Fénix 10, 203-234

MILLER T O PAROZSSZEN O n board the GI. S a n Martin: bay of Pisco. 21 April, 1821. (5 p.m.) My dear Paroissien, Three hundred men of my division, being the total number of those tolerably well in health, are embarked in this ship, and in half an hour we ought to be a t sea. Not knowing our destination 1 cannot inform you what we are íikely to be about. But to me every thing looks gloomy and 1 fore- bode nothing favorable. But when least expected lucky events often take place. We are terribly crowded and the troops will be uncomfortable aboard. There are not even kettles siifficient for cooking. 1 sent in the Valdivia the other day upwards of 100 sick. Crosby 28 will take the remainder. Poor de- vils, they have had a miserable time of it. Cold, hunger, fatigue and hard duty are al1 bareable, but sickness in such a darnnation, sandy, wretched place as Pisco is insupportable. The strongest constitutions become the easiest vic- tims. I t is the first climate that ever got the better of me. 1 thought myself invulnerable, but Pisco would kill the devil himself. I have not a man who has not suffered more or less. I was delirious a considerable time and expec- ted it would turn into permanet insanity. Thank God 1 have recovered now. I only want strength and flesh. You can,not conceive how happy 1 should be to shake you by the hand in Haucho. This is a most disagreeable service and 1 am tired, most heartily tired, of being Comandante general de la divi- sion del Sud. The inhabitants of Pisco sincerely regret our departure. They have behaved well and 1 really believe them to be patriots. None of them deserted their houses and 1 was particularly careful not to injure any patriots. 1 have sent you some caricatures and pamphlets by Crosby. He will be enabled to te11 you al1 the particulars of our operations. He has promised also to take some horses for me to deliver to you. Chose one for yourself, give Martinez 29 and Spry 30 each one, and keep another for me. Crosby has this mornent come to say he is off and I have only time to beg you to believe me. Yours ever most sincerely, Wm. Miller. 28 . The distinguished naval officer, Captain Thomas Crosbi-. 29. See note 8. 30. Captain John Spry, dismissed from his ship by Cochrane but employed by San Martín. Fénix: Revista de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. N.10, 1954