Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the head of twelve
hundred men, to take the city of Panama.
Captain Morgan set forth from the castle of Chagre, towards Panama,
August 18, 1670. He had with him twelve hundred men, five boats laden
with artillery, and thirty-two canoes. The first day they sailed only
six leagues, and came to a place called De los Bracos. Here a party of
his men went ashore, only to sleep and stretch their limbs, being
almost crippled with lying too much crowded in the boats. Having
rested awhile, they went abroad to seek victuals in the neighbouring
plantations; but they could find none, the Spaniards being fled, and
carrying with them all they had. This day, being the first of their
journey, they had such scarcity of victuals, as the greatest part were
forced to pass with only a pipe of tobacco, without any other
refreshment.
Next day, about evening, they came to a place called Cruz de Juan
Gallego. Here they were compelled to leave their boats and canoes, the
river being very dry for want of rain, and many trees having fallen
into it.
The guides told them, that, about two leagues farther, the country
would be very good to continue the journey by land. Hereupon they left
one hundred and sixty men on board the boats, to defend them, that
they might serve for a refuge in necessity.
Next morning, being the third day, they all went ashore, except those
who were to keep the boats. To these Captain Morgan gave order, under
great penalties, that no man, on any pretext whatever, should dare to
leave the boats, and go ashore; fearing lest they should be surprised
by an ambuscade of Spaniards in the neighbouring woods, which appeared
so thick as to seem almost impenetrable. This morning beginning their
march, the ways proved so bad, that Captain Morgan thought it more
convenient to transport some of the men in canoes (though with great
labour) to a place farther up the river, called Cedro Bueno. Thus they
re-embarked, and the canoes returned for the rest; so that about night
they got altogether at the said place. The pirates much desired to
meet some Spaniards or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with
their provisions, being reduced to extremity and hunger.
The fourth day the greatest part of the pirates marched by land, being
led by one of the guides; the rest went by water farther up, being
conducted by another guide, who always went before them, to discover,
on both sides of the river, the ambuscades. These had also spies, who
were very dextrous to give notice of all accidents, or of the arrival
of the pirates, six hours, at least, before they came. This day, about
noon, they came near a post called Torna Cavallos: here the guide of
the canoes cried out, that he perceived an ambuscade. His voice caused
infinite joy to all the pirates, hoping to find some provisions to
satiate their extreme hunger. Being come to the place, they found
nobody in it, the Spaniards being fled, and leaving nothing behind but
a few leathern bags, all empty, and a few crumbs of bread scattered on
the ground where they had eaten. Being angry at this, they pulled down
a few little huts which the Spaniards had made, and fell to eating the
leathern bags, to allay the ferment of their stomachs, which was now
so sharp as to gnaw their very bowels. Thus they made a huge banquet
upon these bags of leather, divers quarrels arising concerning the
greatest shares. By the bigness of the place, they conjectured about
five hundred Spaniards had been there, whom, finding no victuals, they
were now infinitely desirous to meet, intending to devour some of them
rather than perish.
Having feasted themselves with those pieces of leather, they marched
on, till they came about night to another post, called Torna Munni.
Here they found another ambuscade, but as barren as the former. They
searched the neighbouring woods, but could not find anything to eat,
the Spaniards having been so provident, as not to leave anywhere the
least crumb of sustenance, whereby the pirates were now brought to
this extremity. Here again he was happy that had reserved since noon
any bit of leather to make his supper of, drinking after it a good
draught of water for his comfort. Some, who never were out of their
mothers’ kitchens, may ask, how these pirates could eat and digest
those pieces of leather, so hard and dry? Whom I answer, that, could
they once experiment what hunger, or rather famine, is, they would
find the way as the pirates did. For these first sliced it in pieces,
then they beat it between two stones, and rubbed it, often dipping it
in water, to make it supple and tender. Lastly, they scraped off the
hair, and broiled it. Being thus cooked, they cut it into small
morsels, and ate it, helping it down with frequent gulps of water,
which, by good fortune, they had at hand.
