It
had been greatly reduced by its recent defeat, the memory of which also
hung about it like a cloud, while the royalists were filled with
enthusiasm from their late victory. The royalist lines were about a mile
in length, four squadrons of dragoons flanking their right wing and a body
of lancers their left, while a battery occupied a hill on the extreme
left. Confronting them were the patriots, the left commanded by General
Alverado, the centre by Balcarce, the right by Las Heras, while Quintana
headed the reserves.
The battle opened with a brisk fire from the patriot artillery, and in
about an hour the infantry forces joined in full action. As the royalists
moved down the hill they were swept with the fire of the patriot battery,
while shortly afterwards the royal battery on the left was captured by a
dashing cavalry charge and the guns were turned against their own line.
The centre of the battle was a farm-house on the Espejo estate, which was
charged furiously by both sides, being taken and retaken several times
during the day. Yet as the day went on the advantage seemed to be on the
side of Osorio, who held the field with the centre and one wing of his
army.
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