APPENDIX. 449 
obliged to retreat, and seek our protection in the province of Cordova, leaving 
the artillery, &c. which he had acquired behind him. Mansilla, who had 
taken Santa Fé, not having positive orders how to act, and hearing of Ra- 
mirez’s loss, evacuated the town, and embarking his troops crossed the 
Parrana, to wait further orders in the Bajada. Thus all communication was 
cut off between Ramirez and his province. We met Ramirez at the Passo de 
Ferreira, on the Rio Tercero. He still had nearly 400 men. 
Bustos all this time remained shut up in his fortifications at Sause, and we 
marched, together with Ramirez, to assault him in his trenches ; but having 
had notice of our movement, he quitted his strong hold in order to unite him- 
self with Lopez and La Madrid, then in the Posta del Esquina, near the line 
of demarkation between Cordova and Santa Fé. There was a great number 
of carts in Sause, which he brought with him to fortify himself if attacked on 
his march. We arrived at Sause, and found that he had retreated two days 
before ; we therefore left all our heavy baggage in that town with a detach- 
ment, and redoubled our marches in pursuit of him. yn 
Dojia Delfina, the lady who accompanied Ramirez, was a fair Portefia, who 
«loved him for the battles he had fought” against her countrymen, and the 
victories he had gained over them; and his love for her was unfortunately 
the cause of his present errors, and afterwards of his death. — As this lady’s 
frame was too delicate long to endure the fatigues of a forced march, several 
halts were made on her account. When close by Bustos, at least within 
eight leagues of him, we were obliged to halt the whole night, that she might, 
by reposing, recover some strength with which she might support the toils 
which were anticipated for the next day. But Bustos, during our halts, 
reached the Cruzo Alta, where he fortified himself. Next morning we 
arrived before the town ; and, forming our divisions, an aid-de-camp was sent 
to Bustos to intimate his unconditional surrender, and threaten him with 
the consequences of an assault, if he should refuse. Fifteen minutes were 
allowed Bustos for the return of his answer; but he did not hesitate a mo- 
ment: he replied to the officer, that the ‘“ Federal arms were never to be 
«surrendered, nor could be obtained, but at the expense of the blood of 
«‘ those who carried them.” The officer returned with this answer, and we 
prepared to assault the town. (Bustos here calls his the Federal army. At 
the time when he was first put in possession of the government of the province 
of Cordova by Carrera and Ramirez, his army was called The Third Division 
of the Federal Army ; and now, though an apostate from the political tenets 
3M 
