402 APPENDIX. 
tranquillity, leaving his friend Ramirez involved in a dangerous war ; his ex- 
perience taught him to expect that Buenos Ayres would be immediately re- 
duced to their former system, as the Portefios were extremely docile when 
threatened by an approaching enemy: on the contrary, he anticipated a long 
and sanguinary war between Artigas and Ramirez. He therefore prepared to 
march to the aid of Buenos Ayres, where he expected to leave every thing 
_ tranquil in the course of a month at furthest, and then cross the Parrana with 
whatever forces he could raise, to the assistance of Ramirez. Don Estanislao 
Lopez, governor of the province of Sante Fé, also entered into these mea- 
sures, and accompanied Carrera to Buenos Ayres with 400 men. 
Previous to our march to Buenos Ayres some ammunition and other mili- 
tary stores were sent to the allies in San Juan, as they were liable to be 
attacked by a force then raising in Mendoza. 
We marched from our encampment on the 14th of June, 1820, towards 
Buenos Ayres. Our regiment was 600; the dragoons of Lopez were 400. 
We were badly mounted, being obliged to ride and walk alternately, that our 
horses might not be too much fatigued; but after five days’ march, we 
arrived in the neighbourhood of San Nicolas, when we provided ourselves 
with some excellent horses. 
Soler having drawn all his forces together, resolved to await our approach 
to his encampment, On our arrival at San Antonio de Areco, a squadron of 
200 cavalry, which had been sent as an advance guard to observe our march, 
made their commander prisoner, and passed to our division : these soldiers were 
left in San Antonio de Areco; and the Generals Carrera and Lopez marched 
with an advance of about 200 men; and early next morning, 28th of June, 
they discovered the encampment of the enemy at the Caiiada de la Cruz. 
They were formed in three divisions: that of the right consisted of the regi- 
ment called Colorados, and a strong detachment of Blandingos, with one 
piece of artillery, commanded by Colonel Pagola; the centre division was 
formed by all the regulars, and four pieces of artillery, commanded by 
Major-General French ; and their left division was composed of militia and_ 
civicos commanded by regular officers. A river ran from right to left in their 
front. Soler, who commanded the whole, was stationed with his staff and a 
small corps de reserve in the rear of the centre division. 
As it was not supposed that we should meet the enemy till the following 
' day, about 300 Chilenos and Santafecinos were detached on a necessary and 
important service, and could not be expected to return before midnight. 
