APPENDIX. , 405 
and his march to Buenos Ayres, was much against the inclination of his officers ; 
nay, even himself must have seen that such an union was contrary to his own 
interest, and to that of all who were connected with him: he lost, in a great 
measure, that high opinion which the respectable inhabitants of Buenos 
‘Ayres had entertained of him, by protecting their enemy. But he had seen 
many happy and miserable days with Alvear: they had been long intimates ; 
and he considered himself bound by the sacred laws of friendship not only to 
protect, but also to aid him. His judgment was sacrificed to the sincerity 
of his friendship, which led him to err; and that error may be considered as 
the principal cause of the difficulties under which he afterwards suffered. 
We marched from the Puente Marco to the suburbs of Buenos Ayres, 
which we besieged during eighteen or nineteen days, cutting off all commu- 
nication with the country. Colonel La Madrid was in the Magdalena, raising 
aforce, whither we went in search of him; but he left a strong division well 
mounted, which retreated as we pursued them, whilst he with a part of his 
force made a retrograde movement to the town of Moron, in which our in- 
fantry was stationed, and prevailed on the officers and soldiers to accompany 
him to Buenos Ayres. All which he effected with address, ingenuity, and 
despatch. 
The whole country and all its towns were ours. Buenos Ayres alone re- 
mained firm in the resolution to act on the defensive, though yet unable to 
undertake any offensive operations against us. To take the town by assault 
with Carrera’s troops, which never exceeded 2000, was impossible ; therefore, 
as the soldiers were much fatigued by the rigours of service and severity of the 
season, he raised the siege and retired to Luxan, to invigorate the troops with 
a few days’ rest previous to our march for Entre Rios, having determined to 
evacuate the province. : 
Whilst we were in the encampment of Luxan, a considerable force of the 
enemy had advanced to the towns of San Isidro and San Fernando, on the 
coast of the river. These were surprised and dispersed at day-break by a 
detachment of our regiment, and another of the Santafecinos: some escaped 
on board their barks, others into the country, whilst the more resolute part of 
‘hem undertook to defend themselves on their asoteas, or roofs of their houses, 
They were, however, obliged to surrender; and as they were but civicos of 
the town and country militia, they were disarmed, and- dismissed to their 
‘respective homes. 
, Two days afterwards we began our march by the way of San Pedro, from 
