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THE REPERTORY & GENERAL ADVERTISER
Boston, Tuesday, January 7, 1812
REPORT OF MARSHAL SUCHET TO THE PRINCE OF NEUFCHATEL
Official News From The Armies in Spain
Army of Arragon
Report of Marshal Count Suchet to his Highness the Prince of Neufchatel and Wagram, Major General.Monseigneur After the defeat of Obispo, on the 30th of September, I was informed that Generals O'Donnell, Villacampa, and San Juan had collected 8000 infantry and 1500 horse, at the Carthusian monastery of Porta Celi. In the night of the 1st of October, I set out with three regiments of the division Harispe, the brigade Robert, and 700 horse. We encountered the enemy's advanced guard at Betera; it made some resistance at first, but though supported by 300 dragoons, it was soon overthrown by the hussars of the 4th, and some voltigeurs of the 7th of the line.
At one in the afternoon, we perceived the enemy's camp at La Puebla da Benagnacil; their troops drawn up in two lines, announced the intention of defending themselves. Gens. Harispe and Paris, at the head of the 7th of the battalions, charged the enemy, broke them, and threw them into complete rout. The difficulty of the ground intersected with ditches, prevented us from collecting a great number of prisoners, and gave O'Donnell time to strengthen himself on the heights in the rear of the village of Benagnacil. I ordered Gen. Harispe to march against him, while Gen. Paris, on the left, pursued some parties of the enemy towards Ribaroja. Scarcely had Gen. Harispe arrived at Benagnacil, when the enemy retreated I great haste. One thousand horse, of the dragoons of Numantia, of the Maestranza, and of Valencia, then made their appearance in the plain. Colonel Christophe commanding the 4th regiment of hussars, formed two of his squadrons in column, and one in battalion, and charged them with impetuosity. This mass was overthrown and put to flight; more than 100 men were killed, and 85 taken, with two Officers and 100 horses; one party of these people fled towards Gitalgar, and another precipitately crossed the Guadalquaver, at Villamarchante. In this affair we had about 30 wounded, and 25 horses killed or wounded; which were immediately replaced. General Paris and Major Durand of the 7th, had their horses killed under them. Lemperriere, Chief of squadron of the 4th hussars; Lieut. Schmitz of the same regiment, and Capt. Gaury, of the voltigeurs of the 7th, distinguished themselves by their intrepidity.
After having driven the enemy beyond the Gaudalquaver, I have secured his complete dispersion. I am now about to push with celerity the works of the siege of Murviedro.
Blake has remained in Valencia, the tranquil spectator of two combats, in which three divisions of his army have been defeated.
Some peasants had endeavoured to form an assemblage at Onda and Lucena; Meneau, Chief of Battalion of the 121st, killed their Chief, with about 150 of his people, and dispersed the rest; these villages are occupied, and restored to tranquillity.
The garrison of the fort of Peniscola attempted a sally on the 1st instant, and with one piece of cannon attacked our advanced post at La Vende; the Chief of Battalion, Ronfor, of the 114th, in consequence advanced to support the post; the enemy was repulsed with loss, and left in our hands one Officer and eight soldiers, prisoners.
The works of San Carlos de la Rapita are advancing rapidly, and in a few days will be in a respectable state of defense.
I am, with respect &c.
Marshal Count SUCHET
Camp at Muraiedro, Oct. 3
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