Of the lofs fuftained by the enemy, the reports are fo various, that I cannot venture to fay any thing decifive; but, from all circumftances, I have reafon to think it must have exceeded 4000 men. Seven pieces of cannon, and a great proportion of tumbrils, were taken. The prifoners having been immediately fent to the Helder, I cannot at prefent give any ftatement of their number, but I do not believe it exceeds a few hundred men.

Under Divine Providence this fignal victory, obtained over the enemy, is to be attributed to the animating and perfevering exertions which have at all times been the characteristics of the British foldier, and which on no occafion were ever more eminently displayed; nor has it often fallen to the lot of any general to have fuch juft caufe of acknowledgement for the diftinguithed fupport he that day experienced from the officers under his command.

I cannot, in fufficient terms, exprefs the obligations I owe to general fir Ralph Abercrombie, and lieutenant-general Dundas, for the able manner in which they conducted their respective columns, whofe fuccefs is in no fmall degree to be attributed to their perfonal exertions and example. The former had two horfes fhot under him.

I muft alfo ftate my warm ac- knowledgements to lieutenant-general Hulfe, major-generals lord Chatham, Coote, D'Oyley, Burrard, and Moore, for their fpirited efforts upon this occafion, and the abilities which they fhewed in the conduct of their refpective brigades. The latter, by his ability and perfonal exertion, very materially con

tributed to the fuccefs of his column; and although feverely wounded through the thigh, continued in action for nearly two hours, until a fecond wound in the face obliged him to quit the field. Much praife is due to major-general Hutchinfon, for the manner in which lie led the 5th, or lord Cavan's brigade; and I hope it will not be confidered as an improper intrufion, if I take this occafion to exprefs my fincere regret that an unfortunate blow from a horfe, in going into action, by fracturing his leg, fhould have deprived me of his lordship's fervices. Colonel M'Donald diftinguifhed himfelf by his ufual spirit and ability in the command of the referve, as did lord Paget, who commanded the cavalry upon the beach, and whofe exertions are deferving of every praife. Nor muft I omit expreffing my thanks to lieutenantcolonels Whitworth and Smyth, who commanded the artillery of referve, and to major Judfon, of the horse-artillery. The detachment of feamen, under the command of captains Goddard and Jurcoing, were, upon this, as upon a former occafion, of the moft effential fervice, in the direction of the gun-boats. The conduct of majorgeneral Knox, who was attached to the column of Ruffian troops, was fuch as to afford me the greatest satisfaction.

I enclose the returns of the lofs of the British and Ruffian troops, and must repeat my fincere regret that the advantages we have obtained (however brilliant), have beep fo dearly bought. In clofing this difpatch, I cannot deny myfelf the pleature of expreffing my appro bation of the staff of my army, and

79th ditto-Captain James Campbell, of the grenadiers, killed; colonel Allen Cameron, lieutenant M'Donald, lieutenant M'Neil, lieutenant Rofe, wounded.

92d ditto-Captain Wm. M'Intof, lieutenant Alexander Frazer, lieutenant Gordon M'Hardy, killed; colonel marquis of Huntley, captain John Cameron, captain Alexander Gordon, captain Peter Grant, lieutenant G. Frazer, lieutenant Charles Chad, lieutenant Donald M'Donald, enfign Charles Cameron, enfign John Macpherfon, enfign James Bent, wounded; captain John M'Lean, wounded and taken prifoner.

2d battalion of 17th ditto-LieuVynne, lieutenant Morrison,

tenant W wounded.

Ift battalion of the 20th footCaptain Pawlett, wounded."

2d battalion of ditto-Enfign Mills, wounded.

63d foot-Captain M'Niver, lieutenant Lee Gitte, enfign Hall, wounded.

1ft battalion of the 4th footEnfign T. B. Carruthers, wounded.

31ft foot-Enfign P. King, wounded.

23d foot-Lieutenant A.M'Lean, lieutenant William Keith, wounded.

55th foot-Major William Lumfden, killed; lieutenant W. H. Dixon, wounded.

Royal navy-Lieutenant Rowad, and 3 feamen, wounded.

Alex. Hope, Affiftant adjutant-general.

The enemy, after the action of the 2d, having taken up the pofition between Beverwyck and Wyckop-Zee, I determined to endeavour to force him thence before he had an opportunity of ftrengthening, by works, the fhort and very defenfible line which he occupied, and to oblige him ftill farther to retire, before he could be joined by the reinforcements, which I had information were upon their march.