The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place called Barbacoa. Here
they found traces of another ambuscade, but the place totally as
unprovided as the former. At a small distance were several
plantations, which they searched very narrowly, but could not find any
person animal, or other thing, to relieve their extreme hunger.
Finally, having ranged about, and searched a long time, they found a
grot, which seemed to be but lately hewn out of a rock, where were two
sacks of meal, wheat, and like things, with two great jars of wine,
and certain fruits called platanoes. Captain Morgan, knowing some of
his men were now almost dead with hunger, and fearing the same of the
rest, caused what was found to be distributed among them who were in
greatest necessity. Having refreshed themselves with these victuals,
they marched anew with greater courage than ever. Such as were weak
were put into the canoes, and those commanded to land that were in
them before. Thus they prosecuted their journey till late at night;
when coming to a plantation, they took up their rest, but without
eating anything; for the Spaniards, as before, had swept away all
manner of provisions.
The sixth day they continued their march, part by land and part by
water. Howbeit, they were constrained to rest very frequently, both
for the ruggedness of the way, and their extreme weakness, which they
endeavoured to relieve by eating leaves of trees and green herbs, or
grass; such was their miserable condition. This day at noon they
arrived at a plantation, where was a barn full of maize. Immediately
they beat down the doors and ate it dry, as much as they could devour;
then they distributed a great quantity, giving every man a good
allowance. Thus provided, and prosecuting their journey for about an
hour, they came to another ambuscade. This they no sooner discovered,
but they threw away their maize, with the sudden hopes of finding all
things in abundance. But they were much deceived, meeting neither
Indians nor victuals, nor anything else: but they saw, on the other
side of the river, about a hundred Indians, who, all fleeing, escaped.
Some few pirates leaped into the river to cross it, and try to take
any of the Indians, but in vain: for, being much more nimble than the
pirates, they not only baffled them, but killed two or three with
their arrows; hooting at them, and crying, “Ha, perrros! a la savana,
a la savana.”--“Ha, ye dogs! go to the plain, go to the plain.”
This day they could advance no farther, being necessitated to pass the
river, to continue their march on the other side. Hereupon they
reposed for that night, though their sleep was not profound; for great
murmurings were made at Captain Morgan, and his conduct; some being
desirous to return home, while others would rather die there than go
back a step from their undertaking: others, who had greater courage,
laughed and joked at their discourses. Meanwhile, they had a guide who
much comforted them, saying, “It would not now be long before they met
with people from whom they should reap some considerable advantage.”
The seventh day, in the morning, they made clean their arms, and every
one discharged his pistol, or musket, without bullet, to try their
firelocks. This done, they crossed the river, leaving the post where
they had rested, called Santa Cruz, and at noon they arrived at a
village called Cruz. Being yet far from the place, they perceived much
smoke from the chimneys: the sight hereof gave them great joy, and
hopes of finding people and plenty of good cheer. Thus they went on as
fast as they could, encouraging one another, saying, “There is smoke
comes out of every house: they are making good fires, to roast and
boil what we are to eat;” and the like.
At length they arrived there, all sweating and panting, but found no
person in the town, nor anything eatable to refresh themselves, except
good fires, which they wanted not; for the Spaniards, before their
departure, had every one set fire to his own house, except the king’s
storehouses and stables.
They had not left behind them any beast, alive or dead, which much
troubled their minds, not finding anything but a few cats and dogs,
which they immediately killed and devoured. At last, in the king’s
stables, they found, by good fortune, fifteen or sixteen jars of Peru
wine, and a leathern sack full of bread. No sooner had they drank of
this wine, when they fell sick, almost every man: this made them think
the wine was poisoned, which caused a new consternation in the whole
camp, judging themselves now to be irrecoverably lost. But the true
reason was, their want of sustenance, and the manifold sorts of trash
they had eaten. Their sickness was so great, as caused them to remain
there till the next morning, without being able to prosecute their
journey in the afternoon. This village is seated in 9 deg. 2 min.
north latitude, distant from the river Chagre twenty-six Spanish
leagues, and eight from Panama. This is the last place to which boats
or canoes can come; for which reason they built here storehouses for
all sorts of merchandise, which to and from Panama are transported on
the backs of mules.
