APPENDIX. 



409 



these, however, he determined to cut his way through whatever obstacles 

 might oppose him. He put himself at the head of his party, galloped full 

 speed through the town, and leaping the fosse, proceeded with intrepidity 

 to break through the enemy's line which surrounded the town. The two 

 platoons or small divisions, to which the desperate fury of Benevento was 

 directed, fearing to meet him, opened an avenue by wheeling on the right 

 and left backwards, through which he passed under an oblique fire from each 

 platoon with little loss. The greatest difficulty was now surmounted : the 

 Portenos pursued, keeping up a heavy but ineffectual fire, and expected that, 

 arriving at a precipice which lay in the direction, they would make an easy 

 prey of their designed victims ; however, on coming up to it, men and horses 

 went, or rather rolled, down it without any material injury. The detachment 

 of the Arroyo del Medio now appeared ; and the Portenos retired, lest they 

 should be chased in their turn. Of the thirty men who accompanied Bene- 

 vente from San Nicolas only fourteen escaped. 



Our loss in San Nicolas was 16 officers and about 470 soldiers, not including 

 50 officers and 200 men belonging to Alvear ; 6000 horses ; the General and 

 Colonel's tents ; all our baggage and military stores ; five pieces of artillery ; 

 an ammunition waggon with 12,000 rounds, and GO, 000 dollars for the pay 

 of the regiment. Madam Carrera, who had come from Rosario to see the 

 General the day previous, shared in the general misfortune of the day, being 

 taken prisoner in the church ; however, two days afterwards Dorego sent 

 her to the Arroyo Pabon, whither we had retired, with an escort and a polite 

 message to the General. 



The conduct of our Colonel, Benevento, on that day (as on all other such 

 occasions) was worthy of the highest praise : the surprise was most complete ; 

 and though he had not more than 250 men (including officers) mounted, he 

 defended himself against 3000 of the enemy from sunrise till mid-day, ho- 

 nourably exposing himself, and protecting the retreat of the dismounted sol- 

 diers to the town. 



The Portenos were not content with the ample share of plunder which 

 they had acquired at our cost, — they also broke open every house without 

 exception ; and in three days afterwards, upwards of 800 had deserted, 

 loaded with booty : they returned to Buenos Ayres, resolved not to lose the 

 honour they had gained in this by risking it in another action. 



This great victory, gained by a people only accustomed to defeats, had the 

 most flattering effects ; the ancient spirit of Buenos Ayres (they supposed) 



3 G 