Preparatory, therefore, to a general forward movement, I ordered the advanced posts, which the army took up on the 3d inftant, in front of this place, of Egmont-op-te-Hooff and Egmont-op-Zee, to be pushed forward, which operation took place yesterday morning. At firft little oppofition was fhewn, and we fucceeded in taking poffeffion of the villages of Schermerhoorn, Acher Sloot, Limmen, Baccum, and of a pofition on the fand-hills near Wyckop-Zee; the column of Ruflian troops, under the command of major-general D'Eflen, in endeavouring to gain a height in front of their intended advanced poft at Baccum,

I 3

(which

(which was material to the fecurity of that point), was vigorously oppofed, and afterwards attacked by a ftrong body of the enemy, which obliged general fir Ralph Abercrombie to move up in fupport with the referve of his corps. The enemy on their part advanced their whole force; the action became general along the whole line, from Limmen to the fea, and was maintained with great obftinacy on both fides until night, when the enemy retired, leaving us mafters of the field of battle. The conflict how ever has, I am concerned to state, been as fevere, and has been attended with as ferious a lofs (in proportion to the numbers engaged), as any of thofe which have been fought by the brave troops compofing this army fince their arrival in Holland. The gallantry they difplayed, and the perfeverance with which they fupported the fatigues of this day, rival their former exertions. The corps engaged were,

Major-general D'Oyley's brigade of guards.

Major-general Burrard's ditto. Major-general earl of Chatham's brigade.

Major-general Coote's ditto. Major-general the earl of Cavan's brigade, commanded by majorgeneral Hutchinson.

The referve, under the command of colonel M'Donald.

Part of the 7th and 11th light dragoons.

And feven battalions of Ruffians.

To general fir Ralph Abercrombie, and the other general officers in command of the brigades before mentioned, as also to colonel M'Do

nald, my warmeft acknowledgements are due, for their fpirited and judicious exertions during this affair; nor ought I to omit the praife due to colonel Clephane, commanding four companies of the 3d, and one of the Coldftream regiments of guards, who, by a fpirited charge, drove two battalions of the enemy from the post of Acher Sloot, making 200 prifoners. I have fincerely to regret, that in the courfe of the action major-general Hutchinfon received a mufket-fhot wound in the thigh, which, however, is not ferious. I have not yet received any reports of the killed and wounded, but I am apprehensive that the number of British is not lefs than 500, and that the lofs of the Ruffian troops, as far as I can understand, amounts to 1200 men. I fhall, as early as circumftances poffibly admit, tranfinit particular returns.

The lofs of the enemy, upon this occafion, has been very great; and, in addition to their killed and wounded, 500 prifoners fell into our hands. I am, &c.

Frederick.

Right hon. Henry Dundas, &c. &c. &c.

Head-quarters, Schagen Brug, October 9.

Sir,

I have already acquainted you with the refult of the action of the 6th inftant, which terminated fuccefsfuly to the allied arms, and at the fame time pointed out the neceffity of the movement which produced this affair. From the pri fouers taken, upon the 6th inftant, I learnt the certainty of the enemy having been reinforced fince the

action of the 2d, by two demi-brigades, amounting to about 6000 infantry, and of their having ftrengthened the pofition of Beverwyck, and fortified ftrongly in the rear of it, points which it would ftill be neceflary to carry, before Haerlem could be attacked. It ought alfo to be ftated, that the enemy had retired a large force upon Purmirind, in an almost inacceffible pofition, covered by an inundated country, and the debouchés from which were ftrongly fortified, and in the hands of the enemy; and farther, that as our army advanced, this corps was placed in our rear. But fuch obftacles would have been overcome, had not the state of the weather, the ruined condition of the roads, and total want of the neceflary fupplies, arifing from the above caufes, prefented difficulties which required the most ferious confideration. Having maturely weighed the circumftances in which the army was thus placed, and having felt it my duty on a point of fo much importance, to confult with general fir Ralph Abercrombie and the lieutenant-generals of this army, I could not but confider, and their opinion was unanimous on the fubject, that it would be for the benefit of the general caufe to withdraw the troops from their advanced pofition, in order to wait his majefty's farther inftructions. I muft requeft you will again reprefent to his majefty the diftinguished conduct of his army; which, whilst acting under the preflure of uncommon difficulties, never for a moment ceased to be actuated by the nobleft feelings for the fuccefs of the public caufe, and the honour of the British arms. As there are many points refulting from our pre

fent fituation, upon which you may require particular information, and fuch details as cannot be brought within a letter, I have thought it neceffary to charge my fecretary, colonel Brownrigg, with this difpatch, who will be able to explain fully all matters relating to this army. I tranfmit a return of killed, wounded, and miffing, of his majefty's and the Ruffian troops, in the action of the 6th inftant. I most heartily lament that it has again been fo ferious, and that fo many brave and valuable men have fallen.

I am yours,

Frederick.

Right hon. Henry Dundas, &c. &c. &c.

Return of killed, wounded, and miffing, of his Majefly's Forces, under the Command of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, in the Action of the 6th of October.

Total-2 lieutenant-colonels, 2 fubalterns, 3 tergeants, 1 drummer, 83 rank and file, 7 horfes, killed; 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 majors, 7 captains, 23 fubalterns, 1 ftaff, 23 fergeants, 666 rank and file, 13 horfes, wounded; 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, 5 captains, 11 fubalterns, 13 fergeants, 2 drummers, 569 rank and file, miffing.