Virginia Argus

ANOTHER STATEMENT OF THE LATE BATTLE.

On all sides there was a total disregard of personal danger. The leaders were mingled in the heat of the fray like the meanest soldier. The duke of Wellington was in close conversation with lord Uxbridge, when the latter received the ball in his knee. His lordship had been throughout the day foremost in danger and glory. Marshal Blucher, it is said, was for some moments a prisoner. As to Bonaparte, he was more than once inclosed among the British troops, and disentangled as it were, by miracle. He led on the guard himself to the charge, and seemed to feel that there could be no hope for its power, but in the absolute jeopardy of his life. Report states Murat and Jerome to have been both killed... Vandamme, it is said, was severely wounded and carried to Ghent.

The French after they were routed retired in the greatest disorder—they threw down their arms by whole regiments. The Prussian cavalry gave them no rest, pursuing them the whole night. All the roads were choaked with the dying and the dead, with cannon, baggage, &c. There were several thousand proclamations found, dated from the palace of Laken, near Brussels, for he had promised to be at Brussels on the 19th. The loss in killed and wounded is estimated in some accounts at 40,000 men; from 12 to 14,000 prisoners were to be in Brussels by the 21st.— The admiralty have been called upon to provide ships for 7000 prisoners from Ostend. The number of cannon taken exceeds three hundred.—

The French imperial guard is said to have been nearly destroyed. On Monday last the duke of Wellington arrived at Brussels to visit the prince of Orange and the other wounded officers. —His head quarters were at Nivelles, and he was immediately to return to the army and continue his operations. The Prussians, meantime have re entered Charleroi, Binche and Fontaine l'Eveque. The two armies expected to be in France to-day. No accounts of Bonaparte subsequent to the battle have been received. When all was lost he was seen to get on horseback and ride off with all speed.

Extract—dated "RAMSGATE, June 22. "Arrived this morning early, the Dover, capt. Stowley, regular packet from Ostend, with col. Drummond, of the Coldstream guards; captain Parmentier, in the service of Louis XVIII; and 14 passengers. Letters by this conveyance state the loss of the French to have been such as to preclude the chance of Bonaparte's making another stand. This afternoon arrived the Lark, capt. Hood, with passengers: left Ostend at 5 p. m. yesterday; they confirm to the extent what we had before learnt, the defeat, and that upwards of 200 pieces of cannon had been ascertained to be in our possession. Murat is supposed to have acted as a madman on meeting this additional chastisement, so recently having experienced the vicissitudes of fortune in another quarter. Report further states, that Bonaparte's carriage and baggage was taken, the former with the door open, and a great coat in it, unfortunately the marshal had escaped."

Extract—dated Brussels, June 19—4 P. M. Couriers arrive in rapid succession; all bring further news of the defeat of the French army, the route of which is complete: whole corps throw away their arms to fly with the greater ease; 16 regiments of cavalry pursued them closely, and do not allow a moment's respite; 10,000 Prussians have passed through Charleroi in pursuit of the enemy; prince Wm. of Prussia is arrived—he is going to the army.

June 20. We are saved! a most memorable victory crowned the efforts of our armies! Wellington is just arrived. There are 40,000 hors de combat on both sides, 200 pieces of cannon, 12 or 14,000 prisoners taken from the enemy; the whole of Bonaparte's guard destroyed; Vandamme hors de combat; one of Bonaparte's brothers killed; in short, we are all beside ourselves for joy! The brave Bulow had made a dreadful carnage with a corps of 12,000 chosen cavalry. Bonaparte had promised his troops 3 hours pillage at Brussels.

SAME DATE. The news continues to be most honorable for our armies. Our troops are still in pursuit of the enemy. Never was a victory more complete, or purchased at a more terrible price. We are assured that the Austrians have entered Alsace. The Swiss have joined the confederation with 40,000 men. In short, we breathe: for the memorable days of the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th of June, placed us in a situation to be once more brought under their terrible government. We now may hope that all will end well, and that Europe will enjoy soon the peace so much desired. Bonaparte's carriage, which the Prussians have taken, will be carried to Berlin.

