462 APPENDIX. 



and prevented us seeing or preventing any attempt which the enemy might 

 make to surround us ; hence we could not with propriety follow up the advan- 

 tage we had gained. 



Re-union was sounded, and we formed close to the enemy's position ; where 

 we waited, expecting to be attacked : the cloud of dust gradually disappeared, 

 and we saw the Mendocinos in their ground seemingly in the same uncer- 

 tainty as ourselves ; however, they immediately sent out guerillas to renew 

 the attack. 



In this skirmish our horses were completely fagged. Forty or fifty soldiers 

 were, however, fortunate" enough to catch the horses of the enemy's soldiers 

 who had been killed or unhorsed in the attack ; and with these we dispersed 

 their guerillas. The Colonel resolved, whilst the soldiers were in the heat of 

 passion, to renew the charge, without giving them time for the consideration 

 of their danger. We were about 100: and with that number Benevento 

 charged the cavalry on their left flank, leaving all the rest of their line un- 

 covered and unheeded. On our approach to their line, Albin Gutierres, 

 who was their general, abandoned his horse and took refuge in the infantry's 

 square. The commandant of the cavalry on that flank followed the same 

 example, but on pretence that his horse had become unmanageable from the 

 noise of the musquetry : the soldiers and inferior officers of the cavalry, 

 abandoned by their chiefs, could not be much blamed for a change of posi- 

 tion which brought them in rear of the infantry, who kept up such a heavy 

 oblique fire on us as obliged us to retire once more ; but in good order, and 

 not pursued. We halted, and gave front to the enemy again ; when, as the 

 Colonel was exclaiming against the soldiers for their cowardice in having 

 twice retreated without orders, we perceived a large cloud of dust, which 

 indicated the march of the army of San Juan, and consummated the terror 

 of our men. It was with difficulty we could hinder the soldiers from mani- 

 festing their fear to the enemy, who were close in front : each seemed eager 

 to seek his own safety in flight ; and the officers were obliged to form in their 

 rear, with orders to strike dead the first man who would show any disorder or 

 cowardice in sight of his enemy. The General plainly saw that these men 

 would not charge, and that, if they did, it would be only uselessly sacrificing 

 the lives of soldiers who might be useful on another occasion ; he therefore 

 gave orders for a retreat, which we commenced in good order. The soldiers 

 whose horses were bad mounted behind others, or were taken prisoners. 

 The enemy harassed our rear about three leagues ; in which distance, out of 



