Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

4 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

w:.,. LONDON.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

w: LONDON. FRIDAY, August 20. "We subjoin thcProclamatioll addressed by Soult to his army, previous to his leading them to !he Pyrenees. It will be at once seen- from the tone assumed in this document, com- pared with the subsequent results, how utterly the French Marshal was disappointed 111 his expectations, and that after thus boasting- to 'his troops, his mortification in defeat must have been extreme. We understand, however, that nothing had done up to the IlIh instant. Both ar- mies, it is said, were then in sight of each •other, but no action had taken place since the date of his Lordship's last dispatches. It is to observe in the Proclamation of Souit the harsh terms in which he speaks of Joseph and Jourdan The events of the campaign, so disastrous to the French arms, are attributed, without qualification, to their .jmsillanimiiy and the result of the battle of YiUona Marshal Soult thinks would have been favourable, had the Commander been worthy of /,is I roups, What is his opinion of the bat- tles of the Pyrenees? PROCLAMATION OF MARSHAL SOU LT. To be read by a Commanding Officer -at the head of CompanÙ;" in each Re¡:íment. SOLDIERS !—The recent events of the war have induced his lYiajesty the Emperor to invest ihe, by an Imperial Decree of the 1st inst. with the command of the armies of Spain, and to ho- nour me with the flattering title of his Lieute- ?I:/llt' Tiie hull distinction cannot but convey to tily niind sensations of gratitude and joy but they are lIotunalloyed with regret at the train of events which have, .in the opinion of his Ma- jesty, rendered such an appointment necessary in Spain. 11 It is knowr) to you, Soldiers, that the enmity of Russia, roused into active hostility by the ttfernal enemy of the Continent, made it incum ben; that numerous armies should be assembled in Germany early in the spring. For this pur- pose were many of your comrades withdrawn.— The Emperor himself assumed the command; and the as-riis of France, guided by his powerful and commanding genius, achieved a succession of as brilliant victories as any that adorn the annajs of our country. The presumptuous hopes -of aggrandisement entertained by the enemy yere confounded. Pacific overtures were made; and the Emperor, always inclined to consult the welfare of his subjects, by following moderate councils, listened to the proposals that were aiade. While Germany was thus the theatre of great events, that enemy who, under pretence of succouring the inhabitants of the Peninsula, but in reality (levoted them to ruin, was not inactive He assembled the whole of his disposable force, English, Spaniards, and Portuguese, under his most experienced Officers and relying upon the superiority of his numbers, advanced in three divisions, against (he French force, assembled on the Douro. With well provided fortresses in his front and rear, a sktlfui General, enjoying the confidence of his troops, miht, by selecting good positions, have discomfited this motley levy. But unhappily, at this critical period, timorous and pusillanimous councils were fol- lowed. The fortresses were abandoned and blown up hasty and disorderly marches gave confidence to the enemy and a veteran army, small indeed in number, but great in all that constitutes the military character, which had fought, bled, and triumphed in every pro- vince of Spain, beheld with indignation its laurels tarnished, and itself compelled to abandon all its acquisitions-the trophies of many a well fought and hloody day. When at length the indignant voice of the troops arrested this shameful flight, and its Connnander touched with shame, yielded to the general desire, and determined upon giv- ing battle near Vittoria, who can doubt, from this generous enthusiasm, this tine sense of ho- nour, what would have been the result had the General been worthy of his troops? had he, in short, made those dispositions and movements which would have secured to one part of his army the co operation and support of the other ? Let us not, however, defraud the enemy of the praise which is due to him. The disposi- tions and arrangements of their General have been prompt, skilful and consecutive. The va- lour and steadiness of his troops have been praiseworthy. Yet do not forget (bat it is to the benefit of, our example they owe their pre sent military charader; and thai whenever the relative duties ofa French Genera! and his troops have heen ahly fulfilled, their enemies have com- iiionly had no other resource tban flight. Soldier's — 1 partake of your chagrin, your grief, your indignation. I know that the hlame of the present situation of the army is imputable to others—be the merit of repairing it your's. I have b,rnp festimony to the Emperor of your bravery and zeal. His instructions are to drive the enemy from those lofty heights which enable him proudly to survey our fertile vallies, and chase them across the Ebro. It is on the Spanish" soil that your feats must next be pitched, and from rheuce vour resources drawn. No (I i fricii I ties can be insurmountable to your valour and devotion Let us, then, exert ourselves with mutual ardour and be assured, that nothing can give greater felicity to the paternal heart of the Emperor, than the knowledge of the triumphs of his army—of its increasing glory-of its hav- ing rendered itself worthy of trim, and of our dear country. Extensive but combined movements for the relief of the fortresses are upon the eve of tak- ing place. They will becompleted in a fewdays. Let the account of our success be dated from Vittoria—and the birth-day of his Imperial Ma- jesty be celebrated in that city so shall we ren- net memorable an epoch deservedly dear to all Frenchmen. (Signed) SOULT, Duke of Dalmatia, July.23d. Lieut, de I'Empereur."

CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN SLOOP…

POLITICAL SUMMARY.

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