From the London Statesman, June 24. Further dispatches, were received yesterday from the duke of Wellington, dated Binche, June 20, to which place his grace had removed his head quarters, after his visit to Brussels on the preceding day. Binche is about thirty miles from Brussels, and about half that way in advance of the field of battle. This movement on the part of the British, was doubtless, for the purpose of giving all possible support, necessary to Blucher's army, who are said to have continued the pursuit of the enemy beyond the frontier. The Prussian chief is stated to have entered France in the direction of Beaumont, with the view of endeavoring to get round the French line of retreat, and cutting off his remaining force:—It does not appear to us that the French have yet been compelled to give up the possession of Charleroi, which is a strong defensive position on their frontier, and on the line of the Sambre.

Some part of the melancholy roll of the killed, wounded and missing, may be expected to be given in the Gazette of this evening, for we hear the regimental returns have been received. It is stated, that the number of officers lost exceeds 1100. It is consoling however, to learn, that many of the wounded are doing well.— Great efforts are making to send out reinforcements. —A further draft was made yesterday from the life guards. The taking of prisoners seems not to have been thought of in the engagement. Never was mercy less sought or given. The 27th regiment lost in killed and wounded forty two officers out of forty four. We understand the duke of Wellington is yet far from being able to be precise in the specification of his loss. He appears to have made a good many prisoners after the great struggle. He desires that vessels may be sent to convey 10,000 to England.

It is said French papers of the 20th were received in town last night containing Bonaparte's account of the battle, but we have not been able to get a sight of any such journals. In fact, we do not believe that any Paris papers of that date have been received in town up to the moment that we write this, and still less that a paper which is published in Paris on the morning of the 20th, could contain any authentic account of the battle which lasted till the close of the 18th, and was fought at the distance of 160 miles.— The account is said to be dated from a small village near Genappe, and admits a loss of 30,000 men and a number of cannon; but the French emperor says, he himself first took them from the allies, who lost 60,000 men in the several affairs from the commencement of the 15th; that the French army had covered itself with glory, but that he had thought it proper to fall back upon marshal Mortier, who had two corps d'armee, consisting of 60,000 fresh troops, with which he would renew the attack the next day. The information communicated from the duke of Wellington, gives no reason to believe that the attack was renewed on the next day (i. e. on the 19th,) and therefore we have no credit to place in this.

The prince of Orange was not so well as could be expected, the ball not having been extracted. "Never before, (says the British commander) was I obliged to take such pains for victory, and never before was I so nigh being beaten, as on the 18th of June."

Among the things which have fallen into the hands of the victors is the grand order of the black eagle, which the king of Prussia had given to Napoleon. The insignia of the order bears the motto, "Dieu moi le veut." But a thing which history will notice, and which deserves to be recorded, is, that the victory was decided at a place called La Belle Alliance.

The carriage of the duke of Bassano has already arrived at Brussels. It will not at all surprise our readers to hear that there was a firing yesterday on the French coast. Bonaparte will claim a Victory just as he claimed it at Leipsic. Whilst these great events have been passing in the North of France, the Austrians and Russians are said to have entered Alsace; and from the French papers we find that another Austrian army has entered France near Chambery. Suchet talks of some successes on the 16th, but even if he speak truth, it was of little consequence Talleyrand was at Frankfort on the 15th. Barclay de Tolly was at Nuremberg on the 14th.— The king of Prussia had not arrived on the frontiers. He had appointed the 26th for being at Frankfort.

The Paris Moniteur of the 17th contains a very long report on foreign relations by Caulincourt occupying about seven columns of that paper.

