Fénix 10, 203-234

LETTERS TO JAMES PAROISSIEN MPLLER TO PAROZSSZEN On board fhe General San Marfin. 3 of May. 1821. My dear Paroissien, 1 have already informed you of the re-embarkation of the division a t Pisco, of the fatal climate of that place, of the number of sick (about 170) sent to Haucho, and of my bad state of health. I t remains for me now only to add that the remaining 300 of my soldiers embarked in this ship, and we sailed from tl-ie bay of Parraccas on the night of the 21st ulto. The schooner Aranzazu, and detained brig Columbia, in company, shaping our course t o windward. We are now within twenty five miles of Arica and if the wind allow us we shall most probabiy pay this town a visit either tonight or tomo- rrow. As our future operations must depend solely upon unforseen circums- tances 1 can give you no idea what is likely to be the result of them. We do not know what force the enemy has hereabouts, but if it be small or disaffec- ted,, and the inhabitants of Arequipa feel inclined to rise and declare for our Cause, they will have a very good opportunity of convincing the world they possess the patriotism for which they are so much famed, and strike a blow that would make the godos in Lima quake again. But this perhaps is judging of the appearance of things in too favorable a light. 1 arn told, but it is not credited, that there were at Arica and Tagna S00 regular and wel! discipliried Spanish troops, and as a t the outside 1 could not land more than 280 of the division (effective), we may, if attacked, have a few broken heads without reaping much advantage. The landing place is bad, riot because it is close under a nine gun battery, for this could be silenced, but on account of the reefs of rocks, and being so very close to the houses of the town. At al1 events 1 most heartily wish we may have some fighting, and t h u t u7e may either gain laurels or be most severely beaten. We are al1 yuite tired of being inac- tive. Every one knows that it is expected this little division of the army will do something, and it is mortifying to lose so many men by sickness without harring an opportunity of trying our fortune with the enemy. Although .I have had a relapse of the ague and fever since leaving Pisco so much care has been taken of me on board that 1 am almost as weil as ever. Bark twice a day with good port wine and good living have had a wonderful effect upon me. Four days more in that unhealtliy, wretched hole, Pisco, would have sent me to the other world for a certainty. 1 was during my illness almost constantly deliriomi and it brought me down to a mere shadow. Plaza 31 and Soler 32 are the only two officers who have escaped, but there is not a single individual in the division who is not debilitated. If 3 1 . Captain José Maria Plaza. 3 2 . Major Manuel José Soler. Fénix: Revista de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. N.10, 1954