Fénix 10, 203-234

LETTEKS SO JAMES PAROI[SSIEN 2 15 might embark, land at Quilca and so march to Arequipa before he had time to return. The unhealthy climate, "ing marches, and excessive fatigue have kno- cked up more than half my division. Qf the 500. who left Haucho with me there are not more than 240 cffective remaining. Was 1 to attempt it 1 could not relate to you the obstacles 1 have had to surmount and the hardships the men have unáergone. At Mirabi 1 left upwards of 50 wounded, including the prisonerc, without a medical rnan, and as many more on the road beween that and Moquegua, who fairly dropped from fatigue. We did not halt but for four hours from Sama to Moqucgua, a distance of 40 leagues the way we went, and the rnen oniy eat once. They were 48 hours without tasting a mouthful. But we owe entirely to these forced marches our successes. In fact nothing but perseverance and a run of good luck could have ensured the fortunate events that have taken place. Had we arrived at Maribi six hours later the force of 180 inf[antr]y from Puao would have joined La Hera 41 and we most probably should have been sacrificed. Had the attack at day break been delayed ten minutes the enemy wouíd have gained a most advantageous po- sition, which he had neglected to do until it was too late, and the chances would have gone against us. CPf our march to La Calera 1 shall say nothing excepting that more than half the men were left on. the road with the puna or shortness of breath. It was to me the most fatiguing 1 ever performed. 1 wish to God Brandsan 42 had accompanied us. This 1 say in secret and 1 hope you perfectly understand me. 1 am going to recommend particularly in a private letter to the general Captains Videla 43 and Plaza 44, Lts. La Tapia 45 and Correa 46 (Cirilios' brother), and 1 hope their good co~duc twill be rewarded by promotion. I have so much to atterid to and so many things to say that I hardly know what I am writing about. Add to this excessive fatigue and a head ache, and 1 am sure you will excuse this rough scrawl and allow me to conclude. Remember me to el Sr. Mayor General, Bourgoyne 47 and al1 my friends and. Believe me ever Yours most sincerely, Wm. Miller. Send me lots of printed papers. Al1 the bulletins if you can. Portocarrero 48 is a gentlemanly clever fellow, of much influence, and 41. Colonel José Santos La Hera. 42. Captain Federico Brandsen. 43. Captain José Videla Castillo. 44. See note 31. 45. Francisco de Paula Latapiat. 46. Estanislao Correa, brother of Cirilo Correa. 47. See note 11. 48. Mariano Portocarrero, Sub-Delegado of Moquegua and a former secret agent for San Martín, who had now joined Miller. Fénix: Revista de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. N.10, 1954