Paris, June 18. NEWS FROM THE ARMY. Fleurus, June 17— 4 o'clock in the morning. The battle of yesterday lasted till 10 o'clock in the evening. We are still in pursuit of the enemy, who has experienced a terrible overthrow. We have hitherto 5000 prisoners, 20 pieces of cannon, and several standards, many officers of rank, among others count Lutzow. We expect at day light to collect a great number in the village of St. Amand, and others who were cut off by the movement which the emperor caused his guard to make. The grenadiers and chasseurs of the old guard massacred entire masses and have lost very few men.

It appears that it was a charge of bayonets by the imperial foot guard, which decided the battle. The enemy must have been extremely numerous. I never saw such enthusiasm in our soldiers. The columns which marched to battle, the wounded who returned from being dressed, never ceased to exclaim, "long live the emperor."

Copy of a letter from the major General to the War Minister. Fleurus, June 17. Monsieur Marshal, I announced yesterday, from the field of battle of Ligny, to his imperial highness Prince Joseph, the signal victory, which the emperor has gained. I returned here with his majesty at 11 o'clock in the evening, and it was necessary to pass the night in attending the wounded. The emperor has remounted his horse to follow the success of the battle of Ligny. It was fought with fury, and the greatest enthusiasm on the part of the troops. We were one to three.

At 8 o'clock in the evening the emperor marched with his guard: six battalions of the old guard, the dragoons, and horse grenadiers, and the cuirassiers of general Delort, debouched by Ligny, and executed a charge which separated the enemy's line. Wellington and Blucher saved themselves with difficulty; the effect was theatrical. In an instant the firing ceased, and the enemy was routed in all directions. We have already several thousand prisoners, and 10 pieces of cannon. The 6th and 1st corps were not engaged. The left wing fought against the English army, and took from it cannon and standards.

At night I will give you further details, for every instant prisoners are announced. Our loss does not appear enormous: since, without screening it, I do not reckon it more than 3,000 men. Marshal, major general duke of DALMATIA. Marshal minister Of war, prince Eckmuhl.

June 19. After the taking of Montmelian, Suchet directed a part of his force upon Geneva. Letters from the grand army mention 6,000 prisoners and 40 pieces of cannon, as fruits of the battle of the 16th, without reckoning the enormous loss of the enemy killed. The emperor had to order the recall to be beaten three times to stop the carnage of the Prussians, and to enjoin the taking of prisoners, our troops were so exasperated against the Prussians. Marshal Suchet is marching a part of his force on Geneva. Our soldiers are much irritated against the Swiss.

There is said to be a revolt in favor of Bonaparte in the king of Sardinia's dominions. CHARLEROY, June 18. On the 14th the army was placed in the following manner: The Imperial head-quarters at Beaumont. The 1st corps, commanded by general D'Erlon, was at Solre on the Sambre. The 2nd corps, commanded by gen. Reille, was at Ham-sur-Heure. The 3d corps, commanded by gen. Vandamme Was on the right of Beaumont. The 4th corps, commanded by gen. Gerard, had arrived at Philippeville.

On the 15th, at three in the morning, general Reille attacked the enemy, and marched upon Marchiennes-au-Pont. There were various engagements, in which his cavalry charged a Prussian battalion, and made three hundred prisoners. At one in the morning, the Emperor was at Jemappes sur-Heure. Gen. Daumont's division of light cavalry sabred two Prussian battalions, and made 40 prisoners. Gen. Pajol entered Charleroi at mid-day. The sappers and miners were with the advance to repair the bridges. They were first to penetrate into the town as sharp shooters.

Gen. Clary, with the first hussars, advanced upon Gosselies, on the Brussels road; and general Pajol upon Quilly on the Namur road. At 3 in the afternoon gen. Vandamme debouched with his corps in Quilly. Marshal Grouchy arrived with the cavalry of gen. Excelmans. The enemy occupied the left of the position of Fleurus: at 5 in the afternoon the Emperor ordered an attack. The position was turned and carried. Four squadrons of the guard, commanded by gen. Laforey, the Emperor's aid de camp, broke three squares, the 26th, 27th, and 28th Prussian regiments were routed. Our squadrons sabred from 4 to 500 men, and took 150 prisoners.

