a 
184 
Franca 300 English sick or wounded. The 
English burnt in that town a large magazine 
ef flour and corn. ‘They also destroyed seve- 
ral artillery carriages, and killed 590 of their 
horses. We have already counted i600 of 
them left dead onthe roads. The amount of 
the prisoners is considerable, and increases 
every moment. In the cellars of the town 
we found several English soldiers who had 
-Gied from drunkenness. 
The head of~ Merle’s division, forming 
part of the Duke of Daimatia’s corps, came 
‘wp with the advanced guard onthe Sd. At 
four P. M. it reachea the rear guard of the 
English, who were upon the heights of Prie- 
vas, a league before Viila Franca, consisting 
of 5000 infantry and 600 cavairy. This po- 
sition was a very fine position, and difficult to 
attack. General Merle made his dispositions, 
The infantry advanced, beat the charge, and 
the English were entirely routed. The 
Gifficulty of the ground did not permit the ca- 
valry to charge, and only 200 prisoners were 
taken. We had some 50 men killed or 
wounded Genera] Colbert advanced to see 
if the cavalry could term; his hour was arri- 
wed—a ball struck him im the forehead, and 
he lived but a quarter of anhour. There are 
_tywio roads from Astorga to Villa Franca. The 
English took the right, the Spaniards the 
left; they marched wi Hout order—were cut 
_off and surroundes by the Hanoverian chas- 
seurs. A General of Brigade anda whole 
division laid down their arms. 
The head. quarters of the Duke of Dalmatia 
were, on the 4th in the evening, at the dis- 
tance of ten leagues from Lugo. On the 2d 
his Majesty reviewed at Astorga the divisions 
of Laborde and Loison, which form the army 
of Portugal. These troops see the English 
flying, and burn with impatience to get up 
with them, 
Since the 27th uit. we have taken mere 
than 10,000 prisoners, among whom are 
1500 English. ar have taken also more 
than 420 baggage-waggons, 15 wagcons of 
firelocks, their “magezines, and hospitals. 
The English retreat in disorder, leaving ma- 
gazines, sick, wounded, and equipage. 
They will experience a still greater loss, and 
“$f they be able to embark, it is probable it 
will pot be without the loss of half their army. 
We found inthe barns several Engiish who 
had been hanged by the Spaniards—his Ma- 
jesty was indignant and “ordered the barns to 
be burnt. The peasants, whatever may be 
their resentment, have noe sae to attempt 
the lives of the«stragglers of either army. 
His Majesty has ordered the English prison- 
"ers. te be treated with ali the respect due to 
soldiers who have manifested literal ideas, 
and sentiments of honour. On the 4th, at 
night, the Guke of Dalmatia’s head-quarters 
-were ten leagues irom Lugo. 
We have received the conmnctian of the 
news announcing the arrival of the 7th corps, 
- ender General Gouyien St. Cyr, at Bares- 
4 
, 
Progaess of the French Armies in Spain. 
<1 
[March 1, 
lona. He entrred that place on the i7th. 
@n the 15th, he fell in with the troops com- 
manded by Generals Réding and Vives, and 
completely dispersed them. He took from 
them 6 pieces of cannon, 30 caissons,. and 
5000 men. By meens of the junction of the 
7th corps with the troops under General 
Duhesme, we have a large army at Barce- 
\lona- 
When his Majesty was at Tordesillas, he 
had his head-qbarters in the outward buildings 
of the Royal Convent of St..Clair. It was 
to this convent that the mother of Charles V. 
had retired, and where she died. The Con- 
Sone OF SA ieieseadhait on the scite of a 
Moorish palace, of which about two halls re- 
main in fine preservation. The Abbess was 
presented to the Emperor. She is 75 years 
of age, and for 65 years she had net gone out 
of her cloisters. She was considerably mo- 
ved when she passed the threshold; but she 
conversed -with the Emperor with much 
presence of mind, and obtained several fa- 
vours for her friends. 
Tesenty-Sixth Bulletin. 
After. General Gouvion de St. Cyr entered 
Barcelona, he proceeded to the Lobregat, 
and forced the enemy’s intrenched camp, and 
took 25 pieces of cannon. He then took 
Tarragona, a place of great importance. 
The tr roops of the kingdom of Italy have 
covered themselves with glory—their con- _ 
duct has sensibly attected the Emperor. They 
are intruth chiefly composed of the corps 
formed by his Majesty in the campaign of the 
year five. The Italian picked men are as 
wise as they are brave; they have given rise 
to no complaint, and have shewn the greatest 
courage. Since the time of the Romans, 
the people of Italy had not made war in Spain. 
Since the Romans, no epoch has been so 
glorious for the Italian arms. 
The army of the kingdom of Italy is al- 
ready 80,000 strong and good | soldiers. 
These are the guarantees which that fine 
country has of being no longer the theatre of 
‘war. His Majesty has removed his -head- 
quarters irom Benevente to Valladolid. He 
received to-day all the constituted authori- 
ties. 
Ten of the worst of the lowest ranks have 
been put to death. They are the same who 
massacred General Cevallos, and who for se 
long a time have oppressed the better sort of 
people. 
His Majesty has ordered the suppression 
of the, Dominican Convent, in which one 
Frenchman was killed. He testified his sa- 
tis‘action at the Convent of San Penete, 
whose monks are enligntened men, who, far 
from baying preached war and disorder, of. 
having shewn themselves greedy of blood and 
murder,’ have employed all their cares and ef- 
forts to calm the people and bring them back 
to good order. Several Frenchmen owe their 
lives to them. The Emperor wished to see 
these religious geen; and, when he was Ia- 
- funmed 
