"While the Spanish right wing was being thus dealt with, a fierce attack
had been made upon the front. The unexpected flank and rear attack was so
disconcerting that La Torre lost all presence of mind, and on every side
his men were driven back and thrown into confusion. In front and on flank
they were hotly pressed. The opportunity of retreating to the succession
of defensive points in the rear was quite lost sight of in the panic that
invaded their ranks, and soon they were in precipitate retreat, their
cavalry dispersed without making a charge, their infantry in the utmost
disorder, their cannon and baggage-trains deserted and left to the enemy.
In this state of affairs Paez showed his customary dash and activity. He
pursued the Spaniards at the head of the cavalry, cutting them down
vigorously, and few of them would have escaped but for the fatigued and
weak condition of his horses, which rendered them unable to break the
files of the Spanish infantry. In one of their unsuccessful charges
General Sedeno, Colonel Plaza, and a black man called, from his courage,
El Primero (the first), finding that they could not break the infantry
lines, rushed madly into the midst of the bayonets and were killed.
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