Star.
London, England, 1818-03-27 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICA.

DEFEAT OF THE PATRIOTS IN MEXICO.
DISPATCH FROM COL. JOAQUIN MARQUEZY buNALLO
TO THE VICEROY OP MEXICO.
"GLORY TO THL GOD OT AZINIZS!_

" Port of Corpora, Dec. 1, 1817, half-past 7, p.m.
" MOST EXCELLENT SlR—Last night I advanced
my batteries within pistol shot of the enemy's fot,
and there I erected another battery opposite the prin-
cipal gate with two pieces of artillery. At five
o'clock in the morning, the fire began through all
the line, to which the enemy answered as they had
done before. This last battery did them a great deal
of injury, opened a large breach, and dismounted
one cartonade. When I perceived this, I disposed
myself to the assault ; and for this effect, at dark I
united the three companies of grenadiers of Ordenes
and Alobero, and marched with them to the breach,
having learned by some deserters that the enemy
wanted to escape on account of the great injury he
suffered from our artillery. After having filled up
the trenches, I placed myself at the head of the co-
lumn with my Adjutants, Captains Martinez and
Guerrero, and Lieutenant Marquez, having ordered
before the Captain of the Regiment of Mexico, Don
Ramon de la Madrid, to assault in the left, with 40
men of the battalion of St. Louis. This was so
promptly executed, that an' nemy's gunner was sur•
prized with the match in his hand ; he had no time'
to fire a gun which was loaded with grape. The
enemy began to throw themselves through a narrow
pass, called Las Cuevas de Pastiana, for which reason
I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Barradas, assisted by
Captain Rayon, as his guide, to follow them, by
which movement we took 9:3 rebels, with their arms,
and a great number of women. Amongst the priso-
ners are Col. Piedro Rodriguez, Major Ignetio Balas,
and the Adjutant of the Chief Bravo. We have
found in the fort six pieces of artillery, munitions,
arms, and several other effects. A number of our,
enemies were lying, some wounded and some dead.
" GOD preserve your Excellency many years.
" Jomautx MARQEZY DONALLO.."
" PORT SPAIN, FEBRUARY 12.

" The inclosed will give you all the news I know
from Guayana. Ido not believe the force Bolivar
took from Guayana to be at all over-rated ; and he
had luckily received a large supply of powder and
ammunition, and some arms. The Patriots are con-
fident of success. The late check that Zaraza met
with was, as I suspected, made the most of by the
Spaniards, to keep the spirit of resistance down ;
but it is a vain hope. The Patriots will be free, Or
exterminated. They ask no half concessions. Abso-
lute independence or nothing. They know it is not
easy for foreign Powers to guarantee Colonies against
the vengeance of the Mother Country. The gua-
rantee of Conventions with independent States is
quite another thing.
" We continue to be so closely blockaded by the
Spaniards that we have nothing direct of late from
Guayana. The inclosed came via Grenada. But
they say they only treat us as we treat other neutrals
in time of war, and there is some truth in that. Our
blockade does not affect Guayana, as the Orinoco
has been quite free, and Brion does not choose to
abandon the naval defence of that province, to clear
the Gulch for our convenience, until he knows the
issue of Bolivar's expedition. A short time,. now,
must furnish us with the result."
BULLETIN OF THE LIBERATING ARMY OF
VENEZUELA.

" Head-Quarters, San Diego de Cabrutica, Dec. 4.
" The division of General Zaraza, composed of
two brigades of infantry, under the command of
Brigadier-General Torres, and three of cavalry, on
Ithe Ist inst. marched towards the estate of Apainato,
with a view to approach nearer to the point of as-
sembly named by the Supreme Chief; there to form
a junction with the army he himself was bringing
from the province of Guayana. At twelve at noon
he encamped on the estate of Hogaza, and stroi'g
parties of cavalry were detached to various points,
to observe the movements of the enemy.
" On the 2d, at day-break, an enemy's division,
composed of 1200 infantry and 500 cavalry, under
the command of General LaTorre, attacked Colond
Infante, who, with 200 men, was advancing on the
road of Calabozo, and obliged him to retire towards
our camp, which he did in the best order. The di-
vision then abandoned the house and estate on which
it was encamped, and took post on a small hill, at
the distance of a mile. The infantry formed in order
of battle, and on the right and left the cavalry was
stationed, the first commanded by Colonel Infante,
and the second by Lieutenant-Colonel Zamora. The
reserve, which was composed of one squadron of
dragoons, and another of light cavalry, under the
orders of Colonel Urquiola, was posted 100 paces in
rear of the centre of the line. None of the parties of
observation sent out were enabled to come up in time.
" The enemy continued his movement on our po-
sition, and posted himself on a small hill in front of
that occupied by our forces, out of musket-shot.—
His army was formed into three columns of infantry
in the centre, and two of cavalry which covered the
sides. We instantly commenced the fire of our ar-
tillery, and soon after our line was ordered to ad-
vance, and the reserve to support our right wing.—
Colonel Briseno, who commanded the first brigade
of infantry, then received orders to attack at the
point of the bayonet the three columns of the ene-
my's infantry : and Colonel Plaza, commanding the
second brigade of infantry, was directed to present
his front to the cavalry the enemy had on the right,
and with which he was attempting to turn our left
wing. Colonel Briseno executed the movement con-
fided to him with the greatest rapidity and bravery,
and his chasseurs, commanded by Captain Gutierrez,
broke into the enemy's ranks, causing such havoc as
nearly to put them into disorder. Colonel Briseno,
with the remainder of his brigade, was now nearly
at close quarters with the enemy ; the moment was
considered decisive, and a general movement was
made. The cavalry charged on the right and on the,
left, but meeting with a check on the first onset, it
was thrown into disorder, notwithstanding the ad-
vantages acquired by our infantry, and all the extra-
ordinary exertions of the Chiefs and Office:s were
unable to form it again. The whole of our infantry
was engaged in the battle, and performed }rodigies
of valour. Colonel Plaza's brigade was the last that
quitted the field of battle, after sustaining the shock
of the whole of the enemy's forces.
The want of co-operatioa on the part of the de-

