ecute
the usual Spanish order--to "drive the insurgents into the sea"--Miller
determined on attacking them separately. The Arequipa detachment, under
Colonel Hera, was fallen in with at Maribe, and immediately routed, the
result being that nearly the whole were killed or taken prisoners,
together with four hundred mules and their baggage. In this affair we
lost a valued officer, Mr. Welsh, an assistant surgeon, who had
volunteered to accompany the detachment. This gentleman was sincerely
mourned by all, and his early death was a great loss to the patriot
service.

This action was fought none too soon, for before it was over the other
detachments from Puno and La Plaz appeared in sight, so that the
patriots had to face a fresh enemy. With his usual promptness Miller
despatched Captain Hind, with a rocket party, to oppose their passage of
a river; when, finding that the Arequipa detachment had been cut up,
the royalists remounted their mules and decamped, in the direction of
Moquega.

On the 22nd Miller pursued the runaway royalists, and, on the 24th,
entered Moquega, by a forced march of nearly a hundred miles, where he
found the enemy, deserted by their colonel. Notwithstanding the fatigue
of the Chilenos, an instant attack was made, when the whole, with the
exception of about twenty killed, were made prisoners. The inhabitants
at once gave in their adherence to the cause of independence, their
Governor, Colonel Portocarrera, being the first to set the example.

On the 25th Colonel Miller learned that a Spanish force was passing
Torata, about fifteen miles distant, when, coming up with them on the
following day, they were all taken prisoners or dispersed, as were also
those who had fled from Arica, numbering four hundred men; so that in
less than a fortnight after landing at Arica, the patriot forces had
killed and made prisoners upwards of one thousand of the royalist army,
by a series of difficult forced marches, and amidst hunger and
privations of every kind, which were cheerfully borne by the Chilenos,
who were no less inspired by a love of country than with attachment to
their commander. The result was the complete submission of the Spaniards
from the sea to the Cordilleras, Arica forming the key to the whole
country.

Having ascertained that Colonel Miller was at Moquega, I took the _San
Martin_ to Ilo, from which anchorage the patriot force was supplied
with everything requisite. The sick were taken on board