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THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Boston, Friday, December 10, 1813

BREAKING NEWS

Affairs Near Italy
>From French papers

Zurich, September 29 -- The head-quarters of the Swiss troops in the country of the Girssons, is at Coire, under Col. Ziegler; with battalions at Mayenfeld, Hochgiricht, Eugadia, Munsterthal, and on the road leading to Roveredo and Thusis. The Grand Council has been convoked to take such measures as circumstances require.

Augsburg, September 29 -- The communications between this city and Italy, which had been interrupted by the Austrians, is re-established; and their retreat from Pusterthal has opened the communication between Inspruck (Innsbruck?) and Botzen. We are fortifying Rottenburg with great activity. The Bavarian Tyrol continues tranquil. Gen. Wrede's H.Q. are at Brannau; his army (40,000) extending to Saltzbourg, waiting the advance of the Viceroy to form a junction on their way to Vienna.

Trieste, September 16 -- The army of Italy has now gained many advantages. Composed of young troops it required to be guided by profound wisdom; and the Viceroy has gradually prepared it to gain, from day to day, greater advantages. Their exploits in the recapture of Villach, Crainbourg, &c. are well known.

September 20 -- Letters from Fiume, dated the 15th September mention, that the Austrians, after having captured that place, and sent the Prince Maximilian to govern it, had evacuated it on that day and were retreating pell mell, some towards Carlstadt, and others through Istria; in consequence of the French having taken Lippa. Prince Maximilian embarked on board an English boat.

Milan, September 26 -- On the 23rd, Gen. Verdier's corps was at Federaun and Rechersdorf, to which Gen. Grenier was advancing, and will command the left of the army of Italy. The Viceroy commands immediately the right; where our outposts continue on the Saave, at Weissenburg and Lippa.
On the 21st, in an attack on a post on the road to Aversperg, we took forty prisoners of the regiment of Franglarl!

October 5 -- The enemy but feebly resist our troops on the main road of Labach. Their principal forces are taking by roads to out flank our right; and they have been secretly reinforced from Fiume.
Trieste has been again threatened by troops from Maitora and Istria, assisted by an English squadron in sight of the harbor. On the 1st October, they reconnoitered Adelsburg, but were warmly repulsed. On the 2nd, the Viceroy proceeded to Privalt and Gen. Palombini to Passawioza.
The division of reserve was at Brixen the 28th September. On the 29th, Gen. Muzzuchelli took St. Sigismund, defended by 800 men; who retreated precipitately towards Wilback, scattering their arms, &c. on the road. We have taken a number of prisoners.

Laybach, September 17 -- His Imperial Highness (Beauharnais), having left some battalions in the positions of Weichelsburg, set off with the rest on a particular operation. The enemy embraced this moment to attack us on the 16th, the troops remaining in Weichelsburg, with a superior number. They behaved very well for some time, and the grenadiers of the 67th regiment, overthrew all before them by the bayonet. However, it became necessary to yield to a very superior force in infantry, supported by numerous cavalry. The retreat was ordered and effected, as far as St. Marier, in good order. The enemy took from us some hundred prisoners, after having killed about 60 men. We also took prisoners and killed some.
On the side of Istria, General Peico, after having on the 13th carried the position of Lippa, on the 14th directed a column upon Fiume, where our troops entered.

