446 APPENDIX. 
which were regular soldiers ; and besides these, we had 800 militia, under the 
command of Colonel Don Felipe Alvarez. 
The sierras or mountains of Cordova were considered impenetrable to an 
army, particularly of cavalry ; but as Bustos’ chief force was cantoned in 
different parts of the mountains, we attempted to search them out. The 
country people assisted us as guides, and we marched for Salta ; where we were 
surprised whilst at dinner in a wood: the guard kept the enemy employed 
whilst the squadron formed; the enemy was then charged and routed, a 
considerable number killed, and some prisoners taken. The Cordoveses re- 
tired to the mountains, whither we followed them closely ; many skirmishes 
ensued, but all ended in the destruction and dispersion of the enemy, without 
any considerable loss on our side. The last of the regulars of Bustos in these 
mountains having long witnessed our success, and formed an adequate idea 
of their danger in opposing us, passed to us under the orders of their ser- 
geants and corporals, permitting their officers to escape. ‘The sierras being 
entirely subdued, Don Manuel Arrias was appointed commandant of the 
district, and raised 300 militia to remain there; whilst we returned to the 
Villa de Concepcion, and thence marched to the city of Cordova, to form a 
junction with the division of Colonel Pintos, who was then encamped on the 
north side of the city. 
We had Cordova besieged for some days by the militia of Colonel Pintos 
on the north, and by our division and that of Colonel Alvarez, on the south. 
The enemy’s guerillas and outposts being beaten into the city, Bedoya, who 
was governador intendente, and now commanded in chief in Cordova, drew 
all his forces to occupy the plaza, leaving all the rest of the city unprotected. 
The citizens of every rank were in our favour; and were it not for an acci- 
dent which happened to Ramirez, who had just crossed the Parrana, we 
should have taken the city : an express arrived from him, stating that he was 
closely pursued by his enemies, and requesting Carrera to march immediately 
to his assistance. Carrera could not hear of the danger of his friend without 
flying to his succour. He left Colonel Pintos, with other officers of practical 
knowledge, to carry on the siege ; but as their force only consisted of militia, 
they were surprised by a sally of the besieged, and entirely defeated. 
Ramirez had sent 1000 infantry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Mansilla, to attack Santa Fé, whilst he passed the river near Coronda with 
700 cavalry, leaving in the Bajada 2700 ready for embarkation. Mansilla 
