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 have much to do, but were mistaken, as the enemy abandoned the house after skirmishing a little, and we occupied it immediately.

" We now held possession of the position which
 * had originally covered the enemy's left flank, having

experienced a very trifling loss ; however, our light companies, supported by the grenadiers, commenced a sharp firing in the direction of Ezaguirre, and No. 1, or Chacabuco, was ordered to support them, Pudeto and Conception bringing up what now might be termed the reserve. This was twice charged by the enemy's cavalry, which had formed behind Ochagavia's house, but these charges were rendered ineffectual by the steadiness of both battalions and by the nature of the ground, which was not favorable to cavalry. The enemy behaved well, and evidently suffered much from these charges, as well from musketry as from grape shot, and made off" quite discomfited.

" In the meanwhile the light companies and grena- diers, vanquishing all opposition, beat the enemy's infantry out of Ezaguirre's house in a very short time, and occupied the second position, making many pri- soners, among whom the Choco Silva with his host. My major, Varela,* even took all the knapsacks of No. 3 ; and he has assured me on his word of honor, that Arequita, the major of that battalion, sent an officer to him to beg that he would cease firing, and that they would lay down their arms. This was complied with, and all the soldiers who had not dis- persed were disarmed and made prisoners. The firing had of course then become very slack, and in fact the battle was considered to be over by those who occupied Ezaguirre's house.


 * Slain also at Lircai on the 17th April, 1830.

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