MY HIGH ESTIMATE OF THE "SONS OF THE CONTINENT" —DEFECTS
IN DISCIPLINE—I DESCEND THE SERRA—DIFFICULTIES OF THE
MARCH—REACH MALACARA—GENERAL JORGE—GENS. NETTO AND
CANABARRO—TWO LARGE ARMIES MEET AT PINEIRINO, ON THE
SAGUARE—PATRIOTISM OF THE REPUBLICANS—A WISH FOR
ITALY—RESULT OF THE EXPEDITION.
I have served the cause of the people in America, and served it with
sincerity, as I everywhere fought against absolutism. Being warmly
attached to the system corresponding with my convictions, I was equally
opposed in my feelings to the opposite system. I have always rather
pitied than hated men who have been led to selfishness by misfortune;
and, when now viewing the scenes I passed through, from a far distant
country, and long after their occurrence, the accounts contained in the
succeeding pages may be regarded as impartial, with the care which has
been taken in recording facts, reviewing occurrences, and making
allowances for men and circumstances.
It may be unhesitatingly asserted that "_The Sons of the Continent_"
(the name given to the people of Rio Grande,) were most ardent and
intrepid men. This character I claim for them, after having had many
opportunities to form a correct opinion. The occupation of Lages by our
troops was therefore a very bold step, with the intention of defending
it against an enemy ten times superior and victorious, and divided from
them only by the river Canoas, which could not be defended, and far from
any auxiliaries who might have wished to aid the Republicans. Many days
passed before the junction of Aranha and Portinho; and, during all that
time, the enemy were kept at bay by a small band of men. The
reinforcements had no sooner arrived, than the Republicans marched
resolutely against the enemy: but the Imperialists did not accept the
offer of a battle, but retired when we approached, making a stand in the
Province of San Paolo, where they were to be joined by large
reinforcements of infantry and cavalry. The Republicans then felt the
defect and the evils of being composed chiefly of men brave indeed, but
who did not know the importance of keeping their ranks, except when the
enemy appeared, and relaxed in discipline whenever they were either far
distant, or remained near without showing inclination for a speedy
battle.
That fault was almost their ruin, and a more enterprising enemy would
have known how to take advantage of it. The Serranos, (or people of the
neighboring mountains,) began to leave the files, and throw their lazos,
not only over their own horses, but over those belonging to the
division. Those of Portinho, (the people of the Province of Missions,)
followed their example; and the force was soon so far reduced, that they
were obliged to abandon Lages, and retire to the province of Rio Grande,
fearing an attack from the enemy. The rest of the forces, being thus
weakened, and in want of necessaries, especially clothing, which was
quite indispensable in consequence of the commencement of cold weather
so early in those elevated regions, began to lose their spirits, and
demanded, with a loud voice, to return to their homes. Colonel Terceira
was then obliged to yield to so many necessities, and ordered me to
descend the Serra and rejoin the army, while he prepared to follow me.
That descent was arduous, in consequence of the difficult roads, and the
decided hostility of the inhabitants, who were enemies of the
Republicans. I proceeded by the Piccada de Peluffo. The troops were only
about sixty in number, and they had to confront terrible ambuscades; but
such were their indomitable boldness and perseverance, that they passed
in safety. Although the path was very narrow, and everywhere
overshadowed by a very thick forest, the enemy, being natives of the
country, and therefore perfectly acquainted with every place, chose the
most thorny spots for their ambushes, rushed out with fury and
tremendous cries upon the Republican troops, who in return poured in
their volleys of musketry, and used their sabres. At length, the vigor
and perseverance of the latter so far intimidated the mountaineers, that
they killed but one horse, and only slightly wounded a few men.
We arrived at the head-quarters, in Malacara, distant twelve miles from
Porto Allegre, where was the President, Bento Gonzales, then
General-in-chief.
