Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-10
SPANISH AMERICA.
Fourth BaIittin 81 az Central A,m4.

The junction Of the two divisions of Gems.
n,0nagas and Sarasa being accomplished, con
iornablc To the orders of the commander in
chief, the army commenced its march from the
head quarters ut ST Diego Cabrutica the 18th
August, in the morning, in the direction 'ofthc
Aragua. The object of The commander in
chief was to take possession of that imuort;,nt
position, before the forces that the enemy was
collecting III tue plains OF Caracas, could oc-
cupy II. Ii was necessary 10 make most rapid
marches, but such was the rgour Of the sea-
son, that any other army less animated than
ours, with the enthusiasm OF liberty, would
have heendetained
Copious and continued rains, mpetuous tor
rents, immense rivers, inundated plains. and
obstacles OF every description, that could only
be vanquiShed by republican constaDcv. were
encountered at every step. Notwithstanding
we arrived the Sd INST nc Guatacaro where
obtaining information of the movements Of TIE
army or tue enemy under the command of Mo
rales, the commander il chief determined to
march back (contramarclon) the 4th noon
those forces, to prevent their juaction with
those OF Aragua, whose commander thought
proper TO accelerate our plan precipitatey,
under the dclusion that we were flyny
Our army was encamped on the hill of the
Alacran, on the morning of the 9th, when the
outposts announced they had discovered the
enemy on the heights ofthe Robe Our army
was iorlHed n order OF battle i'll their position
the cavalry of Gen. Monagas occupying the
right, the infantry the centre, under the com
mand of Lieut.. Col Pedro Leon Torres. with
two picquets of Indian bowmen, commanded
, 1y Their chiefs, Monanre and Tupepe and or
tue left, the cavalry ofGen. Zariza; the reserve
commanded by Brevet Col Ricardo Meza,
formed Ill column the rear guard.
Al Ii y. NJ. the enemy began to make his
appearance on inc hill IN our front, with CO.
lunns OF his cavalry, which were reconmoitcr-
ed on our right by Gen. Monagas. and on the
LETT by Col infante.
a party OF the enemy's light troops took pos
sesslonot wood i'll front of our right, and the
+ est OF his columns followed forming his line
supported on the same wood with another i'm
his rear his infantry occupying the centre
covered by Indian archers and the wings with
iar%e bodIes OF cavalry; in the centre they had
Il FOUNDER
4 party OF the enemy's light troops attempt
cd to take possession of an Intermediate small
wood, between his left and our right and ours
opposing, him, the action commenced. The
commander in chief then ordered the yInl..
line TO move forward, which was etiacted in
the best order-the enemy reinforced his li@ht
troops in the woods, and the same was done
under smartflre on both sides, whilst Cur line
descended from the hill with the greatest cool
ness, the enemy occupying his advantageous
position.
On OurarrivaI al the wood, the enemy made
general discharge which was returned by our
line, continuing its march rapidlv Tho valiant
squadron having AT its head Gc2. Zaraza, fell
upon the encmys right, which lie caused 10 re-
tire to the rear of his infantry, while the com
nander I'D chic, taking the colours OF the bat
talon, (de Barlovento) put liiusefat the head
OF the infantry, commanding them to charge
with the bayonet, precipitated himself into tie
enemy's line
Gen. Nlonaeas charged on the left the in
fantry of the reserve Joined the line in this
movement, and the cavalry on our right. char
Sed on the cncmys left, with such mpet
uosty, that the battle was decided in a few
minutes III the complete destruction of tho enc
NV.
The enemyleftmore than FIVE hundred killed
ON the field, amongst whom was captain Ouix
ado, OF the Kings battalion, with nearly all its
officers. We took 300 prisoners, $50 muskets,
large quantity of lances, ammunition chests
one color, one field piece. and many horses. He
was pursued with perseverance in every drec-
ton, aud tue same night the whole of our army
arrived at Chaparro.
Our loss consisted Of 4 killed, amongst whom
was cornet of the gallant squadron, and A.
bout 10 wounded amongst whom were ~ Off
GERS of various ranks. In no action was their
intrepidity and good order more conspicuous:
soldiers, officers, chiefs and generals. all were
animated with the same spirit, and. 10 cite any
in particular, would be doing an injury TO the
rest.
Head Quarters, at Aragua. Sent. sfh. 1916.
CARLOS SOUBLETT, Ma. Gen.