The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-07-25
BENAYlDEs. IRE Pirntc.

Gus. lie was native Of Conception
Island, and served for some time /,
the Chilian army. from which he dc
serted to the Royalists. but was re-
taken attic battle Of Maybe in 1918
lie was terocious character, and
IN addition TO the crime Of dcsertion
he had committed several murders
tie was sentenced to death, along
with his brother, and 1 delinouents.
Accordingly. the whole party we're
brought forth in the Piazza of SIM.
tiago, and shot. Benayidcs. who,
though terribly wounded. was moi
killed. had sufficient fortitude to
feign himself dead. The bodies be.
ing dragged off, were left without
burial to be destroyed by tho galig-
Danos, species of ,ulturc. The
sergeant who snperintended this last
part of the ceremony. was personal
~ inimical to Benayides, for mur-
dcring some oil his relations and 10
crafty his revenge, drew his sword
and while they we're dragging the
body ct his foe to the pile, gave it a
severe cash across the neck. The
resolute Benavidos bore this also
without dinching, and lay like a dead
man amongst others. until it bccanie
dark he then extricated himself
from the heap. and in most mise
rabIe plightcra"led to neishbor-
ing cottage, the generous inhabitants
of which received and attended him
with the greatest care.
General San Martin, who was at
that time planning the expedition to
Peru, and was looking iov able and
enterprising men, heard of Bcncyides
being still alive and knowing his
talents and courage, considered him
tit person to serve some OF his des-
perate purposes in those trying
times, when, to gain the great objects
in view, there was little scIupuious-
ness about the means. 1t is even
said that the bold ruffian himself
gave information of his being alive,
and invited San Martin to hold Sc
crct conference at midnight, in the
centre OF the great square Of Santa
go. The appointed SigDal Was to
strike fire from their hints 8 times !;
a mark sufficiently conspicuous for
the purpose Of distinction, yet of Il
nature calculated to excite no suspi-
cion. San Martin accordingly, a
lone, and provided with brace Of
pistols. went 10 the spot, where he
encountered Renavides similarly ar
med. After long conference with
the desperate, whom he finally enga-
ged in his service, he settled that
kenavides should, for the present,
serve in the Gillian army employed
against the Armenian Indians in
the south, but should be ready to
join the army III Peru when the cx-
petition should sail. This was ill
Judged in San Martin for Bena-
vides soon qnarrelled with the Chi
liam general, and once more changed
sides. offering his services to the In
dams, who were delighted to obtain
SO brave and unrelenting an associ-
ATE. In short time his experience
aud congcnial ferocity gave him Sc
great an aseendancy among his war.
like race, that lie was elected com
mander in chief.
In this capacity he took various
ships and the crews prisoners FOL
Benavides, though a fcrocious sa-
wage, WAS, nevertheless, a man OF re-
source, full OF activity, and of consi.
derable energy Of character. lie
converted the whale spears and bar.
poems into lances for his cavalry, and
halberts for his sergcants: the car
pentcrs he set to building baggage
carts. and repairing his boats the
almorers he cptpcrpetually at work
mending muskets and making spikes
He treated the officers. too, (pllscf
ers,> not unl>indly, allowed them Il
live in his house, and was very anx.
ious, on all occasions, to have then
advice respecting the equipment o
the troops. Upon an occasion,whel
walking with the captain of the Her
sell, he rcmarl cd that his army was
now almost complete in every thing
except in ono essential particular, q
it cut him (he said) to the very soul
to think Of suci deficiency he hat
no trumpets for his cavalry ; and ad'
ded, it was impossible to make th'
fellows believe themselves dra
coons, unless they heard blast il
IiItei, ears at every turn; and mel
thrr men noi. horses would do tlieli
duty properly, if not reused to It BY
the sound Of trumpet. In short
a. 1hNifR fnIlSf IN