APPENDIX. 391 
baggage, they found it impossible to effect their retreat. However, they sus- 
tained their Guerillas, and continued their march, in order to possess them- 
selves of a strong and advantageous position on the Cafiada de Cepeda. On 
arriving there they halted. Their infantry, amounting to twelve hundred, 
formed a hollow square, the front of which was covered by their numerous 
carts, with artillery at proper intervals; the flanks, or right and left faces of 
the square, were strengthened by cavalry ; and the rear face of the square was 
protected by the Cafiada on which it was formed. In this position the Por- 
tefios remained till morning, when Ramirez in person reconnoitred the 
ground, and a little after sunrise every thing was ready for a general attack. 
The charge was sounded, the Federalists advanced sword in hand, with a 
terror-striking courage, at full speed of their horses, amidst a heavy fire of 
artillery and musquetry. The cavalry of the Portefios, accustomed to trust 
more to the fleetness of their horses, than to the keenness of their swords, 
could not resist the charge, but fled in disorder, leaving their infantry aban- 
doned. Rondeau himself’ was one of the first to fly. The fugitive cavalry 
were pursued with great havoc, whilst a corps de reserve of 150 men re- 
mained in observation of the infantry. 
The grass was extremely luxuriant, and rather dry by the intense heat of the 
season: it caught fire from the artillery, the breeze augmented the flames, 
and in a few minutes the camp appeared in a dreadful conflagration. 
The loss of the enemy’s waggons, artillery, &c. was inevitable; they 
marched through the marsh in their rear, and gaining an adjacent lake, re- 
mained there during the time the fire continued to rage, which was about 
three hours ; the breeze then lessening, and the Federalists returning from the 
pursuit of that part of the enemy which had fled, the fire was by their exer- 
tions almost entirely extinguished. 
The situation of the enemy’s infantry was the most pitiable which can be 
conceived; without cavalry to sustain them, without refreshment of any 
kind, not knowing the moment in which they might be engaged by their victo- 
rious enemies, and at least six or seven leagues distant from San Nicolas, the 
only post in which they could reasonably indulge a hope of being able to de- 
fend themselves. However, they were still in number much superior to the 
Federalists, and the spirit and courage of the three officers who commanded 
them was almost equal to the difficulty and danger of their situation. Bal- 
carse, who commanded in chief, was summoned to surrender, but refused 
with great resolution; he formed his men in close column, with parties of 
