444 APPENDIX. 
excellent character, and deserved a better fate. This action was directed in 
chief by Colonel Don Luis Videla, and the second in command was Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Suasti, both famous officers of San Martin; and the latter was 
a member of the Legion of Merit of Chile, and his character was such as is 
generally necessary for the members of that institution. 
We had now acquired more arms, ammunition, and horses, than we had 
any necessity for: the surplus was destroyed. The 54 Cordovese prisoners 
were, at their own request, admitted to take arms in our line ; and the seven 
officers who were chiefs of the reserve got their liberty, and passports to 
return to Cordova, after having been five days prisoners. 
From the field of battle we began our march, in order to make the most of 
our advantage by entering the town of San Luis, and organising a govern- 
ment which would be favourable to our views. We encamped in the Cho- 
rillas, one league from the town; and an officer’s guard was immediately sent 
to the town to prevent disorders of any kind. 
Here Carrera received despatches from Ramirez, informing him that he was 
about to cross the Parrana with 4000 men, reminding him of his danger in 
exposing himself to his numerous enemies with so small a force, and inviting 
him to accompany him in his operations against Buenos Ayres and Santa Fé ; 
and also telling him, that at the conclusion of the campaign he would give 
him as many squadrons of horse as might be thought necessary to accompany 
him to Chile. 
We had notice from our spies and correspondents that Bustos was again 
marching with a fresh army to incorporate himself with the Mendocinos San- 
juanos, and Puntanos, in the province of San Luis; that in a few days this 
junction of forces would be effected, and would amount to 5000 men. The 
spirit of our sgldiers was still unbroken ; nay, they almost fancied themselves 
invincible ; but their number was considerably decreased by the losses of the 
two latter actions in killed and wounded. Our men who were fit for service 
did not exceed 100 ; with which number it would have been preposterous to 
hope for success against our numerous enemies. Under these circumstances, 
Carrera called a council of his officers, who were unanimously of opinion 
that the best means of securing the advantages which we had gained, 
and of ensuring our future success, was to begin our retreat to the frontier 
of Santa Fé, or Buenos Ayres, and there to wait the arrival of Ramirez. We 
began our retreat accordingly ; and next day we took the officer who had 
been liberated by Carrera the morning of the action with the Puntanos pri- 
