The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-21
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
LIMA, Dec. 81, l84l.


LIMA, Dec. 81, l84l.
| In my last l informed you of the political change
| in Bolivia in favor Of General Santa Ciuz who was
called to the Presidency by the unanimous voice of
the people and army of that country Soon after this
| event, General Gamarra, President of Peru, with
army of five thousand men, invaded Bolivia, with the
avowed intention of obging the Boliylans to select
another President He took with him General Bal
livan, native of Bolivia, and aspirant for the
Presidency, who had been elected thence for some
attempts at revolution, and had been residing for
some time in the southern part of Peru On the APP
proach of the Peruvian army towards the frontier
the Bolivian chiefs, fearing that Santa Cruz, then
at Guayaquil, would not arrive in time to assume
the command and defend his country from this in
vasion, declared in favor Of Ballivan and invited
him to enter Bolivia Supreme Chief. This he inn
medately accepted, and leaving Gamarra, the from
tier, with offer to make treaty with Peru, equally
honorable to both nations, proceeded to the city Of
La Paz where he was proclaimed President of Boil
VIA and commander-in-chief Of the army. In the
mean time, under the pretext that Gen Ballivan
under the influence Of the friends and partlsans of
Gen Santa Cruz Gamarra entered Bolivia and march
ed upon La Paz, which place he took possession of
the 18th October Gen. Ballivan having retired far
Their to the interior few days previous, where he col
ected his forces, about 1000 strong, and marched
upon Gamarra They met in tie afternoon of the
18th November at place called Ingavi seven leagues
in the rear of La Paz (whither Gamarra had retreat
ed few days before) but prevented from fight
ing that day by heavy rain, and both armies en-
camped in sight of each other In the night, Gen.
Ballivan, leaving his fires burning, and few
tnels in his camp filed off to the right and ehcamp-
ed in the of Gamarra, thus cutting off his retreat
to Peru. At dawn of day on the 18th, the Peruvian
army were panic struck on finding the Bolivians in
their and already moving to the attack and OPEN
ed their fire before their shot reached half the dis
lance between the two armies. Not a musket was
discharged by the Bolvians until within thirty PAGES
of the Peruvian line when they fired voey, charged
with the bayonet and dispersed the whole Peruvian
A., do bvt boo nJaro
the cavalry to charge but the soldiers turning their
arms against their Chiefs lanced several and fed
the field. Early in the action, Gamarra, the old and
inveterate ntriguer and conspirator the tyrant of
Peru and hangman of his countrymen, attempted
: to fly, and shot down Gas is supposedly by his
his troops, thus freeing Peru forever from
his ign minious yoke. The captain of his body
guard prisoner in La Paz, writes to his
friends in this CITY that the loss of the battle was
principally owing TO the cowardice Of Gamarra. He
buried in the field by is generous foe, wrapped
in the flag he often diseraced May he find in
another world that epose he ariaby refused his
countrymen in this The battle of lngavi de-
cided in fifteen minutes. The Peruvans left on the
, field 500 killed and 422 wounded and in possess
sion of their enemy TIA chiefs and officers and 1920
men prisoners, with all their arms, ammunition,
standards baggage, artillery and military stores of
immense value The Bolvians lost officers and 2OS
men.
The road from the field Of battle to Tacua has been
for several days crowded with the dispersed and flying
cavalry, who have pundered and assassnated without
discrimination Col Mendibura Protect of tina, place
with difficulty avoided being killed by his own men
Thus has ended the marauding expedition of the in
famous Gamarra.
VIII lie these events were transpiring in Bolivia,
Gen Santa Cruz, (the idol Of his countrymen, the
frank arm nd decided friend of foreigners who has
declared that be does not recognise any thing TO-
reign in his country but vice and crime having been
refused passage to his own country in the United
States ship Dale then at Guayaquil, embarked on
- ul.ek han oxloI
the desert coast of Bolivia, where he disembarked
without the possibility Of reaching the interior for
of horses; from thence he proceeded to Cobija
Che only port of Bolivia which he found in pos
session of Peruvian garrison, from whence he was
chased by two Peruvian vessels of war; the comman-
ders of which had orders from this barbarous govern
menl to hang him at yaidarm so soon taken
Fortunately he escaped, and returned to Guayaquil
where he remains silent and gralited spectator Of
the brilliant success of the of his country.
BY our latest advices from the South, we in
formed that two divisions of the Bolivian army had
entered Peru, of which occupied the Department
of Puno, and the other Tacua and africa, from
: whence the Peruvian authorities had fled. General
Ballivan was expected 10 leave La Paz on the 9Th in
slant, with two other divisions for Peru Should he
push on boldly for this place, the whole country will
undoubtedly fall into his possession, govern
meDt will be established and may entertain some
, hopes OF enjoying peace for few years.
The Peruvian force in the battle of Ingavi was
5l35 men the Bolivian 1888 Tie latter fought for
liberty and independence ana In defence OF their wives
and children; the former for conquest, and plumber
The result has been it should be.
From another Correspondent
i LIMA, goth December, lS4l
| "The Bovians have now in their turn invaded
Peru, and are in possession of the southern pro
| vinces, embracing Tacua and AFRICA, which we doubt
if they will give up until they are forced to; which IS
no easy matter for the Peruvians to accomplish
that cannot express any satisfactory opinion as
| to the probable duration of the The immediate
effect of the late battle has been, however, the evacu
alton of Cobija by the Peruvian troops and men-of
war"