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Updated: May 27, 2025
"Well, at last we moved, and marched as far as Torata. Do you know the place at all?" "Oh yes; it's a few miles from Moquegua, isn't it?" "That's it. Well, the Spaniards were at Torata, and we tried to turn them out, but failed. Then they attacked, and we were beaten. It was simply awful. The legion fought like a battalion of heroes. Every one praised us; but praise won't bring the dead to life.
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.
He was very curious about our escape, and could barely credit that we had crossed the morass without assistance. "It has been done before," he said, "but only once or twice, and then by natives." "We shan't do it again," laughed Alzura. "It nearly turned our hair white. It was the nastiest experience I have ever had worse than when the Royalists cut us up at Torata."
"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."
"All that is left of him." "Where is the first battalion?" Spreading his hands out dramatically, he said, "Haven't you heard? Don't you know what has happened at Torata and Moquegua?" "I have heard nothing but some very dark rumours," I replied uneasily. "They cannot be darker than the truth. The army has been destroyed, and the battalion with it." "And the colonel?"
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