84 SIEGE OF AREQUIPA, Chap. V. 



afterwards establishing his head-quarters at the village of 

 Sachaca, some miles below the city, on the banks of the river 

 Chile. A detachment occupied Tiavaya, to cut off Vivanco's 

 communication with Islay. 



The people of Arequipa were now hard at work to place 

 the city in a proper state of defence ; barricades were erected 

 in the most important streets, and day and night the Cholos 

 were under arms. But, suftplies having now entirely ceased 

 from the custom-house at Islay, Vivanco found himself in 

 great difficulties ; for people, having little faith in the success 

 of his revolution, were unwilling to advance money in ex- 

 change for his vales or promissory notes, even at a discount of 

 fifty per cent. The needy Regenerator then resorted to more 

 violent methods of raising money, and, breaking open several 

 of the principal shops, began to sell their contents to the 

 highest bidder. 



Castilla made constant sham attacks upon the town, which 

 kept the inhabitants in a continual state of alarm ; but all his 

 supplies were derived from Arica, by way of Tacna, as the 

 port of Islay remained in the hands of Vivanco's party. This 

 was his weak point ; and when the ' Apurimac ' arrived off 

 Arica, and her commander Montero, after a sharp street 

 fight, got possession of that port in February, 1858, Castilla 

 found himself in a position of great difficulty. His supplies 

 were entirely cut off, and it became necessary for him to 

 assault Arequipa at all hazards. Accordingly he moved from 

 his quarters at Sachaca and Tiavaya, marched round the 

 south side of the city, and early in the morning of March 

 5th, 1858, commenced an attack on the eastern subiu'bs. His 

 troops first stormed the church of San Antonio, and then 

 advanced to the attack of San Pedro, which had also been occu- 

 pied by the besieged. Here the Cholos held theii- ground for 

 four hours, from eight to twelve a.m., in spite of the desperate 

 attacks of Castilla's best troops, and the well-directed fire of 



