SURRENDER OF MITRE., December 2, 1874
SURRENDER OF MITRE.
official dispatch.
[From the Standard.—Translation.]
Mr. Minister: It is my pleasing duty to send you inclosed details of the surrender of the enemy’s army, of which I informed you this morning by telegram.
Your excellency is already aware that the beaten enemy abandoned on the field of La Verde on 26th ultimo numerous wounded, to whom it became a duty to attend, as they had no assistance of any kind.
This charge occupied me the rest of the 26th and part of the 27th, on which day I marched, having attended to 230 of the enemy’s wounded, and picked up on the field 450 arms of all kinds.
On the morning of the 28th I was joined by Colonel Villegas, and, Levalle’s division being here, we formed a council of war before my elevation to the rank of colonel was known. We agreed that Commander Levalle, being, the senior, should take command.
On the following day my dispatches arrived, and Colonels Levalle and Villegas at once put themselves under my orders. I at once ordered a march on Chivilcoy, but changed the route, as the enemy were at Bragado, where we arrived on the 30th at 6 p.m. We halted here to eat and rest the horses, and marched again at 8 p.m., as I heard the enemy were going north. We reached Larga at 1 o’clock a.m. on the 1st instant, remained with horses saddled till 8 a.m., started again, marched all day and night, and came up with the enemy’s rear guard on the morning of the 2dat Junin. We fell on him then and there, and after a few shots took 200 prisoners and 2,000 horses.
Without losing a moment we resumed the pursuit, and I had ordered Colonel Lagos to hurry in joining me to assist in the destruction of the enemy. We were marching at full gallop, and, joined by Lagos, were about to fall on Mitre’s army, when an emissary rode toward us with an open letter, asking for a safe conduct for Don Matias Ramos, who was wounded. The letter was addressed to me under cover to Colonel Lagos. T sent the messenger back, accompanied by Captain Oliver, to tell the enemy to halt, and before the latter returned I sent Adjutant Rivera to summon the enemy to surrender. When Captain Oliver returned he told me the enemy wished to treat. I agreed, and after half an hour’s talk we arrived at the following conditions:
- Amnesty for the citizens in General Mitre’s army.
- Guarantee of life and good treatment for all the officers, from General Rivas to the ensigns.
- Pardon for the line-soldiers with the rebels.
I let the beaten enemy down easy, Mr. Minister, as their chief admitted that the war terminated at La Verde, as he knew what terms the government had granted to Senor Lanusse. I was also desirous of saving bloodshed, as the enemy must have been destroyed if he elected to continue the struggle.
The whole day was taken up in disarming the enemy, whose force consisted of 2 generals, 45 field-officers, 295 officers, and 3,000 men, 300 of the line from the southern frontier.
After this, I think, T can assure your excellency that peace has been restored in the province, and I have only to recommend to your excellency and the President of the republic all the leaders, officers and soldiers who took part in this glorious day.
Through your excellency I ask the grade of colonel for commanders Levalle, Lagos, and Villegas, who so powerfully aided me, and also a step for their officers.
God preserve your excellency.