God preserve your Excellencies many years.
(Signed) Santiago Liniers.
To their Excellencies Sir C. Stirling
and Sir S. Achmuty.
Coral de Miserala, July 2, 1807.
Sir,—I had the honour to report to you, for the information of the Commander of the forces, that the advanced corps of the army now occupy a position, the centre of which is across the prolongation of the centre street of Buenos Ayres. I have taken most of the cattle intended for the consumption of the city for this day, and occupy the principal coral. I have secured 20,000 lbs. of biscuit, and my corps is fully supplied with it; spirits I am searching for, and I have hopes that I shall be able to secure some; to what extent I do not yet know. I sent to report to you, yesterday evening, immediately after the action, in which I stated we had taken eight pieces of cannon, I now find it increased to ten, many prisoners, and a great quantity of arms and ammunition. General Liniers and Colonel Ellio were both present. Supposing that a considerable impression may have been made by so complete a defeat as this considerable portion of their force has sustained, I have sent in a summons to General Liniers, at first verbally only, to discover how they appeared to feel in the town. Colonel Ellio met Brigade-Major Roache who went with the flag, and requested that they might receive a written proposal. I have now, therefore, sent one, founded on the instructions I received yesterday by Colonel Bourke.
I believe it will not be difficult to, nearly if not entirely, invest the town by placing about 1000 on my right towards the Chuello, and all the rest on my left towards the Recollata, having that in the rear. The centre of the town makes a salient angle; it appears to me, therefore, that our centre should be a little refused, and our flanks thrown forward, as the right will be rested on the Chuello, and the left secured by the Plata; but this of course must be regulated by the better judgment of the Commander of the forces.—I have the honour to be, &c.
J. Levison Gower,
Major-General.
Lieutenant-Colonel Torrens,
&c. &c. &c.
Sentence.
The court-martial having duly considered the evidence given in support of the charges against the prisoner, Lieutenant-General Whitelocke, his defence, and the evidence he has adduced, are of opinion that he is guilty of the whole of the said charges, with the exception of that part of the second charge which relates to the order that “the columns should be unloaded, and that no firing should be permitted on any account.”