Star.
London, England, 1817-05-28 00:00:00

buco to observe the enemy. Tl•e army then foilow-
ed, and encamped at the mouth of the defile, toge-
ther with Colonel Haas' division, which had received
orders to concentrate at this point.
From this moment the intentions of the etierny
became more clear. The position he took cn the
heights, and the resolution with which he appeared I
diseosed to defend them, made it evident he was de-
termined to maintain his ground. Our advances
placed themselves within musket-shot of the enemy,
and during the whole of the 10th and 11th,. Made
the necessary reconnoissances. A small sketch. of
the position of tile Spaniards was made out, ani in
conformity to it, I made all my arrangements to attack
them in the morning of the following day (12th).
1 enclose to your Excellency a topographical plan
of the ground, in which ale seen the great obstacles
overcome by our army, and the advantages of the
enemy's position. I gave the command of the right
to General Soler, who, with the first division of
chasseurs, the companies of grenadiers and sharp-
, shooters ot the 7th and Bth regiments, commanded
by Colonel Martinez, seven field pieces, my own es-
curt, and 4th squadron of mounted grenadiers, was
'to attack the enemy in dank, and turn his position,
whilst General O'Higgins, to whom I confided the
legit, WAS to attack them in front with the battalions
'Na. 7 and 8, squadrons 1,2, 3, and two field pieces.
The result of our first movement was the abandon-
ment by the enemy of his position on the heights, for
the rapidity of our march did not give him time to
collect the forces he had in Chacabuco, in order to
dispute the ascent.
Atter this first success, it was necessary to make
fresh arrangements—the enemy's in'antry, in its re-
treat, had to cross a plain of more than four leagues
in extent, and althoteth it was su,teined by a strong
column of cavalry, experience had told us that a good
squadron of our ours horse grenadiers was snflicient
to defeat and cut them up. Oer position then had
become the most advantageous. General O'Higgins
was able to continue his attack in front, whilst Ge.
iseral Soler was in a situation to outflank the Spani-
ards, if it appeared they wished to keep their ground
before they entered on the plains. I therefore in-
stantly ordered Cclattel Z ipiola, with the squadrons
1,2, and 3. to march forwards in order to charge
them, or at least to take up their attention till the
battalions 7 and 8, came forward, and the enemy
was then compelled to take up the position alescribed ,
in the plan. General Soler continued his movement
on the tient, with great success and good combina-1
riots, ascending up a craggy and almost impractica-
ble height, without being perceived by the enemy,
till they saw him commanding their own position,
and threatening their dank.
The opposition we here met with was vigorous
and tenacious. A most !terrible fire was commenced
on bout sides, and they disputed the victory with us
for mare than an hour with the greatest obstinacy.
True it is that on this point there were more than 1.500
of their chosen infantry, the flower of their army,
and they were besides supported by a respectable
body of cavalry. Nevertheless, the decisive moment
was near at'hand.. The brave .General O'Higgins
collected the 7th and Bth battalions, formed two close
columns of attack, and at the head of the first charged
the enemy's left with,the bayonet.
Colonel Zapiola at the head of squadrons 1,2, and
3, broke their right—all, in short, appeared like an
instantaneous shock. General Soler at the same time
rushed up the heights on which their position rested,
and to defend which the enemy detached 200 men.
Come Alvarado, however, arrived with Isis chasseur',
detached two companies under the command ot Cap-
tain Salvadores, who attacked the heights, defeated
the Spaniards, and destroyed them with the bayonet.
Lieutenant Zaria, of the chasseurs, greatly distin-
guished himself.
In the mean time the intrepid squadrons of horse
commanded by their Officers, charged in the most
determined manner. - The whole of the enemy's in-
tadtry was routed and destroyed, the carnage was
terrible, but the victory was complete and decisive.

so deceiving of the regard old Lir fellow ciuze
the consitierAtion of your Excellency.
Wit!bout the aid I have received from G,
Soler and O'Higgins, dit expedi:iun would n,

met with su:li t!ecisiv.! results —I 4Thl

greatest obligations to ditto, as N, II as to !I,e
composing my Staff, of whom Colonel Il• ri
compaticd me in the action, and communize.,
orders. I•am also greatly 14 ti,fird with the eei

Colonrl.QJinuna, and my Aides-de•Cunp, Alva,
ruz. Arcos, Ewalath, and O'Brien.

The want of time prevents me from
Ting to. your Excellency the Offictrs who most es.!
t'nguished themselves, but I will du it as soon Al eel-,
respective Commanders furnish me with the de•Piti
have requested, in order that their names miy pot
be forgotten.

Finally, Commandant Cabot, on Coquimbo, Rr.
driguez on San Fernando, and Lieutenantenlo-
nel Freyre on 'Yalta, have had equal success. in
a word, the echo of patriotism resounds from ail parts
at one and the same time, and the Army of tf.e Andes
will sways have the glory of saying _in twenty-four
days we finished the campaign, we passed the m..t
elevated chain of mountains in the globe—we made
an end of tyrants, and we hive given freeJom
Chili.—God preserve your Excellency, Su.
(Signed) Josc nn SAN MALI 11.
PRIVATE LETTERS.

" BUENOS AYRES, MARCH 10.

