THE SIEGE OF SALTO CONTINUED—NIGHT ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S
CAMP—SUCCESSFUL—GENERAL MEDINA APPROACHING—SEND GEN.
BAEZ AND ANZANI TO MEET HIM—A GREAT SURPRISE—ALMOST
OVERWHELMED BY THE ENEMY—FIGHT TILL NIGHT—RETREAT.
Vergara, with his division, was pressing the town very closely, and some
persons acquainted with the country were sent to spy his position, which
thus became known to the defenders. It would have been useless to make
an attack by day, because it was impossible to surprise them, and,
therefore, it was necessary to attack by night. I had given Colonel Baez
the command of the cavalry, and Anzani was with the infantry. They left
Salto after nightfall, and took the direction towards the enemy's camp,
situated about eight miles off. Although the march of the troops was as
silent and as cautious as possible, they were heard by the advanced
sentinels, and therefore Vergara had time to mount his horse. The
assault was made without loss of time, but only the cavalry of the
Republicans were able to fight, as the infantry, in spite of all their
exertions, could not reach the field of battle in season. The enemy
fought with spirit, but at the cry of "The infantry!" which was raised
at a favorable moment, they gave ground, and then broke their ranks and
took to flight. They were pursued several miles, but, on account of the
darkness, little was effected. A few prisoners were made and some horses
taken, while there were a small number of killed and wounded on both
sides. When daylight appeared, it was difficult to find the field of
battle, as the fighting had been done on the march. Several groups of
the enemy appeared, scattered on the distant hills, and Colonel Baez
remained with the cavalry to pursue them and to collect a herd of oxen,
while the other troops returned to Salto.
About that time, which was the beginning of the year 1846, we received
news that General Medina, with a number of emigrants from the Oriental,
was coming from Corrientes for Salto. The discomfiture of Vergara had
given the Republicans an advantage, but had not produced the results
that might have been expected. Lamas, who was not far off, and engaged
in breaking horses, came up on receiving intelligence of the defeat, and
ordered the collecting of men. Both established their camps, and
recommenced the siege, driving away the animals. Their superiority in
cavalry expedited that proceeding. General Medina then came, who had
been appointed head of the army, and it was necessary to secure his
entrance. Colonel Baez, as has been mentioned already, had assumed the
command of the cavalry, and regularly organized it, skilled as he was in
that kind of troops. Being possessed of uncommon activity, he greatly
increased the number of horses, and provided the city and the troops
with cattle. Mundell and Juan de la Cruz were at his orders, and at that
time both were detached, with commissions to catch wild horses. Colonel
Baez, better known than General Medina, was in direct relation with him,
and knew that he was to be in sight of Salto on the 8th of February; and
it was therefore arranged that I should accompany him with the cavalry.
At dawn of day on the 8th of February, 1846, we left Salto, and took the
direction of the little river San Antonio, on the left bank of which
they were to await the approach of General Medina and his army. The
enemy, according to their custom in that region, showed several troops
of cavalry on the heights on the right, which approached at times as if
to observe whether they were collecting animals, and to interrupt them.
Colonel Baez stationed a line of marksmen of the cavalry against those
troops, and employed himself several hours in skirmishing with them. The
infantry had halted near the little stream, at a place called Tapera di
Don Vicenzio. I was separated from the infantry, and observing the
guerrillas, fighting, conducted by Baez. That kind of warfare afforded
the Italians an amusing sight: but the enemy concealed their "wasp's
nest" under that kind of military game, having put forward so feeble a
force only to deceive their opponents, and give their strong body, which
was behind, opportunity to advance.
The country, in all parts of the department of Salto, is hilly, as is
also that of San Antonio. Therefore the large force which was advancing
was able to approach within a short distance without being discovered.
When I had reached the place of observation, and cast my eyes on the
other side of San Antonio, I was overwhelmed with surprise by
discovering, on the west of a neighboring hill, where only a few of the
enemy had before been seen, a multitude of troops, as was shown by a
forest of lances: seven squadrons of cavalry, with banners displayed,
and a corps of infantry, double in size of our own, who, having come up
on horseback, within two musket shots, dismounted, formed in line of
battle, and were marching, at quick step, to charge with the bayonet.
Baez said to me: "Let us retire." But, seeing that to be impossible, I
replied: "There is not time enough; and we must fight."
I then ran to the Italian Legionaries; and, in order to destroy, or at
least to mitigate the impression which might be produced on them by the
appearance of so formidable an enemy, said: "We will fight! The cavalry
we are resolved to conquer. To-day we have them, although we are a small
body of infantry."
At the place where we took position there were numerous wooden posts
standing planted in the ground, which had served in the walls of an old
wooden edifice; and to each beam was assigned a Legionary. The
remainder, forming three small parties, were placed in column behind the
building, and covered by walls of masonry of the northern end of the
same building, which was in form of a room, capable of containing about
thirty men, and covering almost the front of the little column. On the
right of the infantry, Baez was posted, with the cavalry, those being
dismounted, who were armed with carbines, while the lancers remained on
horseback. The whole force comprised about a hundred cavalry, and a
hundred and eighty-six Legionaries. The enemy had nine hundred cavalry,
(some said twelve hundred,) and three hundred infantry. The Republicans,
therefore, had only one thing left that could be done—to defend
themselves—resist, and repel the charge of the enemy's infantry. I then
ran forward, and gave them all the attention in my power. If the enemy,
instead of charging in line of battle, forming an extended line, had
charged in column, or in alternate platoons, they must have destroyed
our force. By the impetus of their column they would certainly have
penetrated into our position, and mingled with the defenders; and then
their cavalry would have completed our ruin and exterminated us. Then
the fields of San Antonio would have been, to this day, whitened with
Italian bones! But, instead of this, the enemy advanced in line, beating
the charge, and bravely withholding their fire until within a few yards.
The Legionaries had orders not to fire until very near. When the enemy
reached the appointed distance, they halted and gave a general
discharge. The moment was decisive. Many of the defenders fell under
that fire: but the assailants were thrown into disorder, being thinned
by shots from the Republicans, who fired from behind the timbers, and
then charged them, not in order, but yet in a body, and forced them to
turn their backs, by falling upon them with bayonets, like mad-men. That
there occurred for the Republicans a moment of disorder and hesitation,
it cannot be denied. There were among us a number of prisoners, who, not
expecting a successful termination to the desperate defence, cast about
their eyes to find some way open for escape. But they were prevented
from doing anything, by some of our brave men, who then, at the cry of
"The enemy run!" threw themselves upon them like lions.
From the moment when I directed my attention upon the enemy's infantry,
I saw nothing more of Colonel Baez and the cavalry. Five or six horsemen
remained with my men, whom I put there under the command of a brave
Oriental officer, Jose Maria.
After the defeat of the enemy's infantry, I had hopes of safety; and,
taking advantage of the momentary calm produced by the stupefaction of
the enemy, I put my men again in order. Among the dead remaining on the
ground, especially those lying where the enemy halted, we found abundant
supplies of cartridges; and the muskets of the killed and wounded served
an important purpose, being taken, to arm those of the soldiers who were
in want, and some of the officers.
The enemy, having failed in their first charge, repeated it several
times, many of their dragoons dismounting; and with them and masses of
cavalry, they attacked us, but succeeded only in increasing their loss.
I was always ready, with some of the bravest of the Legionaries, who
awaited the charge; and, when the enemy had made their attack,
invariably charged them in return. The enemy several times endeavored to
get a position near us; but I then posted the best marksmen among our
soldiers, and made them harrass them, until they took to flight.
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