EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION IN MONTEVIDEO—CHANGE OF DUTIES
OF THE ITALIAN LEGION—NO IMPORTANT MILITARY MOVEMENTS—MY
OCCUPATION WITH THE MARINE—DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS—THE
TEMPORIZING POLICY OF ROSAS—CHANGE OF ENGLISH AND FRENCH
AGENTS AND ADMIRALS—EVIL CONSEQUENCES—RIVERA IN FAVOR IN
MONTEVIDEO—MY OPERATIONS AT SALTO CONTINUED—SURPRISE
VERGARA'S CAMP—LEAVE IT, TO RETURN.
General Medina was now able freely to enter Salto with his suite; and he
retained the superior command until the revolution made by Rivera's
friends in Montevideo. Nothing important, however, took place in all
that period.
The revolution in Montevideo in favor of Rivera gave a terrible blow to
the affairs of the Republic. The war ceased to be national, and was
directed by miserable factions. About the same time occurred the
revolution in Corrientes, brought about by Madariaga, against General
Paz. Those young chiefs, who had become illustrious by surprising deeds
in delivering their country from the oppressive dominion of Rosas, now,
for jealousy and thirst of power, debased themselves by the meanest
treachery, and thus ruined the cause of their people. General Paz was
obliged to leave the army of Corrientes, and retire to Brazil. Paraguay
recalled her army after his departure; the troops of Madariaga, reduced
by neglect to their own resources alone, were completely beaten by
Urquiza; and Corrientes fell into the power of the Dictator.
The affair of Montevideo also proceeded no better, and few events of
importance occurred. The Italian Legion, so justly esteemed for their
honorable and daring exploits, had continued their accustomed service of
advanced posts, alternating with the other corps of the capital. Anzani
was with them; and, although no very important engagements took place,
they never failed to prove themselves worthy of their fame.
I occupied myself more with the marine, fitting up some of the vessels
which were most needed, and in cruising on the river Plata, in the
schooner "Maypú."
In the meantime the French intervention proceeded every day, and no more
coërcive measure was it proposed to apply to the solution of the
problem; but several diplomatists, whom Rosas deluded and mocked at,
were sent to negotiate, but obtained nothing from him better than
insignificant armistices, which had no effect but to waste the limited
means collected with difficulty in the besieged city. With her change of
policy, France had changed her agents. Such men as Diffandis and Ouseley
for ambassadors, and L'Ainé and Inglefield for admirals, worthy to
sustain a generous policy, and dear to the public, were removed; and
such men were substituted as were devoted to a policy inevitably ruinous
to the people.
The Oriental government, powerless from the want of means, was obliged
to submit to the dictates of the intervention. Deplorable situation!
Rivera, being restored to power by his partisans, removed all others.
Most of those who had engaged in the noble defense from disinterested
love of country, had retired, weary of the enterprise, or were displaced
to make room for devotees of Rivera, and unfit men. I found, however, at
Montevideo, (that city of marvellous changes,) the new elements of
another army, and transported them to Las Vacas, on the left bank of the
Uruguay. The soldiers of Montevideo were made for conquerors; and they
proved it in their first encounters with the enemy in the country. At
Mercedes, especially, they performed prodigies of valor; but the evil
influence which misled Rivera at Arroyo Grande and India Muerta, beset
him at Paisandu, where, after a victory, he saw his army defeated. At
Maldonado he embarked again, to return to Brazil, whether more
unfortunate or more culpable, it is difficult to determine.
The government of Montevideo having fallen into the power of Rivera, I
was left mourning over it, and apprehending public sufferings. The old
General Medina, appointed General-in-chief by the government, with the
consent of the former not only yielded to events, but, the better to
recommend himself to the favor of the new patron, intrigued against my
friend; but they deceived themselves. Both Italians and Orientals loved
him in Salto, and he would have been able, without fear of any one, to
rise independent of the new and illegal power. But the cause of that
unhappy people was too sacred in his eyes. He loved them, and ever
denominated them as good-hearted and generous. To increase their
distresses, by fomenting their internal dissentions, was wholly
incompatible with his views and feelings.
To establish Rivera in power, the public squares of Montevideo were made
scenes of bloodshed. At Salto the same fatal game was planned; but it
proved impracticable. I contented myself with making reprisals,
assuming, as at first, the command of the forces. At that time occurred
the successful battle against the troops of Lamas and Vergara, on the
20th of May, 1846. Those two divisions, after the affair of San Antonio,
where they fought under the command of Servando Gomez, had been reformed
and reinforced; and they again occupied their positions around Salto,
changing their encampments, but always keeping at some leagues'
distance. We did not fail, now and then, to disturb our enemies as much
as we could, especially when they went out to catch animals. One Major
Dominguez, who had been sent for that purpose by General Medina, was
completely discomfited, losing all his horses and some men. I had the
positions of the enemy's camp examined by spies, and in the night of May
19th, I marched to attack him. I had with me about three hundred cavalry
and a hundred legionaries—the remains of a battalion. Poor youths! they
have since been sadly decimated! My object was to surprise the enemy's
camp at early dawn; and we arrived at the spot, for once, exactly at the
desired moment. I had the aid of Captain Pablo, an American Indian, and
a brave soldier. His infantry were mounted, and they marched all night,
and before break of day came in sight of the enemy's forces in the camp
of General Vergara, on the right bank of the Dayman. The infantry then
dismounted, and were ordered to attack. The victory was very easily
obtained. The troops of Vergara immediately took to flight, and were
driven into the river. They left their arms, horses, and a few men, who
were taken prisoners. But the triumph was far from being complete; for
the troops were to return, and we set off as the daylight increased. The
camp of Lamas was separated from that of Vergara by a small stream; and,
at the first alarm, the former had taken position on the top of a hill,
which commanded both camps. Vergara, with the greater part of his men,
had succeeded in joining Lamas. They were warlike and brave soldiers,
made at the opening of the war.
Having collected, in the abandoned camp, all the serviceable horses, I
pursued the enemy, but without success. Most of my cavalry were mounted
on _Rodomones_, that is, horses caught and broken only a few days
before; and the enemy were better supplied. It was therefore necessary
to desist from pursuing them, and be content with the advantages gained,
and take the road to Salto. We were, however, very unexpectedly favored,
and in an important manner. While pursuing our march for Salto, we were
in the following order: a squadron of cavalry in platoons, at the head;
the infantry in column, in the centre; the remaining cavalry for the
rear guard, likewise in column. Two strong lines of cavalry, commanded
by Majors Carvallo and N. Fausto, covered our right flank; and the
_cavallada_, with the horses of the infantry, marched on the left. The
enemy, having reörganized, as has been said, and reconcentrated all
their detachments, amounted to about five hundred men in cavalry. Being
acquainted with my force, the enemy flanked us on the right, at a short
distance, so that he seemed disposed to revenge himself.
I had placed Colonel Celesto Centurion in command of the cavalry,—a very
brave man; while Carone commanded the infantry. The latter was
particularly urged by me to guard against any confusion or disorder in
his ranks, and to prevent it at any sacrifice. He was to preserve their
order, which was that of close column, and never to make a movement by
conversion, but only by flanks and right-about-face. The infantry was to
serve as a point of support to Centurion, and also to re-form in any
event that might happen. The enemy were emboldened, being increased by
detachments.
Our troops proceeded over beautiful hills, for about two miles from the
banks of the Dayman. The grass had but just begun to grow, but was very
green; and the surface of the ground was undulated like the waves of the
ocean, but lay in all the majesty of stillness, while not a tree or a
bush formed any obstacle. It offered indeed a battle-field, and for the
mightiest hosts.
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