462 APPENDIX. 
and prevented us seeing or preventing any attempt which the enemy might 
make to surround us; hence we could not with propriety follow up the advan- 
tage we had gained. 
Re-union was sounded, and we formed close to the enemy’s position ; where 
we waited, expecting to be attacked: the cloud of dust gradually disappeared, 
and we saw the Mendocinos in their ground seemingly in the same uncer- 
tainty as ourselves; however, they immediately sent out guerillas to renew 
the attack. 
In this skirmish our horses were completely fagged. Forty or fifty soldiers 
were, however, fortunate enough to catch the horses of the enemy’s soldiers 
who had been killed or unhorsed in the attack ; and with these we dispersed 
their guerillas. ‘The Colonel resolved, whilst the soldiers were in the heat of 
passion, to renew the charge, without giving them time for the consideration 
of their danger. We were about 100; and with that number Benevento 
charged the cavalry on their left flank, leaving all the rest of their line un- 
covered and unheeded. On our approach to their line, Albin Gutierres, 
who was their general, abandoned his horse and took refuge in the infantry’s 
square. ‘The commandant of the cavalry on that flank followed the same 
example, but on pretence that his horse had become unmanageable from the 
noise of the musquetry: the soldiers and inferior officers of the cavalry, 
abandoned by their chiefs, could not be much blamed for a change of posi- 
tion which brought them in rear of the infantry, who kept up such a heavy 
oblique fire on us as obliged us to retire once more; but in good order, and 
not pursued. We halted, and gave front to the enemy again ; when, as the 
Colonel was exclaiming against the soldiers for their cowardice in having 
twice retreated without orders, we perceived a large cloud of dust, which 
indicated the march of’ the army of San Juan, and consummated the terror 
of our men. It was with difficulty we could hinder the soldiers from mani- 
festing their fear to the enemy, who were close in front: each seemed eager 
to seek his own safety in flight ; and the officers were obliged to form in their 
rear, with orders to strike dead the first man who would show any disorder or 
cowardice in sight of his enemy. The General plainly saw that these men 
would not charge, and that, if they did, it would be only uselessly sacrificing 
the lives of soldiers who might be useful on another occasion ; he therefore 
gave orders for a retreat, which we commenced in good order. The soldiers 
whose horses were bad mounted behind others, or were taken prisoners. 
The enemy harassed our rear about three leagues ; in which distance, out of 