War In Europe

Our readers will find, on our last page, some further intelligence from the belligerents in Germany. The most important parts of it relate to the movements of the allied northern army, and are contained in extracts, given in the London papers, from two bulletins of the Crown Prince, dated on the 20th and 22nd of September. The French official accounts, which we published two weeks since, are to the 29th of September. The last Swedish account leaves the van of two corps of the army on the left of the Elbe, whither it seemed to be the object of the whole army to move; one at Dessau, and the other at Acken, 10 miles below on the same side of the Elbe. The French account of the 29th states, that on the advance of their troops to that quarter, the Swedish division, which had crossed the river at Dessau, repassed to the right bank. From the position of Bernadotte's head-quarters, we presume that it was his intention to pass with his main body at a lower point of the Elbe than Dessau; but of the movements below Dessau, the French account gives us no intelligence, so that we cannot judge how far the Crown Prince has been successful, since the date of his own bulletin.
His detached parties had advanced on the left of the Elbe, between the Saale and the Muldau as fa as Halle, Delitzsch, and Bittersfeld, about half way between the Elbe and Leipsic, and were co-operating with Thielman, from Bohemia. On the other side of the Saale, they had advanced as far as Egeln and Wantleben, 15 or 20 miles southeasterly from Magdeburg, and in the direction of Westphalia, which, by private French accounts, we learn was in alarm. These accounts, which are some days later than the official, stated that the army of observation and the army of reserve, were diverted from their course towards Dresden, and ordered towards the mouth of the Saale, and Westphalia; and that on the 6th of October, the Russians had been at Cassell, the capital of brother, Jerome's, kingdom. These facts prove that Bernadotte had been successful in is movements.
It is intimated in the Crown Prince's bulletin of the 22nd, that Bavaria and Wurtemburgh, two of the most powerful members of the Rhenish Confederacy, are disposed to join the Allies. The army of Bavaria alone, is said to amount to 40,000 men. The desertion of these powers from Napoleon's cause, does not seem to be an improbable event; and should it take place, it would be important, not only on account of the momentary change which it would produce in the balance of the forces of the two contending parties, but because it would probably lead to a dissolution of the whole confederation.
Of the operations in the South of Germany, on account of their comparative insignificance, we have no official intelligence. Yet there are, in this quarter, large armies, and if we may judge from the many detached and often contradictory paragraphs relating to them in the French papers, they have been kept in considerable activity. The war here is sustained by the Austrians alone, on one hand, and the nominal allies of Bonaparte, the neapolitans, the Italians, and the Bavarians, on the other.
In the small compass which is allowed us, we cannot even explain the uncertain and indistinct view which we have ourselves acquired from the French papers, of the operations in this quarter. We can only state in general terms, that the army of the Viceroy, seems to have advanced a short distance into the Austrian territory on the right, towards the Save, in the neighborhood of Weichselberg, Litha and Laybach, and that the Austrians on the left, still occupy a part of the lately acquired French territory of the Tyrol. They had advanced so far as to cut off the communications between Italy and Bavaria, but they have since retired from Brixen on the 26th September, from St. Sigismond on the 29th. St. Sigismond is in the mountains about ten miles northwest of Brixen.
Brennau and Saltzburg, where the Bavarian army of General Wrede still remains, are in Bavaria, and he seems not to have made any hostile attempt upon Austria.

Latest from England and Portugal

Newport, December 4 - The brig Tybee, Capt. Read, arrived at this port on Thursday, 30 days from Lisbon. Mr. Nicholas Throndike, Jr. Of Beverly, a passenger in this vessel, has politely favored the Editors of the Mercury with London papers to the 14th of October. Although the accounts by this arrival, from the theater of war in the North of Europe, are not so late as were brought by the arrival at New Bedford, from France, yet our extracts from the London papers will be found highly interesting.
No Lisbon papers were brought by the Tybee. Mr. Thorndike, being in Lisbon only a few hours, was unable to obtain any papers. He verbally reports, that about the 8th of October, Lord Wellington was before Bayonne, which it was said would soon surrender; that the French had again been defeated in endeavoring to relieve Pampaluna. A letter from an English officer in the Allied Army before Pampaluna, stated, that although the garrison was very much reduced, yet the prevalent opinion was, that it would hold 30 days longer.
We do not observe a single article in our London papers on the subject of the Russian mediation; and the only mention which is made of our commissioners is in the following articles, which we find in the Star, of the 6th October and the Post, of the 12th:
"The American Plenipotentiaries are at St. Petersburgh, it is said, lately wrote to the Emperor, requesting to be received at head-quarters. To this application, his Imperial Majesty returned a polite answer, declining the proposal, on the ground that there was not sufficient accommodation for their Excellencies in that situation." -- Star.
"The American Plenipotentiaries, we find, made an application to the Emperor of Russia, requesting to be received at head-quarters, which his Majesty declined as politely as wisely. The predilection of their government for the French infused a very just suspicion; and, but last year, Joel Barlow was in the suite of Bonaparte, although he did not stand the climate so well." -- Post.

