APPENDIX. 



501 



has not traversed this spot, can imagine the difficulties which 

 our troops had to surmount in passing a place which the 

 enemy considered impassable; and which could only have 

 been successfully accomplished by the bravery of our 

 soldiers. 



At half-past two in the morning, our vanguard reached 

 the land, between the battery " Constitution," and the bas- 

 tion Princesa," and they had scarcely time to form before 

 they were discovered by the enemy, and the firing com- 

 menced. By a simultaneous movement, and with the rapi- 

 dity of lightning, our troops made themselves masters of 

 the bastions " La Princesa" and "El Principe," after having 

 lanced and bayonetted the enemy, who preferred death to the 

 abandonment of their posts. 



Major Cala, in conformity with his instructions, divided 

 his column quickly, and pointed out to each section the point 

 which it was to take possession of. The company of grena- 

 diers. Captain Francisco Dominguez, with the first company 

 under Captain Pedro Rosas, with fifty lancers, all under the 

 command of Lieutenant-Colonel Francisco Farfan, were ap- 

 pointed to occupy the batteries Princesa and Principe. The 

 second company, commanded by Captain Laureano Lopez, 

 with twenty-five lancers, and Captain Juan Jose Merida, 

 were directed to take possession of the Pier. The third 

 company, commanded by Captain Joaquin Peres, to the 

 " Cerito." The fourth company, with Captain Gabriel 

 Guevara, occupied the battery " La Constitution." Twenty- 

 five lancers, with Lieutenant-Colonel Jose de Lima, occu- 

 pied the gate of the palisades, (estacada,) which was the ut- 

 most limit of the enemy's garrison in the outer works. 

 Major Cala, and the company of light infantry, with Captain 

 Valentin Reyes, remained as a reserve in the battery 

 " Princesa." 



