Star.
London, England, 1825-04-15 00:00:00

P2RU.

e. . 1

Lerma BROW 41111111/11111. 1016/1111111 TO k Inllllll/ Is LIMA.
Manton, four leagues meth of Ommtasiga, Dec. Ile 1 r 54•441
I have written you long letters from Challonca, Ma-
mare, Croenchegues, Andegneylas, and Uripa. If those;
letters reach you, you will be in possession of most of
the particulars of the movements of our army op to the
end of last month, and of the error we committed, after
the affair of Junin, by not, rapidly following up the
enemy, and destroying Canteraes force before Valdes
could have joined him from Potosi. You will also learn
of our retrograde movement from Lumbrama to 1,11 ipa,
and of the confusion and sudden change of the pro-
spects of our hope. which the offensive operations of
the Royalists crewed amongst us, by the advance on
Guamanga. As soon as the Viceroy ascertained that
we had not commenced a Santa Cruz retreat, and knew
our position, feat ing that we might direct our course to
Cusco, he counter-marched from the vicinity of Gua-
m-nga toward AnJegueylas, and both armies met at the
bridge if Begucos, as I stated in my last. La Seen*
thought to entrap us in the valley of Pornocochas, for
which purpose he moved a few leagues to his right, that
we might descend the queltra4a where he. intended to
attack us, but, luckily, be could not effect his purpose.
We arrived at Malan (slat leaves frees Uripa) before the enemy,
and offeredlint battle on egad term; but Laditagennbed
to play the sure game. and cow/Awed • he could withwat
risking a general action, declined attaching as, sod matimiod his
advance, outflanking our right, or rather left, whets istreating. We
pursued our retrograde movement ou the 34, aided that nelrenelle
big were attacked, under very disadvantageons drountetal3ColswWlit
defiling down a pseOrada, two leagues to the northward Of Malan.
We lost in this affair the general depot, oar lead piece*, nearly all
the baggage of the army, and about 500 killed, wounded, and miss-
ing, whilst the casualties of the Royalists did not exceed. 30.
This blow naturally created a damp upon the spirits of our
troops, and what still Increased our uneasiness was certain informa-
tion reecived, that La Serna did not bring with him less than 10,000
effective troops. We continued to fall back on this plain, the enemy
always: on our left flank, and takhig daily many prisoners, and much
baggage. Battle was again offered him in Canino, but he a *coot
time declined it. Our situation became more desperate every day ;
the Peruvians had begun to desert; and our cavalry tired and dis-
gusted at being obliged to walk on foot, having lost tbeir horses.—
The mules, de essarcko, bad all been lost, or taken by the enemy, and
Dot a horse-shoe or nail were to be had for love or suusey. Our
army being arrived at this place, the enemy placed himself in Gua-
mancuilla, two leagues to the northward, and thus completely cut
off our further retreat, even were we in a state to continue it. The
aspect of our affairs became gloomy in the extreme. We could
not have existed sir days in this position, for want of pros Wont;
and either to have moved on the enemy, or to have counter-
marched onwards Andaguaylas or Guamanga. would have been
certain perdition. The enemy were cosfident of our destruction.
He had sent strong detachments towards Marco, Mayoe, and other
directions, to cut and destroy the bridges and roads, to prevent the
escape of a single individual. The Indians of Huesca, Huanca-
bilica, Churcheros, and neighbouring towns, had all risen against
us, and, daily accounts being received of their having assassinated
fair stragglers and small detachments, sometimes it was impossible
to procure a guide. The morale of oar troops, also, began most
perceptibly to relax, and Many deserted to the enemy; disagreeable
news was received front the coast, as well as that 1,500 Royalists
were on their march from C%1301, to reinforce La Serve. In fact,
everythieig indicated our ruin; neither was it likely that generalship
would save us.
Under these critical circumstances, the Royalists, flushed with
their superiority, attacked us, certain of success. Oar pea dos was
a plain of about two miles' circumference, and incur rear, a gradual
descent to a vast ostrinek. La Sena and Camerae, with two divi.
Soul. advanced in our front, descending the bit, whilst Vaides,with
two squadmne and tour battalions, attacked weskit! The lloyalhas
were attacked on all sides, nearly at the same d6Meat, In the most
gallaut ntanner, and greatest possible order, and after one boar
twenty minutes hard, very hard, fighting. were completely roe
the Viceroy -wounded and taken prisoner. Carateisc, Vat ,
Casvatals hionet, Ferran, and four se Gm mere Generals, with
other ants and about 300 or 600 mos, who were united after the
action, with wine dilkulty capitulated. giving us possession of
Pero, front Tumbay to Desaguairto. Ton pieta of artillery were
taken from the enemy during the action. We had lint one miserable
four-pounder to return their fire. Our cavalry behaved nobly—
.that of Colombia advanced in the intervals formed by our columns
of infantry on the right, and that of Peru charged, and routed two
battalions of Valdes van, which had reached the plain no which we
had turned, and actually began to flank our right. All, and every-
body, behaved well. General Cordoba, a youth of twenty-five, with
his division, stood the brunt, and indeed, it may be said, decided the
action. Ile was most justly made a General of Divbion err the Add
of battle. I charged at the bead of the Hussars of Junin, and no.
pulsed Valdez, who at first bad driven back our infantry. The
Hussars advanced in the most gallant manner, and their goodies.
duct has drawn forth unlimited praise from thei General-in-thief,
and the whole army.
The enemy brought into the field 7,200 infantry, and 1,300 ea.
valry, whilst our disposable force only amounted to 5,627, including
1,000 cavalry. Since leaving Andegueylas our effective force ions
decreased 1,510 men- The Royalist Army was compood of ex-
cellent men, well clothed, indwell equipped ; their morale. far from
being bad, ens the reverse ; and General Valdez has assured me
there were only IMO recruits. The bottle, fought near Queens, is
called Anglia's feeweendelesuysettes).because that is the name a
the pimps where Stook plane and is not more than a quarter of a mile
from the vile. Witham doubt, hie the most glorious, the most ins-
=, sad the must military action ever fought in South Amines.
ti t's arssardsgslmsd It, the struggle in Peru for lodepeadolley
must have boon proemiteed for years to come • and eves adie
sad Coked& would lave far their safety. La ism,
Camerae, sod Valdes, dowse great credit for having bunk
their poops to suck a degree et' perfection. Their cavalry, in equip-
ment and discipline. is, perhaps, little inferior to the British, and
that is saying all that is postible to be said in their favour. The
Viceroy, yawn Content., Monet, Garcia, Combs. and several
others, am maims to return to Ruope. bneta styles hinweif
General es Jefe rid &areas Real en Peru. He may have from 3000
to 4000 men. Unless we take active measures against him at once,
he may yet cause much trouble : probably upwards of 1000 of
diveraw may mate with him, if they be not pursued.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

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