The Republican army were preparing to march. The enemy's army, after
losing the battle of Rio Pardo, had recruited in Porto Allegre, and gone
out, under command of the old general, Jorge, (George,) and had encamped
on the bank of the Cahi, waiting for General Calderon to join him, who
had left Rio Grande with a strong body of cavalry and was to effect a
junction, by crossing the country. The same defect which has been
mentioned above,—that is, the delusive security of the Republican troops
when there was no enemy in sight,—facilitated those movements of the
enemy: when General Netto, who commanded the country troops, had
collected force enough to fight Calderon, the latter, having now joined
the main body of the Imperial army, at Cahi, which was threatening the
Republicans with superior numbers, while besieging, compelled them to
raise the siege. It was indispensable to the President to join the
division of Netto, in order to be in a condition to fight the enemy's
army; and that junction, being happily effected, greatly honored the
military capacity of Bento Gonzales. They marched with the army from
Malacara, taking the direction of San Leopoldo, passing within two miles
of the enemy's army; and in two days and nights, almost without eating,
arrived in the neighborhood of Taguary, where they found General Netto,
who had come to meet them.
The march had been made, as was just remarked, almost without eating;
and, as soon as the enemy had notice of the movement, they set off, at
forced marches, to fight them. By rare fortune they overtook the
Republicans when they had halted, and were engaged in cooking their
meat,—the only food, as has been remarked, which armies in that country
ever have to subsist upon. They were, therefore, obliged to desist, and
defer their meal until they could effect the junction designed. They
halted again at Pinheirino, six miles from Taguary, and made all the
arrangements for a battle. The Republican army, consisting of five
thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry, occupied the heights of
Pinheirino; the infantry being in the centre, under the command of the
aged Colonel Crescenzio; the right wing under General Netto; and the
left under General Canabarro. Both wings were wholly composed of
cavalry, which, without exaggeration, was the best in the world,
although ill-provided. The infantry was excellent; and the desire for
fighting was strong and general. Colonel João Antonio commanded the
reserve, which was a corps of artillery.
The enemy had four thousand infantry, and, it was said, three thousand
cavalry, with a few pieces of artillery. They had taken positions on the
other side of the bed of a little torrent, which divided the two armies;
and their force and position were not to be despised. They were the best
troops of the empire, and commanded by a very skilful general, although
advanced in years.
The enemy's general had marched in warm pursuit of the Republicans up to
that place, and now made every arrangement for a regular attack. Two
battalions of infantry had crossed the dry bed of the torrent; and two
pieces of artillery, placed on the bank, thundered upon the line of
Republican cavalry. On their side, the brave men of the first brigade,
under the command of Netto, had drawn their sabres, and waited only for
the sound of the trumpet, to launch themselves upon the two battalions
which were crossing over. Those warlike sons of the continent felt the
certainty of victory. Netto and they had never been conquered. The
infantry, échalloned by divisions, on the highest part of the hill, and
covered by its verge, were crying out for battle. The terrible lancers
of Canabarro had already made a movement forward, confusing the right
flank of the enemy, which was therefore obliged to change front in
confusion. The brave freedmen, proud of their force, became more firm
and resolute; and that incomparable corps presented to view a forest of
lances, being composed entirely of slaves liberated by the Republic, and
chosen from the best horse-tamers in the province, and all of them
blacks, even the superior officers. The enemy had never seen the backs
of those true sons of liberty. Their lances, which were longer than the
common measure, their ebony faces and robust limbs, strengthened by
perennial and laborious exercise, and their perfect discipline, struck
terror into the enemy. The animating voice of the General-in-chief had
been heard, as he rode along the lines: "Every one of you must fight for
four men to-day!" These were the few and only words of that
distinguished man, who possessed all the qualities of a great captain,
except good fortune. Every heart seemed to feel the palpitation of war,
and the confidence of victory. A more beautiful day, or a more splendid
scene, was never beheld. The ground was scattered with a few low plants,
and offered no obstacle to the view, so that everything was clearly
visible, even the slightest movement, and, as it were, all under my
feet. In a few minutes was to be decided the fate of the largest part of
the American continent, with the destinies of a numerous people. Those
bodies of men, so compact, so orderly and steady, in a few moments will
be broken up, and some of them thrown into confusion and defeated. Soon,
the blood, the mangled limbs, and the corpses of many of those young men
will disfigure the beautiful fields. Yes: now all are waiting and
panting for the signal of battle.—Yet in vain was all that preparation,
vain the expectation; that field was not to be a field of slaughter.
