AT THE GALPON OF CHARGINADA, REPAIRING THE LAUNCHES—MY
FRIEND, JOHN GRIGGS—A SURPRISE—A BATTLE—RESULTS—TRIBUTE
TO A FAIR FRIEND.
After the capture of the Sumaca, the imperial merchant vessels no longer
set sail without a convoy, but were always accompanied by vessels of
war; and it became a difficult thing to capture them. The expeditions of
the launches were, therefore, limited to a few cruises in the Lagoon,
and with little success, as we were watched by the Imperialists, both by
land and by water. In a surprise made by the chief, Francisco de Abrea,
the whole of my band was near being cut off with its leader.
We were at the mouth of the Camacua, with the launches drawn up on land,
opposite the Galpon of Charginada,—that is, the magazine or depôt of the
estancia, or large estate of that name. We were engaged in salting meat
and collecting Yerba Matté, a species of tea, which grows in those parts
of South America, and is used as their daily beverage by the
inhabitants. The estate belonged to Donna Antonia, sister of the
President. In consequence of the war, meat was not then salted there;
and the Galpon was occupied only with Yerba Matté. We used the spacious
establishment as our arsenal, and had drawn up our launches some
distance from the water, between the magazine and the bank of the river,
in order to repair them. At that spot were the shops of the smiths and
laborers of the establishment, and there was a plentiful supply of
charcoal; for although not then in use, the place retained something of
its former condition and appearance. There were not wanting pieces of
iron and steel, fit for different purposes in our little vessels. We
could easily visit the distant estancias by a galloping ride, where we
were most cheerfully supplied with whatever we found deficient in the
arsenal.
With courage, cheerfulness, and perseverance, no enterprise is
impossible; and, for these I must do justice to my favorite companion
and usual forerunner, John Griggs, who surmounted numerous difficulties,
and patiently endured many disappointments, in the work of building two
new launches.
He was a young man of excellent disposition, unquestionable courage, and
inexhaustible perseverance. Though he belonged to a rich family, he had
devoted himself disinterestedly to the young Republic; and, when letters
from his friends in North America invited him to return home, and
offered him a very large capital, he refused, and remained until he
sacrificed his life for an unhappy, but brave and generous, people. I
had afterwards to contemplate the sad and impressive spectacle,
presented by his death, when the body of my friend was suddenly cut down
by my side.
While the launches were lying drawn up, as before mentioned, and the
repairs were busily going on, some of the sailors were engaged with the
sails, and some at other occupations, near them, while several were
employed in making charcoal, or keeping watch as sentinels, every one
being busy about something,—by some unexpected chance, Francisco de
Albera, commonly called Moringue, determined to surprise us; and,
although he did not succeed in his design, he gave us not a little
trouble. A surprise certainly was effected on that occasion, and in a
masterly manner.
We had been on patrols all night, and all the men had been, a short time
before, assembled in the Galpon, where the arms were loaded and
deposited. It was a beautiful morning, though cloudy; and nothing seemed
to be stirring, but all around was silent and apparently lonely.
Observations, however, were made around the camp, with the greatest
care, without discovering a trace of anything new. About nine o'clock,
most of the people were set at work, in cutting wood; and for this
purpose were scattered about at considerable distances. I had then about
fifty men for the two launches; and it happened that day, by a singular
concurrence of circumstances, our wants being peculiar, that only a very
few remained near the boats. I was sitting by the fire, where breakfast
was cooking, and was just then taking some Matté. Near by was the cook,
and no other person.
All on a sudden, and as if just over my head, I heard a tremendous
volley of firearms, accompanied by a yell, and saw a company of the
enemy's horsemen marching on. I had hardly time to rise and take my
stand at the door of the Galpon, for at that instant one of the enemy's
lances made a hole through my poncho. It was our good fortune to have
our arms all loaded, as I have before mentioned, and placed in the
Galpon, in consequence of our having been in a state of alarm all night.
They were placed inside of the building, against the wall, ready and
convenient for use. I immediately began to seize the muskets and
discharge them in turn, and shot down many of the enemy. Ignacio Bilbao,
a brave Biscayan, and Lorenzo N., a courageous Genoese, were at my side
in a moment; and then Eduardo Mutru, a native of the country, Rafaele
and Procopio, one a mulatto and the other a black, and Francisco. I wish
I could remember the names of all my bold companions, who, to the number
of thirteen, assembled around me, and fought a hundred and fifty
enemies, from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon, killing
and wounding many of them, and finally forcing them to retreat.
Among our assailants were eighty Germans, in the infantry, who were
accustomed to accompany Maringue in such expeditions, and were skilful
soldiers, both on foot and on horseback. When they had reached the spot,
they had dismounted and surrounded the house, taking advantage of the
ground, and of some rough places, from which they poured upon us a
terrible fire from different sides. But, as often happens in surprises,
by not completing their operations and closing, men ordinarily act as
they please. If, instead of taking positions, the enemy had advanced
upon the Galpon, and attacked us resolutely, we should have been
entirely lost, without the power to resist their first attack. And we
were more exposed than we might ordinarily have been in any other
building, because, to allow the frequent passage of carts, the sides of
the magazine were left open.
In vain did they attempt to press us more closely, and assemble against
the end walls. In vain did they get upon the roofs, break them up and
throw upon our heads the fragments and burning thatch. They were driven
away by our muskets and lances. Through loop-holes, which I made through
the walls, many were killed and many wounded. Then, pretending to be a
numerous body in the building, we sang the republican hymn of Rio
Grande, raising our voices as loud as possible, and appeared at the
doors, flourishing our lances, and by every device endeavoring to make
our numbers appear multiplied.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the enemy retired, having many
wounded, among whom was their chief. They left six dead near the Galpon,
and several others at some distance. We had eight wounded, out of
fourteen. Rosetti, and our other comrades, who were separated from us,
had not been able to join us. Some of them were obliged to cross the
river by swimming; others ran into the forest; and one only, found by
the enemy, was killed. That battle, with so many dangers, and with so
brilliant a result, gave much confidence to our troops, and to the
inhabitants of that coast, who had been for a long time exposed to the
inroads of that adroit and enterprising enemy, Maringue.
We celebrated the victory, rejoicing at our deliverance from a tempest
of no small severity. At an estancia, twelve miles distant, when the
news of the engagement was received, a young lady inquired, with a
pallid cheek and evident anxiety, whether Garibaldi was alive. When I
was informed of this, I rejoiced at it more than at the victory itself.
Yes! Beautiful daughter of America! (for she was a native of the
Province of Rio Grande,) I was proud and happy to enjoy your friendship,
though the destined bride of another. Fate reserved for me another
Brazilian female—to me the only one in the world whom I now lament, and
for whom I shall weep all my days. She knew me when I was in misfortune;
and her interest in me, stronger than any merit of my own, conquered her
for me, and united us for ever.
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