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Updated: May 3, 2025
It would be difficult to picture a more fearful scene. The room was full of smoke; shouts and horrible oaths arose; while the Pastucians rushed again and again at our little band, on each occasion unhappily bringing to the ground one or more of our number.
I remarked that there were two or three Pastucians between each of the Patriot officers. Dinner went on as usual, though it was somewhat prolonged. Then speeches were made, chiefly complimentary to each other, both parties avoiding politics. Songs were then sung, and more speeches made. I, however, began to grow very tired of the affair.
We were anxiously waiting for Paul's return, when information was received that the Pastucians the inhabitants of the province of Pasto, some way to the south of Popayan, who, being completely under the influence of the priests, had always opposed the Patriots had risen in arms, and were marching northward in large numbers.
The rest had endeavoured to rally near Captain Pinson, who called to them to make for the door and cut their way out. The Pastucians, who were mostly powerful men, set so fiercely on us, however, that I saw there was but little hope of this being accomplished, although Captain Pinson had already killed two of them. Pistols were drawn, and the bullets now began to fly in all directions.
"Now this is too bad of the boy, when I want to be attending his friend," I heard the doctor say, after he had poured some cordial down my throat, which somewhat restored me. On this, two men whom he summoned took me up and carried me back to Captain Brown's tent. Towards evening, a portion of our troops returned to guard the camp, but the main body was advancing in pursuit of the Pastucians.
It was not of sufficient elevation, however, to prevent me seeing over it on to the plain beyond, where the Pastucians were moving, endeavouring to force their way to the northward their main body attacking our centre, while other divisions were marching to the right and left, evidently with the hope of outflanking the Patriots. I could clearly distinguish the different corps.
"I must look after you," said Captain Brown; "for had you not gone, I should most certainly have been murdered with the rest of the poor fellows." The news I brought naturally excited the greatest indignation, especially amongst the officers and men of the regiment of the Cauca. All hoped that the Pastucians would attack us that night.
A momentary glance showed me that the Pastucians had seen us, and were hurrying along the bank of the river to cut us off. Keeping to the right, therefore, we dashed forward, our horses frequently descending several feet at a time, but alighting always on their legs. It was almost by a miracle that we reached the bottom of the steep hill.
An English officer, a Captain Brown, to whom I was paying a visit, and who was unwell at the time, begged that I would go instead of him, as I might be amused the Pastucians having the credit of being a set of rough diamonds. The next day about a dozen of us set out for the Pastucian lines, two leagues off Captain Pinson, the commander of the company, being our leader.
I was fighting as well as I could by Captain Pinson's side, when he said to me, "Save yourself if you can quick! through the window; all hope is gone for us." This, I feared, was too true; for just then overwhelming numbers of Pastucians rushed into the room, armed with spears and bayonets.
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