The enemy's general, intimidated at the strong positions occupied by the
Republicans, and by their proud array, made his appearance, and had the
two battalions recalled from the opposite bank, to which they had
crossed without orders, and placed himself on the defensive. General
Calderon was killed in making a reconnaissance. Was that the cause of
the irresolution of General Jorge? As the Republicans were not attacked,
they ought to have attacked. This was the opinion of many; but would it
have been wise? If they had been attacked in their fine positions, there
would have been every probability of victory; but to descend from them
and meet the enemy on equal ground, it would be necessary to cross the
bed of the torrent, which was somewhat rough and difficult, although
dry, and the superiority in numbers of the enemy's infantry was by no
means small. In fine, there was no battle, and the enemies remained all
day in sight of each other, with only a little skirmishing.
In the camp of the Republicans there was a scarcity of meat, and the
infantry especially were famishing. But, what was still more
insupportable, thirst also prevailed, for there was no water. But that
people are hardened by a life of privations. No lamentations were heard,
except for the want of permission to fight. Oh, Italians! oh, for the
day when you shall be united and enduring like those children of the
desert. The stranger shall not then trample upon your soil; he shall not
contaminate your air. Italy will then take her proper place among the
first nations of the earth.
That night the old general, Jorge, disappeared, and in the morning the
enemy were nowhere to be seen on any side. The early mist remained until
ten o'clock; it then rose, and they were discovered in the strong
positions of Taguary. Soon afterwards news arrived that their cavalry
were crossing the river. The enemy, therefore, were retreating, and it
was necessary to attack them. The Republicans made no hesitation, and
the army marched, resolved on a battle. Only the enemy's cavalry,
however, had crossed the river, assisted in the passage by several
imperial vessels, but the infantry remained on the banks, protected by
the woods, having taken the most advantageous positions. The second
brigade of Republican infantry, composed of the second and third
battalions, was destined to begin the attack. This was performed with
all possible bravery, but the numbers of the enemy were very far
superior, and those courageous soldiers, after performing feats of
valor, were compelled to retire, supported by the first brigade, which
consisted of the first battalion of marines and the artillery, who had
no cannon.
That was a terrible battle between the infantry in the forest, where the
reëchoing of the guns, and the frequent flashes among the thick clouds
of smoke seemed like a raging tempest. Not less than five hundred men
were wounded and killed on both sides; and the dead bodies of the
Republicans were found on the very bank of the river, to which they had
driven their enemies. But all this loss was of no use, for when the
second brigade retired the conflict was suspended; then night came on,
and the enemy were able to complete their passage without interruption.
Among many brilliant qualities, General Bento Gonzales had a kind of
indecision, the effect of the disasters which had successively befallen
him in his enterprises. He would have wished that, because a brigade of
infantry, disproportionately inferior in numbers, had thrown itself upon
the enemy, the action should be closed by making not only all the
infantry take part in it, but also the cavalry on foot.
Such a proceeding might indeed have given him a brilliant victory, if by
making the enemy lose their footing it had thrown them into the river;
and such a result might not have been improbable. But the general was
determined to adventure everything, and even the only infantry which the
Republicans ever possessed. The fact is, that the battle was a real
disaster to them, as they had not the ability to supply the loss of
their brave infantry, while the enemy chiefly abounded in that kind of
forces.
The enemy remained on the right bank of the Taguary, because they were
almost wholly masters of the country. The Republicans repassed the road
to Porto Allegre, to recommence the siege of that town. The condition of
the Republic was now somewhat worse. The army recrossed to San Leopoldo,
and then to Settembrino, and afterwards to Malacara, into the old camp.
From that place, a few days after, they changed their encampment to
Bella Vista; and at the same time the General planned an operation, the
result of which was to restore them to excellent positions.
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