BATTLE OF FUENTES AND CAPTURE OF

ALMEIDA.

On the 28th of April, Lord Wellington established his head quarters at Villa Formosa. The numerical strength of the enemy amounted to forty thousand infantry, and five thousand cavalry, while Wellington could only muster an effective force of thirty six thousand men, of which not more than two thousand were cavalry. Notwithstanding this disparity, he determined to oppose Massena in his attempt to relieve Almeida; and accordingly concentrated his army to give battle.

Almeida stands on the right of the Coa, a river of considerable magnitude, which from the steepness of its banks, affords few points at which it can be crossed by an army. The bridge immediately in rear of Almeida is within range of the guns of the fortress, and at the period in question was so dilapidated as to be nearly impassable. There is another at Castello Bom, about two leagues above Almeida; but this also was a most difficult communication. A little higher up there is a ford but between that point and Sabugal, the river cannot be crossed. At the latter place, the road from Ciudad Rodrigo leads across a stone bridge, affording the only safe and convenient communication in case of retreat.

Lord Wellington, therefore, was naturally anxious to adopt a position which should enable him

at once to protect the approach to Almeida, and cover this important line of communication. He was fully aware, however, that the great extension of front thus rendered necessary, was highly disadvantageous; and, from the first, he contemplated the probability of being forced by circumstances to relinquish the communication by Sabugal, and concentrate his army in a more confined position, for the protection of Almeida alone.

Between the Duas Casas and the Touron rivers, both of which run nearly parallel to the Coa, is à range of easy heights, along which Lord Wellington formed the centre of his army. In front of these is the village of Fuentes d'Honore, which, though not strictly speaking embraced in the position, was held as an advanced post, and contributed materially to its strength. General Houston with the seventh division, was posted on the extreme right of the lines, and a body of Spanish cavalry, under Don Julian Sanchez, was placed in the village of Nava d'Aver about two miles beyond it, to add to the security which that flank derived from the extreme difficulty of the ground in its rear of Fuentes d'Honore,their light infantry' occupying the village. The sixth and light divisions were posted in rear of Almada, where the Duas Casas is crossed by a bridge. The fifth division formed the extreme left of the line, and guarded the great road to Almeida, with its flank resting on Fort Conception. The Portuguese bri

gade of General Pack, supported by a British battalion, was employed in blockading Almeida. On the third of May, the enemy appeared in front of the position, and took post on a ridge which overhangs the village of Fuentes d'Honore, nearly parallel to that occupied by the allies. A brisk skirmish took place between the light troops, followed by a heavy cannonade, and a desperate attack on the village. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, with the light-infantry battalions of the first and third divisions, maintained this post with great gallantry and resolution; but fresh numbers of the enemy, pouring on to the attack, it was found necessary to support him successively with the seventy-first, the seventy-ninth, and the twenty-fourth regiments. The contest was continued on both sides with great obstinacy and perseverance, till the approach of night, when the assailants repulsed in all their efforts, took advantage of the darkness to retire.

On the morning of the 5th, the French army were observed to have made a general movement; and the corps of Junot, with all the cavalry, appeared in two columns, on the opposite side of the valley of the Duas Casas, in front of Poco Velho. Wellington, in consequence, sent the light division and the cavalry to the support of Gen. Houston, and the first and third divisions also made a movement to their right.

About seven o'clock the enemy drove in the advanced guard of the British, and took possession

of the village of Poco Velho. The cavalry under General Montbrun, having driven Don Julian Sanchez from Nava d'Aver, now executed a general charge, supported by infantry and guns, and forced the British cavalry to retire in some confusion.

Though this attack was repulsed, the numerous cavalry of the enemy were observed to be collecting on the right flank, while large masses of infantry were forming in front. Under these circumstances, Lord Wellington decided on withdrawing his army to a more concentrated position, and giving up the communication by Sabugal. The seventh and light divisions were directed to retire, and a new alignment was taken up, extending from the Duas Casas to the Turon, nearly at right angles with that in which the army had hitherto been formed. The seventh division was posted on a height beyond the Turon, which commanded the whole plain to Frenada; and the cavalry and light division, to which I was attached, were directed to form in reserve, in rear of the left of the first division.

This retrogressive movement was executed with · the most perfect regularity, though pressed by the enemy's cavalry, which strongly supported by artillery, made repeated charges on the retiring divisions. During this movement the Chasseurs Brittanniques in particular, distinguished themselves. They repulsed a furious charge; and by

a well directed flanking fire, compelled the French to retire with considerable loss. The conduct of the horse-artillery, under Captain Bull was also admirable. Nothing could exceed the skill and boldness with which it was manoeuvred ; and thus supported, the infantry accomplished its retrogression in unbroken order, and with a loss far inferior to that of the enemy.

When the division reached their gound, the cavalry, in pushing through the intervals of the new alignment, occasioned some confusion; and taking instant advantage of this circumstance, General Montbrun ordered his whole cavalry to charge. In order to protect the retiring division, the line of march had been flanked by two brigades of guns, which instantly opened fire on the approach of the enemy. The infantry likewise poured in several volleys; and, thus severely handled, the French cavalry retreated in confusion, and Montbrun desisted from further effort.

In the meanwhile the sixth corps, which during these events remained opposite to Fuentes d'Honore, had made strenuous efforts to gain possession of that important post. About nine in the morning, several brigades of artillery were brought opposite to the village, and pointed in readiness to fire. At length on a given signal, the whole of their guns opened fire on the village, and several columns of infantry moved forward to the attack.