“I have sent my Report upon this action to Sir Harry Burrard, who will send it home. You will see in it that I have mentioned Colonel Burne of the 36th regiment in a very particular manner, and I assure you that there is nothing that will give me so much satisfaction as to learn that something has been done for this old and meritorious soldier. “_The_ THIRTY-SIXTH _regiment is an example to the army._ “Sir Harry did not land till late in the day in the midst of the attack, and he desired me to continue my own operations; and, as far as I am personally concerned in the action, I was amply rewarded for any disappointment I might have felt in not having had an opportunity of bringing the service to a close, by the satisfaction expressed by the army that the second and more important victory had been gained by their old General. “I have also the pleasure to add, that it has more effect than all the argument I could use to induce the General to move on, and I believe he will march to-morrow. Indeed, if he does not, we shall be poisoned here by the stench of the dead and wounded, or we shall starve, everything in the neighbourhood being already eaten up. “From the number of dead Frenchmen about the ground, and the number of prisoners and wounded, I should think their loss could not be far short of 3,000 men. The force which attacked us was very respectable, and probably not short of 14,000 men, including 1,300 dragoons and artillery, and 300 chasseurs à cheval. “Sir Hew Dalrymple arrived last night, and will land this morning. “Believe me, &c. (Signed) “ARTHUR WELLESLEY.” “The Viscount Castlereagh, &c. &c.” “GENERAL ORDERS. “_His Majesty’s Ship, “Audacious,” “18th January 1809._ “The irreparable loss that has been sustained by the fall of the Commander of the Forces (Lieut.-General Sir John Moore), and the severe wound which has removed Lieut.-General Sir David Baird from his station, render it the duty of Lieut.-General Hope to congratulate the army upon the successful result of the action of the 16th instant. “On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. “These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may employ, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield, that no circumstances can appal, and that will ensure victory when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means.