When news of this disaster reached Santiago utter consternation prevailed.
Patriots hastily gathered their valuables for flight; carriages of those
seeking to leave the country thronged the streets; women wrung their hands
in wild despair; the funds of the treasury were got ready to load on
mules; the whole city was in a state of terrible anxiety.
Several days passed before it was known what had become of San Martin.
Then news arrived that he was at San Fernando at the head of the right
wing, three thousand strong. These had escaped the panic on account of two
divisions of Osorio's army mistaking each other for the enemy and firing
into their own ranks. In the confusion that ensued the right wing was led
unbroken from the field. Also a dashing young cavalry officer named
Rodriguez had done good work in checking the flight of the fugitives, and
in a brief time had organized a regiment which he named the "Hussars of
Death."
Six days after the defeat General O'Higgins made his appearance in
Santiago. He was badly wounded, but was at once named dictator of the
republic.
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