During this time gen. Reille passed the Sambre at Marchiennes au Pont, in order to advance upon Gosselies with the divisions of prince Jerome and gen. Bachelu, attacked the enemy, took from him 250 prisoners, and pursued him on the road to Brussels. We thus became masters of the whole position of Fleurus. At 8 in the evening the Emperor re-entered his head-quarters at Charleroi. This day cost the enemy five pieces of cannon and 2000 men, of whom 1600 are prisoners. Our loss is ten men killed and eighty wounded, the greater part belonging to the squadrons of the guard who made the charges, and three squadrons of the 20th dragoons, who also charged a square with the greatest intrepidity.—Our loss, though trifling in amount, has been sensibly felt by the Emperor, from the severe wound received by general Letort, his aid-de camp, in charging at the head of the squadrons. He is an officer of the greatest distinction—he was struck by a ball in the lower part of the belly, but the surgeons gives hopes that his wound will not be mortal.

We have found some magazines at Charleroi. The joy of the Belgians it would be impossible to describe. There were some villages which, on the sight of their deliverers, formed dances— and every where there is a movement which proceeds from the heart. In the report of the major-general of the staff, the names of the officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves, will be inserted. The Emperor has given the command of the left wing to the prince of Moskwa, who, in the A letter of the Emperor of the 16th, ends with these words, written with his own hand!—"He is going on well."


evening had his head-quarters at Quatre-Bras, on the road to Brussels. The duke of Treviso, to whom the emperor gave the command of the young guard, has remained at Beaumont, ill of the rheumatism, which has forced him to keep his bed. The 4th corps, commanded by gen. Gerard, arrives this evening at Chatelet. Gen. Gerard has stated that lieut. gen. Bourmont, col. Clouet, and the chief of squadron Villoutreys, have passed over to the enemy. 'A lieut. of the 11th chasseurs has also gone over. The maj. gen. has ordered that these deserters shall be immediately sentenced, conformably to the laws.

It would be impossible to describe the good spirit and ardor of the army. It views all the desertion of this small number of traitors, who thus throw off the mask, as a fortunate event. HaGue, June 21. The joy for the victory over Bonaparte is very great. A general illumination will take place this evening. Fouche's account of the insurrection in France is contained in the late English papers. He particularly denounces Marseilles, Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Bank of England.—The notes of the bank of England in circulation, are upwards of one hundred millions of dollars. The annual tax on which is more than four hundred thousand dollars. The subject has, however, recently caught the attention of parliament. A new bargain has just been made with the bank. It is to pay 3,500l. on every 1,000,000 in bills issued.

Eugene Beauharnais has his duchies secured to him—their revenue is 600,000l.

ENGLISH PARLIAMENT.—June 24. Yesterday in the house of lords and commons, thanks were unanimously voted to lord Wellington, and the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates under his command, for the victory of June 18. In the lords, the vote was moved by earl Bathurst. He said Bonaparte had not now to complain of any of the difficulties to which he had attributed former disasters. He chose his time, place and enemy; and had been repulsed, defeated and routed. He stated the loss of the Prussians on the 16th, at 16,000 men. In the battle of the 18th. lord W. performed occasionally all the duties from Colonel to Field Marshal.

At the close of the day Bonaparte put himself at the head of his guards, and made a vigorous attack; but the British guards met, overthrew and completely routed the choicest troops of the enemy. By despatches this day received, it appears the effects of this victory had been 5000 prisoners brought into Brussels, 2000 more on the road, and others whose arrival may be daily expected. But no intelligence has yet been received of the result of the pursuit kept up by the Prussians. The earl said that no doubt remained from the effects of this victory that the allies would obtain the object of the contest. Marshal Blucher on the 16th fell from his horse, and was confined to his bed when he heard the duke of Wellington was attacked on the 18th, and he immediately rose and placed his army in motion and himself at its head, to revenge the loss by his army on a preceding day, when no quarter was given by the enemy.