Here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his canoes, and land all his
men, though never so weak; but lest the canoes should be surprised, or
take up too many men for their defence, he sent them all back to the
place where the boats were, except one, which he hid, that it might
serve to carry intelligence. Many of the Spaniards and Indians of this
village having fled to the near plantations, Captain Morgan ordered
that none should go out of the village, except companies of one
hundred together, fearing lest the enemy should take an advantage upon
his men. Notwithstanding, one party contravened these orders, being
tempted with the desire of victuals: but they were soon glad to fly
into the town again, being assaulted with great fury by some Spaniards
and Indians, who carried one of them away prisoner. Thus the vigilancy
and care of Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every
accident.
The eighth day in the morning Captain Morgan sent two hundred men
before the body of his army, to discover the way to Panama, and any
ambuscades therein: the path being so narrow, that only ten or twelve
persons could march abreast, and often not so many. After ten hours’
march they came to a place called Quebrada Obscura: here, all on a
sudden, three or four thousand arrows were shot at them, they not
perceiving whence they came, or who shot them: though they presumed it
was from a high rocky mountain, from one side to the other, whereon
was a grot, capable of but one horse or other beast laded. This
multitude of arrows much alarmed the pirates, especially because they
could not discover whence they were discharged. At last, seeing no
more arrows, they marched a little farther, and entered a wood: here
they perceived some Indians to fly as fast as they could, to take the
advantage of another post, thence to observe their march; yet there
remained one troop of Indians on the place, resolved to fight and
defend themselves, which they did with great courage till their
captain fell down wounded; who, though he despaired of life, yet his
valour being greater than his strength, would ask no quarter, but,
endeavouring to raise himself, with undaunted mind laid hold of his
azagayo, or javelin, and struck at one of the pirates; but before he
could second the blow, he was shot to death. This was also the fate of
many of his companions, who, like good soldiers, lost their lives with
their captain, for the defence of their country.
The pirates endeavoured to take some of the Indians prisoners, but
they being swifter than the pirates, every one escaped, leaving eight
pirates dead, and ten wounded: yea, had the Indians been more dextrous
in military affairs, they might have defended that passage, and not
let one man pass. A little while after they came to a large champaign,
open, and full of fine meadows; hence they could perceive at a
distance before them some Indians, on the top of a mountain, near the
way by which they were to pass: they sent fifty men, the nimblest they
had, to try to catch any of them, and force them to discover their
companions: but all in vain; for they escaped by their nimbleness, and
presently showed themselves in another place, hallooing to the
English, and crying, “A la savana, a la savana, cornudos, perros
Ingleses!” that is, “To the plain, to the plain, ye cuckolds, ye
English dogs!” Meanwhile the ten pirates that were wounded were
dressed, and plastered up.
Here was a wood, and on each side a mountain. The Indians possessed
themselves of one, and the pirates of the other. Captain Morgan was
persuaded the Spaniards had placed an ambuscade there, it lying so
conveniently: hereupon, he sent two hundred men to search it. The
Spaniards and Indians perceiving the pirates descend the mountain, did
so too, as if they designed to attack them; but being got into the
wood, out of sight of the pirates, they were seen no more, leaving the
passage open.
About night fell a great rain, which caused the pirates to march the
faster, and seek for houses to preserve their arms from being wet; but
the Indians had set fire to every one, and driven away all their
cattle, that the pirates, finding neither houses nor victuals, might
be constrained to return: but, after diligent search, they found a few
shepherds’ huts, but in them nothing to eat. These not holding many
men, they placed in them, out of every company, a small number, who
kept the arms of the rest: those who remained in the open field
endured much hardship that night, the rain not ceasing till morning.
