Richmond Enquirer

SPANISH-AMERICA.
NORFOLK, April 9.

By the schooner Fame, Captain Cobb, from Barbadoes, we received a Barbados Mercury, of the 22d of March, which contains the following very interesting intelligence.

FROM SOUTH-AMERICA.
Bridgetown, March 22.

Our last, we have an account of the success that had attended the operations of the Venezuelan Army in a recent contest with the native troops of Spain, whose situation, if dependence may be placed in the statements of the other party, must be truly deplorable. The result of the battle that was last fought (as far as our information goes) will be seen by the following-

Bulletin of the Republican Army of Venezuela.

The Spanish army under the command of Brig. Gen. Real, which had been organized at Orinoco and Chaguaramas, composed of European Spanish troops, to the number of 2000, yesterday with the division of Clarines, in the position called the Tuncal. At day break yesterday the enemy forces were within musket shot of this city, by the Laurica road. At 7 A. M. the body of Spanish troops filed off, and took possession of the bridge without firing a shot, traversing the city, which we had previously deserted without giving more than our quarters of San Francisco hot of our position; but drawn on by a brave detachment of cavalry instantly sent to annoy them, they precipitated themselves within half musket shot. The battle continued here for three hours, with only one of our infantry who kept up very smart and the enemy losing on their part more than half their troops. The Reserve brigade beaten for the battalion of Margarita, under the orders of their brave commander, Perez, dislodged the enemy from the city, obliging them to pass the river. This gallant officer fell at the moment he took possession of the bridge. This small corps of Margarita then received orders to fall back on our positions. The enemy finding themselves nearly cut off recrossed the river and marched precipitately to join the reserve which was now in positions. Our troops keeping up a heavy fire on the Spanish division forced them to shameful flight during which they never returned a single shot. But at the moment our cavalry and infantry were marching in their pursuit the division of Clarines, strong had entered into the city from the southward, as far as the principal square, and having re-occupied the bridge, obliged us to dislodge them from house to house. This operation lasted till near night, notwithstanding it was executed with the greatest rapidity and valor. In one of these assaults, the famous Chief of the Charibs of the Orinoco, Manaure, had the misfortune to perish in the midst of the Spanish troops, which he had attacked with a resolution worthy of his valor. The result of this action has been the most glorious to our arms. The only Spanish army which existed in Venezuela, has been completely beaten. Their loss in killed, wounded, prisoners and dispersed, may be calculated at one half of their forces. Their disorderly retreat will cause them to lose the rest, since each corps fled separately, as time and circumstances permitted: but for the approach of night they would not have saved a man for the ardour our troops. Bogota-the actions of each individual are worthy of a place in history. A handful of men have beaten whole corps. The officers of all classes have distinguished themselves in an heroic manner; thus we have to regret the many killed and wounded in proportion to the soldiers, who do not exceed thirty: among the former Capt. Cetino, Lieutenants Tillaroe and Tachon, and Ensign Carlajal: of the latter, Col. Hurtado, Captains Cazorta, Contreras, Bombarda, and Ballares, and Lieutenants Marzano and Gonzalez. The consequence of this day will be the speedy occupancy of the capital of Caracas. All the Llanos (cattle plains or savannas of the interior) are in possession of the troops of the Republic, which march through the interior, while those of their head quarters take possession of the capital without the least obstacle.

Head-Quarters, at Barcelona, Feb. 9.
(Signed) P. FREGTES,
Acting Maj. Gen.
A true copy:
(Signed) PEREZ, Sec'ty.

[TRANSLATION FOR THE BALTIMORE PATRIOT.]
Spanish Official Account of the Attack on Barcelona.
From the Caracas Gazette -February 2d, 1817.

The operations of the army from the 6th to the 10th of January, are contained in the following dispatch of Gen. Morales, commanding the army of operation on the east, to his excellency the captain general.

After a difficult march from the cantons of Orinoco and Chaguaramas, with a scarcity of water and provisions, arrived on the 6th inst. at Pilar, where I received information of the situation of the enemy in Barcelona. From persons worthy of credit, I learned that Bolivar, with 2000 men, armed with arrows and fire arms, had fortified himself in a convent, where he had mounted six pieces of artillery, one of 18, two of 12, two of 9, and one of 6, supplying himself with provision to resist a long siege. Notwithstanding the difficulties that presented themselves I determined to reconnoitre Barcelona, and ascertain the truth of what had been told me as I did not wish to be deceived in the least in my operations. At 5 in the morning of the 7th, I marched to Juncal, where I encamped, and joined the division of Clarines, and at 12 at night, I marched on the city. After uniting the column of chasseurs and the division of Clarines, commanded by col. Hansa, I directed them to take possession of the bridge, which separates the city from the suburb called Portugal, with the design of intercepting the cannon in canton with Morillo, and of observing him at the same time, in case he made an approach, as I repeatedly understood he intended. While this officer and col. Jimenez resisted the gallant attacks and efforts made by the enemy to recover the bridge, I attacked them on the opposite side of the river, and succeeded in driving to their strong position, such of the inhabitants as had marched out to interrupt us. A rigorous tempest during the day, and the rebels were repulsed in every attempt: and I am persuaded, that, had they not been so well fortified with the same time directed col. Urreiztieta with the companies of Granada, and three of his corps, to enter the city, and to enclose the enemy now. This was performed, and my expectations were realized. The small loss sustained by the army, as exhibited by the annexed statement, in a great measure to be ascribed to the ardor of the troops. Each corps has admired the conduct of the others. The loss of the enemy will exceed one, in killed, wounded and missing. Notwithstanding, that my designs were accomplished. I wished to make a last stratagem, to draw the enemy from their position, and in order thereto I made dispositions for a retreat to the neighborhood of the place, where I remained some hours: but observing their prudent conduct, and obliged by the scarcity of provisions, and the fatigue of the troops, I proceeded to Juncal, where I encamped and remained until 12 o'clock of the following day with the same design: but not having observed him to make any movement, I returned to Pilar, and cantoning the division of Clarines at Pirita, I await cannon to batter the edifice fortified by the rebels, with a certainty that on obtaining them their destruction is the work of but a few moments. Your excellency may be assured, that if I had had the fortune to meet with our squadron on the coast, and it would have assisted me with a few pieces of large calibre, Bolivar, with all his defenders, would have been at this moment in my power. When the chief of the staff marched to possess himself of the mouth of the river, an unavoidable misfortune happened to the women who were embarking; as four insurgent privateers, keeping up a heavy fire caused many to perish. Here follows a detail of the services rendered by and compliments to particular officers. Number of Killed, wounded and missing in the affair of the 8th.-is killed 50 wounded, 6 missing-total 69.

In consequence of these operations, says the Caracas Gazette, the city of Barcelona remains blockaded from the 8th, by all the roads, excepting that of Cumana. On the 10th, the royal squadron, which was returning to Cumana, attacked 4 vessels which it encountered near the port of Barcelona, cannonaded them, and pursued them so closely, as compelled some of them to ground. The squadron then proceeded to Cumana, from whence it will shortly return. The Gazette of the 5th March, says, on the 20th Feb the squadron returned from Cumana, with the artillery required. On the 27th, the active Chacon caused the Conojo, a beautiful pilot boat, grounded on the 12th, to be raised: and finding her not much injured has determined to arm her. The rebels presented themselves on the shore to impede this operation, but a few cannon shot caused them to disappear. The forces of the royal squadron are in possession of the Moro, and the vessels anchored before it. On the 18th February, General Morilla was at the village of San Fernando, and would shortly be in the town of Guayabozo.