APPENDIX. 409 
these, however, he determined to cut his way through whatever obstacles 
might oppose him. He put himself at the head of his party, galloped full 
speed through the town, and leaping the fosse, proceeded with intrepidity 
to break through the enemy’s line which surrounded the town. The two 
platoons or small divisions, to which the desperate fury of Benevento was 
directed, fearing to meet him, opened an avenue by wheeling on the right 
and left backwards, through which he passed under an oblique fire from each 
platoon with little loss. The greatest difficulty was now surmounted: the 
Porteyios pursued, keeping up a heavy but ineffectual fire, and expected that, 
arriving at a precipice which lay in the direction, they would make an easy 
prey of their designed victims ; however, on coming up to it, men and horses 
went, or rather rolled, down it without any material injury. The detachment 
of the Arroyo del Medio now appeared ; and the Portefios retired, lest they 
should be chased in their turn. Of the thirty men who accompanied Bene- 
vente from San Nicolas only fourteen escaped. 
Our loss in San.Nicolas was 16 officers and about 470 soldiers, not including 
50 officers and 200 men belonging to Alvear ; 6000 horses ; the General and. 
Colonel’s tents ; all our baggage and military stores ; five pieces of artillery; 
an ammunition waggon with 12,000 rounds, and 60,000 dollars for the pay 
of the regiment. Madam Carrera, who had come from Rosario to see the 
General the day previous, shared in the general misfortune of the day, being 
taken prisoner in the church; however, two days afterwards Dorego sent 
her to the Arroyo Pabon, whither we had retired, with an escort and a polite 
message to the General. 
The conduct of our Colonel, Benevento, on that day (as on all other such 
occasions) was worthy of the highest praise : the surprise was most complete ; 
and though he had not more than 250 men (including officers) mounted, he 
defended himself against 3000 of the enemy from sunrise till mid-day, ho- 
nourably exposing himself, and protecting the retreat of the dismounted sol- 
diers to the town. 
The Portefios were not content with the ample share of plunder which 
they had acquired at our cost, — they also broke open every house without 
exception; and in three days afterwards, upwards of 800 had deserted, 
loaded with booty : they returned to Buenos Ayres, resolved not to lose the 
honour they had gained in this by risking it in another action. 
This great victory, gained by a people only accustomed to defeats, had the 
most flattering effects; the ancient spirit of Buenos Ayres (they supposed ) 
3G 
