Liberator of the Northern States of South America from Spanish Rule.

From an engraving by M.N.  Bate.

A.  Rischgitz.]

This Battle of Carabobo was one which had far-reaching effects in Venezuela.  In preparation for this fight Bolivar’s army was formed in three divisions.  The first, commanded by General Paez, contained the Cazadores Britannicus, or British Light Infantry, numbering 800 men, and 100 of the Irish Legion.  This division, with the local troops, was of 3,100 men.  The second, commanded by Cadeno, consisted of 1,800; and the third, led by Ambrosio Plaza, was composed of the Rifles, a regiment officered by Englishmen, and other regiments, in all 2,500 men.

The army had suffered terrible privations, and, in crossing the River Aparito some time before the battle, many men, including a number of Englishmen, had actually perished from the attacks of that terrible fish, the perai.  Mention has already been made of this fish, which, no bigger than a perch, is provided with teeth which will tear the flesh from the bones in a few seconds.  It was from the attacks of flocks of these that the unfortunate men had succumbed.

Just before the battle Bolivar rode along the front of his army, and it is said that the English gave him three “hurrahs” that were heard a mile off.  After this, nevertheless, the attack was postponed until the next day, and during the interval the rain came down in tropical sheets.  The Spaniards fought with extreme gallantry, and the battle was waged in the most determined fashion on both sides before victory definitely inclined to the patriot forces.  The English took a very prominent share in this battle, losing no less than 600 out of 900 men.

Bolivar had now all but fulfilled the oath he had sworn years before in Rome.  The Battle of Carabobo proved one of the most decisive of the campaign.  Its conclusion marked the end of the Spanish occupation of the north.  Bolivar had now cleared his own country of the Spaniards, and was free to turn his attention to Peru.

In the south-east of the Continent the struggle for liberty was far less prolonged than that in the districts of the centre, west, and north.  It may be that the wide, open, agricultural plains had infused into the dwellers of Argentina an inherent sense of independence which had continued to flourish and grow, notwithstanding the dominion of the Spaniards.  In any case, it was here that the revolt was, if not more enthusiastic, at all events more rapid.

Since 1776, moreover, the date when the provinces of the River Plate were exalted to the condition of a Viceroyalty, a certain freedom of intercourse had obtained which had been utterly lacking before.  The trade of the country had expanded, and imports from Europe were now permitted access to the River Plate without first being subjected to the supervision of Panama or Peru.  When the struggle began, it found the Argentine patriots enthusiastic and prepared.