The London papers contain a Proclamation addressed by the Crown Prince of Sweden to the Saxons, on the entrance of his troops into their territory. It is an interesting document, and calculated to produce a strong impression, not only in Saxony and Germany, but in the French army. According to the Crown Prince, great dissatisfaction prevailed throughout the Saxon territories; and from the patriotic spirit manifested, it was expected that 100,000 men would soon be in arms to assist the Allies in the liberation of Germany.
The Star of the 12th of October, contains letter from the Crown Prince of Sweden, to his old master, Napoleon, dated "Head Quarters, Zerbst, Sept. 16." A pressure of our other matter compels us to postpone it's publication until our next. This letter is an answer to a note of the Duke of Bassano to Bonaparte, on the war with Sweden, and breathes a spirit highly honorable to the Crown Prince.

War in Germany

London, October 13 -- Large detachments of troops embarked at Portsmouth yesterday for the Peninsula.
This morning two Gottenburgh mails arrived, and also Captain Bloomfield, with despatches for government. The intelligence is highly gratifying, as will be seen from the following details:
The packet left Gottenburgh on the 5th instant.
On the 17th ult. Napoleon, in person, attacked the posts of the Allies at Hollendorf, but was repulsed by the Austrians, with the loss of 7 cannon, one eagle, and 4000 prisoners, including a General. The whole loss of the enemy since the rupture of the armistice is estimated at above 100,000 men, besides cannon and baggage.

Gottenburg, October 5 -- A letter received from Stralsund on the 30th ultimo, says: "I have just time to say, that the Allies have taken Pigon." Pigon is about ten miles from Leipsic.
Accounts from the same quarter state, that they are in daily expectation of the fall of Stettin. The garrison, being very much in want of provisions, has already offered to capitulate, but their terms were not accepted.

Berlin Gazette -- (Extra paper)
We have just received the following from Head-Quarters at Toplitz, dated September 20 -- The Imperial Major-General Baron Schluter has executed the order given to him to march on Freiburg, with the precision and courage for which he is so well known. He posted himself on the evening of the 17th instant, in ambush at Bertzdorf, near Freiburg, and by that means appeared unexpectedly before the gates early on the morning of the 18th.
The enemy had shut up the town, and all the gates were manned with infantry.
Gen. Schluter caused several divisions to advance by circuitous roads against the Musner and Dono gates, whilst he himself, led the main column against the Erbersdorf gate. The enemy defended himself with great obstinacy, but at length, the Erbersdorf gate was broke open, and some divisions of cavalry immediately galloped into town, and after a short resistance, made the garrison prisoners.
General Bruno, 29 staff and superior officers, 400 mounted hussars, and 228 infantry, fell into our hands. Our total loss consists in one yager killed, and three wounded.
Gen. Schluter praises the distinguished conduct of his troops, of all descriptions.
25,000 fine looking men of the Austrian army, arrived in Toplitz on the 12th.
In the occupation by the Allies of Freiburg, we have another proof how much the enemy are hemmed in at Dresden. Frieburg is about 20 miles to the southwest of Dresden, and on the mountain road to Leipsic.
The Stralsund papers of the 25th and 26th of September, contain two Bulletins from the Crown Prince, dated "Head-Quarters, at Zerbst." (Upper Saxony) September 20th and 22nd. The former mentions, that in the night between the 16th and 17th, two companies of the regiment, Joseph Napoleon, consisting of 164 men, with a Chief of Battalion and two officers, deserted to the advanced posts of the Crown Prince near Bredinitz; they were carried to the Head Quarters of his Highness, whence they will be sent back to Spain. It also states, that a part of the landstrum of Preignitz, under the command of Major Von Puttlitz, has crossed the Elbe, and taken possession of the environs of Sechausen and Osterberg -- Gen. Thielman has made a Gen., 47 officers and 1200 men prisoners at Weissenfels. On the 14th, the Cossacks took, at Wurtzen, a convoy of wagons laden with corn, which was destined for the garrison at Torgau. Col. Von Menzdorf has intercepted couriers whose despatches expose the bad condition and demoralization of the French army. The want of forage at Dresden was so great, that for some time past, 200 horses have daily died there.
Gen. Blucher has his head quarters at Bautzen, by his right wing he continues his operations with those of the united army of the north of Germany; and by his left wing he is connected with the Bohemian army.
The 2nd Bulletin, among other things, states that on the 17th, the Emperor Napoleon, in person, attacked the post at Nollendorf, in the Bohemian Passes, but was repulsed by the Austrian Generals Colloredo and Meir, with the loss of seven pieces of cannon, one standard and 4000 prisoners, among whom is the Gen. of Brigade, Kreuzer.
Since the conclusion of the Armistice, the United Northern German Armies have taken above 28000 prisoners. >From the 17th of August to the 13th of September, 18,257 private soldiers, and 299 officers, prisoners, have passed through Berlin.
Above 2000 were on their way thither. Between 2 and 3000 sick have been left in the hospitals of Juierbock, Trenenbriezesen, Belziz, and Bradenburg; and the corps of Count Valmoden, which sends its prisoners to Stralsund, has taken above 4000. When to those are added the killed, wounded and missing, the loss of the army acting against the Northern German army, may be estimated at nearly 43,000 men since the 17th of August.
The prisoners made by Gen. Blucher, and the Grand Bohemian army, amount to 40,000. Without exaggeration, therefore, the whole loss of the enemy, since the late commencement of hostilities, may be estimated at more than 100,000 men and 250 pieces of cannon.
If, as every thing seems to lead us to expect, Bavaria and Wurtemburg should join the Allies, Napoleon will not have more than 150,000 French to employ in the field.
This Bulletin also states, that the enemy has not any more strong positions on the left of the Elbe, from Witenberg to Schonelbeck. His advanced posts are still between the last mentioned place and Magdeburg. Our detached parties have penetrated as far as Halle, where they have put themselves in connection with corps under the brave Thielman; and from thence as far as Delestch and Billerfield, and on the left wing as far as Egeln and Wantleben. The van guard of the Russian army, under Count Von Woronzoff is at Aiken, on the left bank of the Elbe. The Swedish van guard, under Gen. Schulbentium, is at Dessau. The Crown Prince has entrusted the siege of Witenberg to Gen. Bulow.

