Virginia Argus

From the London Gazette.

Downing Street, Aug. 11.

A dispatch, of which the following is an extract, was this morning received at Lord Liverpool's office, addressed to his Lordship by Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, dated Alverca, July 25, 1810.

The cavalry attached to Gen. Crawford's advanced guard, remained in the villages near the Fort of La Conception, till the 21st inst. when the enemy obliged it to retire towards Almeida, and the Fort La Conception was destroyed.

From the 21st till yesterday morning, Brigadier General Crawford continued to occupy a position near Almeida, with his left within 800 yards of the Fort, and his right extending towards Junca. The enemy attacked him in this position yesterday morning, shortly after day-light, with a very large body of infantry and cavalry, and the Brig. Gen. retired across the bridge over the Coa.

In this operation I am sorry to say that the troops under his command suffered considerable loss.

The enemy afterwards made three efforts to storm the bridge over the Coa, in all of which they were repulsed.

I am informed that throughout this trying day the commanding officers of the 43d, 52d, & 95th regiments, Lieut. Col. Beckwith, Lieut. Col. Barclay, and Lieut. Col. Hull, and all the officers & soldiers of these excellent regiments distinguished themselves. In Lieut. Col. Hull, who was killed, his Majesty has lost an able and deserving officer.

Brig. Gen. Crawford has also noticed the steadiness of the 3d reg. of Portuguese chasseurs, under the command of Lieut. Col. Elder.

Since yesterday the enemy have made no movement.

Copy of Gen. Crawford's Report, enclosed in Lord Wellington's dispatch of the 25th July.

Carvethal, July 25.

My Lord—I have the honor to report to your lordship, that yesterday morning the enemy advanced to attack the light division with between 3 and 4000 cavalry, a considerable number of guns, and a large body of infantry. On the first appearance of the heads of their columns, the cavalry and brigade of artillery attached to support the picquet, and captain Ross, with 4 guns, was for some time engaged with those attached to the enemy's cavalry, which were of much larger calibre.

As the immense superiority of the enemy's force displayed itself, we fell back gradually towards the fortress, upon the right of which the infantry of the division was posted, having its left in some inclosures near the windmill, about 500 yards from the place, and its right to the Coa, in a very broken and extensive position, which it was absolutely necessary to occupy, in order to cover the passage of the cavalry and artillery through the long defile leading to the bridge. After this was effected, the infantry retired by degrees and in as good order as it is possible in ground so extremely intricate. A position close in front of the bridge was maintained as long as was necessary, to give time for the troops which had passed to take up one behind the river; and the bridge was afterwards defended with the greatest gallantry, though I am sorry to say with considerable loss, by the 43d and part of the 95th regiment. Towards the afternoon the firing ceased; and after it was dark I withdrew the troops from the Coa, and retired to this place. The troops behaved with the greatest gallantry.

(Signed)
R. CRAUFORD.

To lord viscount Wellington, &c.

Those returned as prisoners and missing were taken in charge of the enemy's cavalry just after our cavalry and guns had begun to retire.

1 Lieutenant colonel, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 8 sergeants, 29 rank and file, 3 horses killed; 1 staff, 1 major, 7 captains, 12 lieutenants, 1 ensign, 10 sergeants, 164 rank and file, 12 horses, wounded; 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant, 1 drummer, 8 rank and file, missing.

N. B. One officer of the Portuguese Chasseurs wounded, rank and name not ascertained.

(Signed)
C. STEWART,
Brig. Gen. and Adjt. Gen.