United States or Kazakhstan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Meanwhile, the Spaniards under command of Canterac were advancing against Trujillo. Bolivar set to work again with that feverish activity which seemed to enable him to create everything from nothing men, uniforms, arms, horses, even horseshoes.
Wherever the troops seemed weakest, there he was, flag in hand, cheering them on and fighting desperately. When at last they could stand it no longer, but broke and fled, he got together another little band to protect the retreat. But for him, I doubt whether Canterac would have saved a quarter of his cavalry.
In a short time Colonel Miller and his friend were in the room, and each in turn shook me heartily by the hand. "We hardly expected to see you again so soon," said the colonel, laughing. "We thought Canterac had taken a fancy to your company. I hope there is no permanent injury to the foot?" "Oh no, colonel; only I shan't be able to do any more mountain climbing yet awhile."
In June the Andes were crossed, and on August 2nd, the army was assembled on the plain of Sacramento, near Pasco. There he arranged his soldiers for battle and decided to attack on the 6th the royalists, who were near by. Canterac was approaching with an army of 9,000 of which 2,000 were cavalrymen.
"I suppose it's all right," said Alzura; "but I can't help thinking Bolivar has made a big blunder. While we hang about here, Canterac is pulling himself together, and we shall have all the work to do over again. If I were the general " "I should join the other side immediately," laughed Plaza. "Please don't interrupt," said Cordova. "It amuses me to hear these youngsters talk.
They put all their reserves into action, but the soldiers of the independent army were determined to triumph, and Cordova, himself, had the glory of taking the viceroy prisoner. It is said that in the afternoon of that day the insurgents were fewer in number than their prisoners. A capitulation was proposed and was accepted, Canterac signing on account of the capture of the viceroy.
Juan, you will just have time to ride clear, and not much to spare. No doubt Canterac has sent some of his troops by the near cut." All was bustle and activity in the ravine. Officers issued commands, troopers saddled their horses, muskets were seen to, an extra supply of ammunition was served out, and in a very short time everybody save the few men left to guard the ravine was ready to march.
"But how came Canterac to let you through the passes without a fight?" I asked. "A case of pride going before a fall, I expect. He thinks to serve us as he did at Torata. By the way, Crawford, you gave Miller his wrong rank this morning. He's a general now, and chief of all the Peruvian cavalry." "Bravo, that's grand news! There isn't a better soldier in the army."
The battle thus won by ragged and hungry soldiers whose countersign the night before had been "bread and cheese" threw off the yoke of the mother country forever. The viceroy fell wounded into their hands and Canterac surrendered. On receipt of the glorious news, the people of Lima greeted Bolivar with wild enthusiasm.
"Yes; his provisions must be gone by now. Your San Martin is an old woman. Why did he allow Canterac to escape? My men and I have been marched about from place to place just where we could do no good. I shall not trouble to obey orders any more. We are not children to be treated thus." Sorillo was very sore on the subject, and returned to it over and over again.
Word Of The Day