emy; who, thus taken by surprise, had not time
to bring their artillery to bear upon us. A smaller force of
newly-arrived English troops, under Colonel Ferrier, was fearfully cut
to pieces; their gallant commander being killed just as he had succeeded
in recovering his colours taken by the Spaniards. I am sorry to say
that some of the llaneros under General Paez, unable to withstand the
repeated volleys of musketry which the well-formed ranks of the
Spaniards poured into them, for a few minutes showed the white feather,
and began to retreat; but the general, after lancing a dozen or more,
succeeded in rallying them and leading them against the enemy.

We meanwhile got through, with our well-trained cavalry; and while the
British, supported by the ferocious Sambos, charged with the bayonet
into the thickest of the Spanish lines, we, led by Bermudez, sprang
forward at headlong speed, with lances in rest; and Paez and his men
again attacking the remaining part of the enemy's line, they now went
down before us like chaff before the wind. The British legion, with
their black supporters, had already forced the centre, bayoneting
hundreds of their opponents; and now, when Paez and our party charged
upon the devoted Royalists, horrible indeed was the destruction which
overtook them.

Again and again we charged, each time adding to the fearful slaughter.
Fresh troops now came pouring through the defile, and cut off those
portions of the Spanish army which had separated from the main body,--
invariably putting them to death. Several times I got glimpses of the
padre leading on a band of horsemen against the ranks of the enemy,
flourishing a huge sword, but never once, to my belief, striking with
it; conscientiously allowing his followers to do the killing work with
their lances. He seemed to bear a charmed life, for, though in the
thickest of the fight, the bullets whizzed harmlessly by him.

In one hour from the time Colonel McIntosh entered the plain, five
entire battalions of the enemy had laid down their arms; whilst, with
one exception, the survivors of the remaining regiments had taken to
flight.

I feel called upon to speak of the gallantry of one young Spanish
officer, who, at the head of his regiment, remained on the field
fighting to the last; then, perceiving that he had no longer a chance of
contending successfully against us, he moved his men off in a cool and
regular manner. So struck was General Paez with