they were the 
first.to fly. This appears to be the last effort 
which the Junta of Seville will make. The 
following Order of the Day has been pub- 
lished and affixed up in all the pubic places :—__ 
" ORDER OF THE DAY. 
*¢ Yesterday the King gained a signal and 
decisive victory at Ocana. ‘ 
‘‘ Two hours were sufficient to disperse 
the army of the insurgents, who expected, 
within two days, to make their entry into - 
Madrid. it was entirely dispersed or de- 
stroyed. 
‘6 Four thousand men were left dead on 
the field of battle, 20,000 were made priso- 
ners, among whom were 200 officers, 30 or 
40,000 muskets, 20 standards, 30 pieces of 
artillery, and an incredible quantity of bag- 
gage, were the result of this splendid victory. 
‘© AUGUSTUS BELLIARD, Gov.-Gen.” 
HOLLAND. 
Walcheren has been evacuated by the 
British forces, after an immense loss of 
lives by sickness during its temporary 
possession. ‘The following are the official 
dispatches : Se 
His Majesty's Ship Blake, in Flushing 
Rozds, Dec. 18. 
Sir,+—I have availed myself of Vice-Ad- 
miral Campbell’s offer of the Jason to convey 
me to Flushing ; and as soon as it moderated 
on the 9th, in the afternoon, I hoisted my 
flag on board that ship, and, accompanied by 
the Idas'cutter, proceeded to this anchorage, 
where I arrived on the evening of the 10th. 
I found Rear Admiral Otway with the 
squadron here; he had embarked the troops, 
and put every thing ina state of preparation 
for retiring from Walcheren whenever the 
wind became favourable; the arsenal and 
works about the basin at- Flushing having 
been destroyed on that day. _ _ 
The inclosed letter from the Rear-Admi- 
ral will inform you cf the particulars of his 
proceedings; his arrangement for the retreat 
appeared to me to be-so excellent, that I gave 
my full approbation to the whole. 
It has tlown an exceeding heavy gale of 
wind from the westward since my arrival in 
these roads, which has prevented my going, 
as I intended, to the division under Comnro-. 
dore Owen, in the Slough passage, and the 
same 