The earl also moved thanks, to marshal Blucher and the Prussian army—And to the prince of Orange, to Baron Alten—gen. Barnes, lord Somerset, &c. Conformably to a message from the prince regent, it was unanimously voted that the house would concur in granting additional provisions to the duke of Wellington. [The grant last year was 500,000l. The additional sum voted on the duke of Wellington is 200,000l.

In the house of commons the motion for thanks was made by lord Castlereagh. He remarked that the allies had been necessitated to distribute their troops with reference to the means of subsistence. He complimented Bonaparte greatly for his military talents, and the troops under his immediate command, which were the most complete and efficient corps belonging to France— and which he estimated at from 130,000 to 140,000—composed of those who returned from the prisons of the allied powers, and those veterans who had survived former battles. He characterized Napoleon as the greatest captain in the world, except the leader of the British army!!! The allied army under the duke of W. notwithstanding its achievements, was with the exception of the British, a green army, not having had opportunity to see service. Deducting the 25,000 men, who under prince Frederick of Orange, was in west Flanders, and many other detachments, the whole army under the duke of W. was not 64,000.

Lord C. asserted that the French had been obliged to leave behind half, if not more, of their artillery: but it was impossible for him to state what their loss in men amounted to. The thanks of the commons were given in the same terms and persons, as those of the lords—and followed by a similar vote as to a grant to the duke of W. Mr. Whitbread joined heartily in eulogizing the brave troops and their commanders, and added that the measures of the ministers in conducting the war had his approbation. Sir F. Burdett joined in praising the officers of the army. The general wish appeared to be for the erection of a palace for the duke of Wellington. A vote was passed giving 800,000l. to the army for military stores captured from 1802 to 1814 —the result of twelve general actions and five sieges.

Leyden, June 16. A courier, who left Brussels on the 17th. at one o'clock, and arrived on the 18th at the Hague, has brought to his Majesty the first Bulletin of the army, conceived in these terms: "Head-Quarters, at Nivelles, June 17, two in the morning. "The Prussian army was attacked very early on the morning of the 15th, in its position, which it abandoned, and retired from Charleroi, by way of Gosselies, to the environs of Fleurus. As soon as I was informed of this attack, I gave the necessary orders to the corps d'armee under my command. . . The result of what had passed in the Prussian army was, that the battalion of Orange Nassau, which occupied the village of Frasnes, with a battery of light artillery, was attacked at 5 in the afternoon on the 15th. These troops maintained their position on the height of that village, at a short distance from the road called Les Quatre Bras. The skirmishing ceased on this point at eight in the evening.

"As soon as I was informed of this attack, I gave orders to the 3d division, as well as the cavalry, and two English divisions, to march upon Nivelles, and to the second to maintain the position of Quatre Bras. Only a part of the second division could go thither immediately, because the brigade under Gen. Byland could not leave Nivelles till the other division had arrived there. The fire of the tirailleurs began at this point, this morning at 5 o'clock, and was kept up on both sides without any result, till noon. About two o'clock the attack became more severe, particularly of cavalry and artillery. The brigade of light cavalry, under General Von Merlen, not being able to get up until four o'clock, I had not till that time any cavalry to oppose the enemy. Seeing how important it was to preserve the possession of the heights of the cross-way of Quatre Bras, I was fortunate enough to maintain it against an enemy every way superior in force. Having been attacked by two corps, commanded by Generals Erlon and Reille, and having succeeded in making head against them, the Duke of Wellington had time, to collect a sufficient force to baffle the enemy's project.