" About ten days since we received inior.natiril
of San Martin having passed the Cordillera, and
feated Marco in an engagement given about Viirteei
leagues from the capital ; and subsequent ne.• s
arrived that the President was a prisoner, and Ccn.
ception and the rest of the country in the powessinel
of the Patriots ; and of this being the tact there seemi
uo room to tf.,tiht. T!tis success has revivei
drooping spirits of the petty, and the conriu,s-
Peru is already on toe Lapis. The Royal fillets uf
stated to he very weak in the latier province, as wel
as they were in Chili, where Marco is stated to !lasi
I met San Martin with no more than IEOO tie aniare'`
though all were collected except some inconsidera4
11 detachments. The Portuguese seem to have to;
quiet pnrscssion of the Banda Oriental, East of ill
Uruguay ; And even to be in force in vario.is i
the Entre Rios, where Artigas has been tre.,•Sie ti
collect any force capable of resisting th.:ir detach
ments. The Chiefs pursue a plan of conciliation, at
endeavour to recommend the Portuguese dom;natic
to the inhabitants as much as possible. They hay
reduced the duties on European &Ads one halt, au!
permit the introduction of Brazilian produce, on bond
being given to satisfy the duties, should the Coin
think proper to impose any. Their language is bight
friendly to the English, and encouraging to foreigner
in general. They disavow all participation with thit
Spanish Court, and ackn ...ledge the purpose of`
making it a permanent pos essir,n."

te BUENOS.ATRZS, %ROI 15.

a The conquest of Chili is a u oat important trer.t
in the revolution of this country, and ensures our
dependence. It opens to our trade a rich and art.::
country, places at the disposal of Government
millions of dollars (the amount o; Royal t:ea3tne
captured, and contributions exacted irom the Re; -
lists by General San Martin.) Having now pl;n:::
of arms, they can attempt the invasion tai Lima ;
twelve thousand Chileitois are now training for AZ
purpose, and a number of French officers, lately :1.
rived horn the United States of ittneric I, hoe can.-
mi>sicus in this new army, which will thiuhtlrts !:e
sufficient fiir the objtict intended. In the me.io tints.
the RoYail troops, now near Salta, anJ which laic:,
threatened to force their way to Cordova, noir
fall back to Cruro or La Pea, and leave open to ii
merchants of Buenos Ayres die valuable trade of
tosi, and to the Government its rich minas, mint &c."

" BUEXf3!J YR FS, :..1.1::C11

" The market is rising, every kird tit s:aull
goads in cottons is in demand ; consi,lerabi'e purchases
Raving been mak fur Chili, and great times being
entertained that the road to Potosi and upwards will
be :again open. It :s said that a ditpatch of the Vic,-
toy cf. Peru has been found in Chili, stating tiim llr
has only 300 European troops in the capital, and it
is presumed that the Royal forces in Upvr
must fall back on Lima.

Our posterior efforts were only directed in pursuit
of our enemies, who, horridly dispersed, were running
' away in all quarters. Cons. Necochea who, with
the 4th squadron and my escort, fell on their right,
as described by the inclosed plan, made a dreadful
carnage among them. Our cavalry that afternoon
reached as far as the pass of the Colina.
The whole of the enemy's infantry perished. Six
hundred prisoners, 32 Officers, among them several
of rank, and an equal or larger number of killed,
their artillery, a complete park, considerable maga-
zines, together with the colours of the Chace regi-
ment, were the fruits of this gloriou: day.
The consequences have, however, been more im•
portant. The Spanish President Mario, in midst of
the terror and confusion produced by this defeat, on
the same nig.st of thwllth, abandoned the Capital,
and with the miserable remnant of his troops, made
the best of his way towards Valparaiso. He left the
whole of his artillery on. the declivity of .Praicto ; tie
lwas aftaitilof lot arriving in time to get :Wiping ; " RUMS-AVM, MARV, ift
'be ran along the coast towards San Antonio, where. • .44 Arrive 4 on ay 9th the American ship W' r.
he was taken, with the greater part of his followers. ringtni, Smitli , from Bounteous ; and not Seib,:
by a party of our mounted grenadiers, commanded so good a market as the late occurrences here oug):
by the daring Captain Aldado and the patriot Rani- I tli give her, she will proceed all round the coast t,
rez—to-morrow he il expected in this capital. All f Chili, to Coqu tuba, V.lpataiso, &c. to try ttC.t
ihemt pyosperotts.events art; due to the discipiiiie and markets, as nearly the whole of that country is l
constancy evinced by the Chief*, istEcess and troy open to a grand trade, Which will soon shew 1iana,1,4.1

Don Miguel Carteret (one of the Chiefs el t!:e
former revolution in Chiii) some time since imiveA
in this river from the United States, with a s!rt
armed vessel, and has been folio rd by two fiche:,
which he had fitted out to act under the d.ig of the
Government, against Cie Royalists in Chili. This
Government having, however, espousi.,l the party
O'Higgins (who has been named Presi.leat of Chili),
did not approve the interference of Carrera in that
quarter, and accordin;,ly have detained him here. pr.
gaging at the same time the vessels he had been tv:
means of bringing here in their unite. We have,
therefore, again a naval force : but whether design.A
to act in this river, or the uglier side, or in some ei:*
fitenisitt#terA I hate nit been able to learn."

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