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who were reported by the Confidentes (Spies) to be in considerable force in the Solana whither it seemed we were bound. At 3 o clock the same day the division was formed up on the Solana road, and marched in the direction of Carcar, where it remained that night and the following day, in order to collect carts and mules for the carriage of provisions. At daybreak on the morning of the 3rd Armada de Tropa was beating through the streets and the division speedily formed on the road to Los Arcos where the General expected to find provisions. The road from Carcar to the latter place lies over a plain several miles in extent broken here and there by ridges of hills -- affording no verdure but wild thyme and heath -- After passing Sesma, a village situated on an abrupt hill, the plain becomes more level -- but on the right of the road on ? track to Los Arcos is a range of hills, with groves of dwarf oak and an occasional clump of olives. The troops had passed these hills with the exception of the rear guard which had been detained in bringing up a broken gun carriage and which consisted of a half troop of the English Lancers commanded by Cornet Clinton -- and some score infantry soldiers --
The first appearance of the Factions was on one of the abovementioned hills where a squadron of Lancers showed themselves, and trotting down charged the rear guard and obliged them to make the