The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-21

ed letters from correspondents give the partcu
lars of that memorable engagement, and announce
the further intelligence that the Boyians have, in
their turn invaded Peru, and taken possession Of the
Southern Provinces
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
LIMA, Dec. 81, 154l.
In my last, informed you of the political change
in Bolivia in favor Of General Santa C,uz, 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 an
army of FIVE thousand men, invaded Bolivia, with the
avowed intention of obliging the Bolivians to select
another President. He took with him General Bal
livan, a native Of Bolivia, and asprant 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 as Supreme Chief This he i'm
mediatey accepted, ndleavng 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 was
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. Bavan having retired far
Their to the interior few days previous, where he col
lected his forces, about 1000 strong, and marched
upon Gamarra. They met in tie afternoon of the
18th November at place called Ingav leagues
in the rear of La Paz (whther Gamarra had retreat
ed few days before) but were 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 sem
tnels in his camp, filed of 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 Bolivans 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 musket was
discharged by the Bolivians until within thirty PAGES
of the Peruvian line, when they fired voey, charged
with the bayonet and dispersed the whole Peruvian
army. An attempt was made by the commander of
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
nveterate intrguer and conspirator, the tyrant of
Peru and hangman of his countrymen, attempted
to fly, and was shot down Gas is supposedly by his
his own troops, thus freeing Peru forever from
his ignominious yoke. The captain Of his body
guard, now a prisoner in La Paz, writes to his
friends in this city that the loss Of the battle was
principally owing to the cowardice Of Gamana He
buried in the field by lis generous foe, wrapped
in the flag he SO often diseraced. May he find in
another world that repose be invariably refused his
countrymen in this The battle Of lngavi was de-
cided in fifteen minutes. The Peruvians left the
passes
sion of their enemy TIA chiefs and officers and 1890
men prisoners with oil their arms, ammunition,
standards, baggage, artillery and military stores of
immense value. The Bolivans lost officers and 20S
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 assassinated without
discrimination Col Mendibura Protect of that 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 Transporting in Bolivia,
Gen. Santa Cruz, (the idol Of his countrymen, the
frank, and decided friend of foreigners who has
declared that he does not recognise any thing TO-
reign in his country, but vice and crime having been
refused passage to his own country in tho United
States ship Dale then at Guayaqui embarked on
board an English merchant vessel, and proceeded to
the desert coast Of Bolivia, where he disembarked
without the possibility of reaching the interior for
want Of horses; from thence he proceeded to Cobja
(he only port Of Bolivia) wnich he found in pos
session OF a Peruvian garrison from whence he was
chased by two Peruvian vessels Of war, the comman-
ders Of which had orders from this barbarous govern
ment to hang him at yaid-arm SO soon as taken
Fortunately he escaped, and returned to Guayaquil,
where he remains silent and graifed spectator OF
the brilliant success of the arms of his country.
By our latest advces from the South, we are in
formed that two divisions of the Bolivian army had
entered Peru, one of which occupied the Department
Of Puno, and the other Tacua and africa. from
Baivan expected 10 leave La Paz on the 6 h 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
ment will be established, and we may entertain some
hopes OF enjoying peace for a few years.
The Peruvian force in the battle of Ingavi was
5l35 men the Bolivian $685. TIE latter fought for
liberty and independence and in defence of their wives
and children; the former for conquest and plumber
The result has been as it should be-
From another Correspondent
LIMA 20th December, 1871.
"The Bolivians have in their turn invaded
Peru, and are in possession of the southern pro-
vnces, embracing Tacua and africa, which we doubt
If they will give up until they forced to; which
no easy matter for the Peruvians accomplish
SO that we cannot express any satisfactory opinion
to the probable duration of the The immediate
effect Of the late battle has BEEN however, the
alton of Cobija by the Peruvian troops and men-of-
war"