Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-06-29

1t is surprising belief to say, that ID
the course u three days the army va,
re-organized in the field Of INSTRUCTION,
one lergue distant from the city. The
Spirits Of the suldiers were regained, and
in thirteen days after our defeat, and ,
retreat Of eighty leagues, we found cur.
selves in a situation 10 meet the enemy
The interest, energy, and firmness vii,
which the chiefs and all the officers o. Il,
army CO operated to establish order and
discipline, will rebound to their etern,I
honor. 1t is true that our forces v.r,
inferior to those Of the enemy. Mauy
Of our corps were mere skeletons, and
we had batalions composed Of only zoo
men.
In the mean time the enemy was i'd.
vancing with rapidity. and On the l.t 10.
slant, | had positive information that Ii.
main part Of the army had crossed The
Mapui BY the Fords Of Loogueuen, and
directed their march towards the defiI,,
of La Cabra.
The position of our encampment VA.
neither secure or military. On tie I'd
we encamped on the EsbejO. That day,
and on the Sd aud 4th, our guerilla, had
much GriDg, and the armies passed all
those nights under arms. The enemy 40.
preached us at last on the 9Th, ali his
movements appeared directed to turn
our right, threaten the capital, cut Of
oar communication with hcoucagua, and
secure to himselfthe communication With
Valparaiso.
When observed that he had for hi,
object the accomplishment Of this move.
ment, ! considered that a favorable o.
portunity to attack him on his march,
and place myseIfin lis front by means
OF change Of direction on the right
This was the preparation to all the pos
terror operations. ,
! Immediately placed all the infantry
under the command of the we'll deser-
wing Brigadiere General Balcarce; the
right under col. Las tieras; the left
under the lieut.. colonel Don lilarian
de "a Qui1taaa the cavalry Of the right
under col. Hartias Zapigla, with his
squadrons Of grenadiers and that Of the
left under colonel Don Ramon Freyre,
with his squadrons Of the guard Of his
eIcellency the director Of Chill, and the
chasseurs OF the Andes.
The enemy, having perceived our frat
took strong position, de-
taching to small hill a battalion Of chas.
seurs to support battery Of four peicei
placed at this poiIt.-This disposition
was well chosen, as it completely seoul
I'd their left, and their fires flanked and
beat all the front Of the position.
Our line, formed in close ard parallel
inclined on the right of the enc.
ny, presenting an obIique attack on his
lank. which was uncovered. The re-
'er,e charging also upon the same. was
"a the attitude of turning it and support.
ing our right. The battery Of eight pie.
ces Of Chill, commanded by commandsnt
Blanco Ciceron, and another Of four pie.
ces under commandant Plaza, were ad.
vantsgeOusly placed, aud played with
success upon the enemy's position.
In this situation, our columns began TO
move from the skirts of the small Bin
which formed our position, to march 10
charge the enemJ's line. who then CON-
menced most tremendous fire, but did
not succeed in stopping our march. His
aank battery did us great injury ; at the
same time q heavy mass OF enemy's ca.
Valry, situated in the interval, came 10
charge The horse grapadiers, who being
formed in columns by squadrons. were
advancing on US in front. The first
squadron was commanded BY EscaIada,
who seeing himself threatened BY the
enemy, marched Immediately upon hin,
sword in hand. The comdt. Medina, fol.
lowed his movement. The firing CON.
nenced from our lett. and soon the whole
line was engaged, and the reserve, which
came up at the moment the vigor. of on,
line began to droop. But the chsv.
made by the reserve and by the CON.
Tonson, Of the lst regiment Of
Ccauimbo, gave rev impulse to our
Inc, which fell upon the enemy with
more spirit than ever. It may be said
hat hardly brisker attack has been
Aitnessed, nor more vigorous and CD
'tinate resistance. The constancy Of
Dur soldiers and their heroic force trium.
Pied at last, and the enemy was put COM
pletely to the rout.
The general in chit. Osorio. e,caped
with only about 200 hursemen. Its prob
able he will be taken By the cavalry that
psrsnes him. All bis generals are pris.
nners in our possession. The number Of
the prisoners IS about 5000, AID $50 off,
GERS, with the greater part Of the chiefs
Of the corps. The field Of battle is COW
Fred with nm killed alIh;s artillery,