"The result of this attack was. that after an obstinate combat. which lasted till nine in the evening, we had not only checked, but repulsed the enemy. "The Prussian army, which was also attacked yesterday, maintained its principal position, and there is no doubt but that Napoleon, with a considerable force, made an attack upon the whole line. "Our troops passed the night on the field of battle, whither I am going to repair, since it is very likely that Napoleon may try to execute to-day his plan of yesterday. The Duke of Wellington has collected on this point all the troops he has been able. It is with sensible pleasure I announce to your Majesty that your troops, particularly the infantry and artillery, fought with great bravery. Circumstances not having permitted me to receive the return of the losses of the different corps, I cannot lay them before you, but I shall have the honor to do as soon as possible. (Signed) WILLIAM, Prince of Orange."

Private letters add some details: they say, that the example of his Royal Highness, who was constantly in the midst of the fire, greatly contributed to the brave conduct of the Netherland troops. Count Stirum, the Prince's aid-de-camp, was wounded with a sabre, but not dangerously. Lieut. colonel Paravicini is among the wounded; but we do not learn that our troops have lost any officer of rank. The 1st and 3d corps of the Prussian army, under Generals Ziethen and Thielmann, had the greatest share in the bloody battle fought near Fleurus.

Supplement to the Journal de Leyde, June 20. Hague. June 21. The Hague Courant of to-day contains the news of the battle of the 18th, which is not so particular as those already published. The following are some passages of it: "Col. Wauthier, the Prince's aid-de-Camp, who has brought from Brussels very satisfactory accounts of his Royal Highness's health, states, that the battle was most obstinate during the whole day. Bonaparte left no means untried, to make himself master of the heights on which the English and Netherland army was posted. Braine la Leud was the key of this position. Five attacks made with the greatest fury by the enemy's cavalry, were repulsed by our squares.

"Towards evening, a last attempt was made, accompanied with a redoubled fire of grape-shot, which was defeated like the preceding. The enemy left in his retreat, a great quantity of artillery in the hands of the allies: Almost at the same time with col. Wauthier, arrived Captain Lemmers, aid-de-Camp to Gen. Constant Rebecque, his Majesty's commissioner, in the Prussian army.—He brings a letter from the general, dated on the field of battle, at Planchenoit, at half past 9 in the evening of the 18th, which shows that Bonaparte is beaten, and that the Prussian army. which was collected at Wavre, supported the Duke of Wellington at the proper time, and did great injury to the enemy, Marshal Blucher himself call out to his soldiers Children we must pursue them this night, or else they will be leaving us again to-morrow.'

"The armies were so intermingled, that the duke of Wellington encountered Marshal Grouchy. The enemy, who would not believe that it was possible to be defeated under Napoleon's command, long fought with the greatest ardor. The loss of the allies is indeed prodigious, and it is observed, that the Noble Victor, though he has not, for a moment, lost his wanted calmness, is profoundly afflicted by it. They began yesterday to make the returns of the losses of the army of the Netherlands. It was against the important points entrusted to our heroic Crown Prince that the French directed their chief attacks."

In the above official Report by colonel Wauthier there is an Erratum. We must read Five attacks made with the greatest fury by the enemy's cavalry were sustained by our squares; and bravely repulsed by our cavalry."

In the London paper of the 27th June, was contained an extract from the Paris Moniteur of the 23d June, announcing the abdication of Bonaparte. After the defeat of the 18th, Bonaparte fled in disguise to Paris. On the 21st he, in person, demanded of the Legislature more men and money. Their reply was, that he must succeed with the means he then had, or he must abdicate. He appeared much incensed, and exclaimed—"What's that you say" but he shortly after retired Fouche and Carnot were deputed to request his attendance. He returned. He was then told. that his abdication was necessary to France, and was allowed until the following day to consider of the proposal. On the 22d he offered to abdicate in favor of his son. This was rejected.— He then sent to the legislature an absolute and unconditional act of abdication, to which he said he was induced by his regard for the safety and happiness of France, &c. Messengers were immediately dispatched to the allied armies, requesting a suspension of hostilities until a new government could be organized, The allies were said