tached corps of tie army. which rel.:cei the feirce!
present to 700 infantry and 500 horse, was the chief
cause of this misfortune ; from which, however, the
enemy derived no other advantage than a small
number of prisoners, and the possession of the field,
of battle. his many killed and wounded, together
with the certainty that almost the wholeoster
ur
troops which had remained unhurt would assemble'
at these our head-quarters, where the principal body
of the army was stationed, not only prevented the
enemy from improving his victory, but compelled
him to retreat on the following day.
" General Zaraza, Commander in Chief of the
Division, had his horse wounded under him, and
that of Colonel Urquiola was killed. Lieutenant-
Colonel Zamora was wounded ‘vitli a lance, • and
Captain Gabantes received three mortal wounds.—
Colonel Martinez, Chief of the Staff, was killed; and
our loss, in kil!ed, prisoners and dispersed, was 247
men. Brigadier-General Latorre, Commander in
Chief of the enemy's forces, received two mortal
wounds. His loss in killed and wounued exceeds one
hundred and eighty men. (Signed)
" C. SOUBLETTE, Chief of the Staff."

" Guayana, January 10.
" On the 20th ult. we opened the campaign that
is to terminate the war in the provinces of Venezuela
in a short time. The troops left this on the 24th,
and the Supreme Chief on the 31st The arm.: con-
sists of 2,800 cavalry under the command of 'Gene-
rals Cedeno, Monagas, and Zaraza ; and 2,700 in-
fantry, including the guard of honour. Zaraza and
Monagas, with a corresponding number of infantry,
march through the interior towards Calabozo, in the
rear of the enemy, and they are to form a junction
with the main army, near Nutrias. Another portion
of the troops march on the opposite side of the Ori-
noco, as far as the portage of Castillo, and the re-
maindet go up in 38 vessels with the ammunition, of
which 24 are armed. Nothing has been known of
the operations and progress of those embarked since
they left this. One division of General Zaraza, of
1300 men, commanded by Colonel Infante, which
Iformed the advance of his army, has destroyed one
of a similar number belonging to the enemy, in the
neighbourhood of Calabozo under the command of
Colonel Martinez, killing SO men and making pri-
soners of the rest. The left of General Paez has
also destroyed 400 of the enemy, who were daring
enough to leave their entrenchments, with a view to
surprise the magazines belonging to the army of the
Lower Apure.
" Pact closely besieges San Fernando and Apu-
rito, with 2,500 cavalry and 800 infantry. Another
of his divisions, consisting of 1,000 cavalry, is also
acting on Nutrias, and a third on San Carlos. The
latter, in front of this place, lately destroyed 300 of,
the enemy's infantry. The dktricts of Cucuta, Me-
rida, and Truxillo have taken up arms in favour of,
their freedom, and the Spaniards remaining in Santa
Fe are in a sta:e of consternation. The revolution in
the province of Maracavbo is confirmed. The Su-
preme Chief has conferred powers on Father Marino,
to act in Santa Fe, and Gelm-11 Nonato Perez, with
2,000 men, is making great head in that quarter.
" Admiral Brion has eleven large vessels ready,
and is only waiting to complete two more, in order
to proceed on to the Gulf of Pal ia, to destroy the
Spaniards hovering about there' according to the or-
ders left by the Supreme Chief. General Bermudez
is very shortly to arrive here with his army to take
charge of tl is province. This Officer has at last hap-
pily terminated General Marino's differences, who is
gone on to Margarita. Our army is now well found
in every thing, and in an excellent state of discipline.
Great events may soon be expected. All the Gene-
rals, with the exception of 13ermudez, have taken
the field."

THE EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, ISIS.
THE FUNDS.
!RICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT TWELVE O'CLOCK:
Reduced shut—Cons. 77j 78—Cons. for Ac.
4 cv_.r Cent. shut—Navy Annui:ios 1051
11 dia. Bonds 81 83 pr.—Exchequer Bills 13 17.