Next morning, about break of day, being the ninth of that tedious
journey, Captain Morgan marched on while the fresh air of the morning
lasted; for the clouds hanging yet over their heads, were much more
favourable than the scorching rays of the sun, the way being now more
difficult than before. After two hours’ march, they discovered about
twenty Spaniards, who observed their motions: they endeavoured to
catch some of them, but could not, they suddenly disappearing, and
absconding themselves in caves among the rocks, unknown to the
pirates. At last, ascending a high mountain, they discovered the South
Sea. This happy sight, as if it were the end of their labours, caused
infinite joy among them: hence they could descry also one ship, and
six boats, which were set forth from Panama, and sailed towards the
islands of Tavoga and Tavogilla: then they came to a vale where they
found much cattle, whereof they killed good store: here, while some
killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls, and chiefly asses, of which
there were most; others kindled fires, and got wood to roast them:
then cutting the flesh into convenient pieces, or gobbets, they threw
them into the fire, and, half carbonaded or roasted, they devoured
them, with incredible haste and appetite; such was their hunger, as
they more resembled cannibals than Europeans; the blood many times
running down from their beards to their waists.
Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered them to continue
the march. Here, again, he sent before the main body fifty men to take
some prisoners, if they could; for he was much concerned, that in nine
days he could not meet one person to inform him of the condition and
forces of the Spaniards. About evening they discovered about two
hundred Spaniards, who hallooed to the pirates, but they understood
not what they said. A little while after they came in sight of the
highest steeple of Panama: this they no sooner discovered but they
showed signs of extreme joy, casting up their hats into the air,
leaping and shouting, just as if they had already obtained the
victory, and accomplished their designs. All their trumpets sounded,
and drums beat, in token of this alacrity of their minds: thus they
pitched their camp for that night, with general content of the whole
army, waiting with impatience for the morning, when they intended to
attack the city. This evening appeared fifty horse, who came out of
the city, on the noise of the drums and trumpets, to observe, as it
was thought, their motions: they came almost within musket-shot of the
army, with a trumpet that sounded marvellously well. Those on
horseback hallooed aloud to the pirates, and threatened them, saying,
“Perros! nos veremos,” that is, “Ye dogs! we shall meet ye.” Having
made this menace, they returned to the city, except only seven or
eight horsemen, who hovered thereabouts to watch their motions.
Immediately after the city fired, and ceased not to play their biggest
guns all night long against the camp, but with little or no harm to
the pirates, whom they could not easily reach. Now also the two
hundred Spaniards, whom the pirates had seen in the afternoon,
appeared again, making a show of blocking up the passages, that no
pirates might escape their hands: but the pirates, though in a manner
besieged, instead of fearing their blockades, as soon as they had
placed sentinels about their camp, opened their satchels, and, without
any napkins or plates, fell to eating, very heartily, the pieces of
bulls’ and horses’ flesh which they had reserved since noon. This
done, they laid themselves down to sleep on the grass, with great
repose and satisfaction, expecting only, with impatience, the dawning
of the next day.
The tenth day, betimes in the morning, they put all their men in
order, and, with drums and trumpets sounding, marched directly towards
the city; but one of the guides desired Captain Morgan not to take the
common highway, lest they should find in it many ambuscades. He took
his advice, and chose another way through the wood, though very
irksome and difficult. The Spaniards perceiving the pirates had taken
another way they scarce had thought on, were compelled to leave their
stops and batteries, and come out to meet them. The governor of Panama
put his forces in order, consisting of two squadrons, four regiments
of foot, and a huge number of wild bulls, which were driven by a great
number of Indians, with some negroes, and others, to help them.
The pirates, now upon their march, came to the top of a little hill,
whence they had a large prospect of the city and champaign country
underneath. Here they discovered the forces of the people of Panama,
in battle array, to be so numerous, that they were surprised with
fear, much doubting the fortune of the day: yea, few or none there
were but wished themselves at home, or at least free from the
obligation of that engagement, it so nearly concerning their lives.
Having been some time wavering in their minds, they at last reflected
on the straits they had brought themselves into, and that now they
must either fight resolutely, or die; for no quarter could be expected
from an enemy on whom they had committed so many cruelties. Hereupon
they encouraged one another, resolving to conquer, or spend the last
drop of blood. Then they divided themselves into three battalions,
sending before two hundred bucaniers, who were very dextrous at their
guns. Then descending the hill, they marched directly towards the
Spaniards, who in a spacious field waited for their coming. As soon as
they drew nigh, the Spaniards began to shout and cry, “Viva el rey!”