London, Oct. 14 -- By mails from Gottenburgh, we have received advices to the 6th inst. A Russian and Swedish Messenger came passengers in the packet, charged with despatches for their respective Ministers; and also Captain Bloomfield, charged with despatches from Sir C. Stewart, the substance of which was communicated in the following Bulletin from the Foreign Office:
"Despatches have been received from Sir C. Stewart, dated Prague, the 17th and 19th of September.
The military details given in them refer to strong reconnoisances on the part of the Allies and enemy, in which several acts of gallantry were conspicuous; but no event of importance occurred till the 16th, when the 2nd, 4th, and 14th corps, under Bonaparte, with his guards, forming altogether a corps of 30,000 infantry, and 8,000 cavalry, attacked the Allies near Peterswalde, and drove them by superior numbers, through Nollendorf. The commander of the Prussian cavalry was made prisoner. TheAllied troops having retired to the gorge of the mountains, on the following day, when near Culm, their right, left and center under Wittgenstein, Colloredo and Pahlen, were successively attacked, but they succeeded in repulsing the enemy at all points. The movement of Count Colloredo is spoken of in terms of the highest praise.
The enemy lost between 2 and 3000 prisoners, and a general of division, Kreutzer, with many officers and ten guns. The loss of the Allies is estimated at 1000 killed and wounded."

The affair referred to above, is the same which was noticed by Bonaparte, in a report of the 19th ult. In which the Allies were represented as having been driven l'epee dans les reins, into the plains of Toplitz. Bonaparte's official note to the Empress concluded by stating that he had returned on that day to Pirna. The reasons of his return -- his having been repulsed at all points -- having lost a general of division, many officers, between 2 and 3000 men, and 10 guns, we suppose, were of too little importance to be noticed.

In addition to the intelligence received from France through the medium of the printed journals, there are private communications in town of no slight importance.
The conscription is described as going on slowly; from what cause we are not informed. Kellerman (Duke of Valmy) who is stationed at Frankfort to receive and organize an army of reserve, complains that he cannot undertake to keep open his communications with Saxony with his present force, which it is said does not exceed 22,000 men. No sooner does he receive a few conscripts, than he is obliged by requisition, to furnish double their number, to fill up the casualties of the Grand Army on the Elbe. The weakness of the army of reserve is thus accounted for.
They affect to say at Paris that Bonaparte will be able to keep the Elbe for the winter, provided he can keep up his communications with France. These are interrupted, however, in all directions, and upon this interruption we found our hopes of his utter discomfiture.
The French Funds have again suffered a fresh depression, and the last accounts from Paris left them at 54, having fallen within a few days 15 per cent.

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