412 APPENDIX. 
San Lorenzo, and killed forty of them, taking nine prisoners. This was an 
indication to the Portefios that their former fortunes in war were about to 
return; they, therefore, began to retreat, but were overtaken and brought 
to action. 
On the 10th of September, in the morning, the town of Pergamino, which 
was garrisoned by 350 of the enemy, was assaulted and taken; 220 were 
taken prisoners, and the greater part of the rest died in the attack: and on 
the 12th, our entire division, and that of Dorego, presented themselves for 
battle in the Cafiada Vica, or Gamonal. The detachments destroyed in 
Pergamino and San Lorenzo, as well as desertion, made a considerable reduc- 
tion in Dorego’s force ; and this was the first action in which we were opposed 
by equal numbers. 
Dorego, who attributed the success of the Federalists to their peculiar 
manner of fighting, determined to adopt the same plan, prohibiting his sol- 
diers, on pain of death, to fire a shot. He bravely charged in front of' his 
line against the Santafecinos, who met him with an equal contempt of danger. 
Dorego succeeded in breaking through the line of Lopez, when he was im- 
mediately charged by the Chilenos, led by Benevente, who stopped his pro- 
gress: the fight became general and obstinate; but at length the Portefios 
had recourse to their long-practised expedient: they retired; and being 
closely pressed and broken, it was in vain that their General exposed himself 
by remaining in their rear, and labouring greatly to rally his flying troops: 
they were pursued six leagues. No quarters were given till the latter part of 
the chace, when 325 prisoners were-taken. The number of killed were com- 
puted at 570: Dorego very narrowly escaped in the retreat. 
Carrera and Lopez passed the Arroyo del Medio: it was the desire of’ the 
former to return to Buenos Ayres, and establish a government there which 
would be friendly to our cause; but the latter only wished for a consum- 
mation of the treaty which he had commenced at Pabon. As our principal 
force consisted in militia, who were eager to return to their families and 
houses, they contented themselves with driving off as their booty 15 or 20,000 
head of cattle, and a great number of horses; and on their arrival in their 
own province, they were disbanded, each returning to their respective homes. 
Carrera’s head-quarters were at Rosario. The dragoons of Lopez were 
obliged to go to Santa Fé to curb the inroads of the northern Indians, who 
had taken offence against Lopez because he would not deliver up to their 
deputies a person who had killed an individual of their nation at Santa Fé. 