“God save the king!” and immediately their horse moved against the
pirates: but the fields being full of quags, and soft underfoot, they
could not wheel about as they desired. The two hundred bucaniers, who
went before, each putting one knee to the ground, began the battle
briskly, with a full volley of shot: the Spaniards defended themselves
courageously, doing all they could to disorder the pirates. Their foot
endeavoured to second the horse, but were constrained by the pirates
to leave them. Finding themselves baffled, they attempted to drive the
bulls against them behind, to put them into disorder; but the wild
cattle ran away, frighted with the noise of the battle; only some few
broke through the English companies, and only tore the colours in
pieces, while the bucaniers shot every one of them dead.
The battle having continued two hours, the greatest part of the
Spanish horse was ruined, and almost all killed: the rest fled, which
the foot seeing, and that they could not possibly prevail, they
discharged the shot they had in their muskets, and throwing them down,
fled away, every one as he could. The pirates could not follow them,
being too much harassed and wearied with their long journey. Many, not
being able to fly whither they desired, hid themselves, for that
present, among the shrubs of the sea-side, but very unfortunately; for
most of them being found by the pirates, were instantly killed,
without any quarter. Some religious men were brought prisoners before
Captain Morgan; but he, being deaf to their cries, commanded them all
to be pistolled, which was done. Soon after they brought a captain to
him, whom he examined very strictly; particularly, wherein consisted
the forces of those of Panama? He answered, their whole strength
consisted in four hundred horse, twenty-four companies of foot, each
of one hundred men complete; sixty Indians, and some negroes, who were
to drive two thousand wild bulls upon the English, and thus, by
breaking their files, put them into a total disorder: beside, that in
the city they had made trenches, and raised batteries in several
places, in all which they had placed many guns; and that at the entry
of the highway, leading to the city, they had built a fort mounted
with eight great brass guns, defended by fifty men.
Captain Morgan having heard this, gave orders instantly to march
another way; but first he made a review of his men, whereof he found
both killed and wounded a considerable number, and much greater than
had been believed. Of the Spaniards were found six hundred dead on the
place, besides the wounded and prisoners. The pirates, nothing
discouraged, seeing their number so diminished, but rather filled with
greater pride, perceiving what huge advantage they had obtained
against their enemies, having rested some time, prepared to march
courageously towards the city, plighting their oaths to one another,
that they would fight till not a man was left alive. With this courage
they recommenced their march, either to conquer or be conquered;
carrying with them all the prisoners.
They found much difficulty in their approach to the city, for within
the town the Spaniards had placed many great guns, at several
quarters, some charged with small pieces of iron, and others with
musket bullets; with all these they saluted the pirates at their
approaching, and gave them full and frequent broadsides, firing at
them incessantly; so that unavoidably they lost at every step great
numbers of men. But neither these manifest dangers of their lives, nor
the sight of so many as dropped continually at their sides, could
deter them from advancing, and gaining ground every moment on the
enemy; and though the Spaniards never ceased to fire, and act the best
they could for their defence, yet they were forced to yield, after
three hours’ combat. And the pirates having possessed themselves,
killed and destroyed all that attempted in the least to oppose them.
The inhabitants had transported the best of their goods to more remote
and occult places; howbeit, they found in the city several warehouses
well stocked with merchandise, as well silks and cloths, as linen and
other things of value. As soon as the first fury of their entrance was
over, Captain Morgan assembled his men, and commanded them, under
great penalties, not to drink or taste any wine; and the reason he
gave for it was, because he had intelligence that it was all poisoned
by the Spaniards. Howbeit, it was thought he gave these prudent orders
to prevent the debauchery of his people, which he foresaw would be
very great at the first, after so much hunger sustained by the way;
fearing, withal, lest the Spaniards, seeing them in wine, should
rally, and, falling on the city, use them as inhumanly as they had
used the inhabitants before.