454 APPENDIX. 



excepting the sick and wounded who were festering in their sores. In these 

 waggons the General's papers were taken, and despatched to Mendoza as the 

 most authentic and unequivocal proof of the important victory they had 

 gained. We marched from the Arroyo on which we were encamped, imme- 

 diately on hearing of the massacre of the guard and wounded men ; and in 

 two days we fell in with the enemy, who was also in search of us. 'Twas 

 early, and the morning was extremely dark and foggy, when the flankers of 

 our left discovered the Mendocinos' encampment in the woods, on the banks 

 of the Rio Quarto ; and as they knew we were encamped close to them that 

 night, they were prepared, and came out to meet us. The ground being 

 woody and uneven we retreated, leaving a strong guerilla to protect our 

 retreat, during which it was engaged with the enemy's van. We at length 

 arrived on a fine plain near the Villa de Concepcion, where we halted and 

 gave front to the enemy. General Morou, who commanded the Mendocinos, 

 from his success over the wounded and the small guard which escorted them, 

 supposed he would have little difficulty in defeating us. He formed his men 

 in two divisions, with a strong guerilla on their right, which advanced to 

 attack us. Our squadrons were formed in line of battle, with a reserve in 

 the rear of only 40 men ; the women, who generally augmented that corps, 

 having been taken with our baggage two days previous. A guerilla of our 

 lancers charged and repulsed that of the enemy ; which being reinforced, our 

 party were obliged to retire, and were pursued in their retreat. The whole line 

 of the Mendocinos now advanced to the charge, as did ours to meet them. At 

 a few yards' distance from each other both lines made an involuntary halt : 

 an awful pause ensued, till Colonel Benevente peremptorily ordered the line 

 to advance ; the same expedient was used by General Morou, who came in 

 front of the Mendocinos' line and led them on. The lines closed, the action 

 commenced ; and General Morou, after exchanging a few blows, was the 

 first who fell beneath the superior arm of one of our soldiers. The fight 

 between their second division and our whole line was obstinate ; but their 

 first division and the guerilla of their right out-flanked us, so that we were 

 then charged in flank, front and rear, or completely surrounded. The action 

 now presented very little hope to us ; our line was broken and obliged to 

 fly, but was at length rallied again by Colonel Benevente and the officers. 

 The charge was renewed with vigour, and the Mendocinos were beat back 

 several hundred yards beyond the ground where the action began ; when they 

 were reinforced by 200 men, who awaited our arrival in formation and 



