took to flight, and succeeded
in reaching Curacao in safety. He did not, however, remain long in
retirement, but in September 1812, hearing of important movements in New
Granada, repaired to Cartagena, where he received a commission to
operate against the Spanish troops on the Magdalena river. In this
expedition he proved eminently successful, driving the Spaniards from
post to post, until arriving at the confines of Venezuela he boldly
determined to enter that province and try conclusions with General
Monteverde himself. His troops did not number more than 500 men; but, in
spite of many discouragements, he forced his way to Merida and Truxillo,
towns of some importance in the west of Venezuela, and succeeded in
raising the population to his support. Forming his increased forces into
two divisions, he committed the charge of one to his colleague Rivas,
and pushing on for Caracas the capital, issued his decree of "war to the
death." A decisive battle ensued at Lastoguanes, where the Spanish
troops under Monteverde sustained a crushing defeat. Caracas was entered
in triumph on the 4th of August 1813, and Monteverde took refuge in
Puerto Cabello. General Marino effected the liberation of the eastern
district of Venezuela, and the patriots obtained entire possession of
the country in January 1814. This success was, however, of very brief
duration. The royalists, effectually roused by the reverses they had
sustained, concentrated all their means, and a number of sanguinary
encounters ensued. Bolivar was eventually defeated by Boves near Cura,
in the plains of La Puerta, and compelled to embark for Cumana with the
shattered remains of his forces. Caracas was retaken by the Spaniards in
July; and before the end of the year 1814 the royalists were again the
undisputed masters of Venezuela. From Cumana Bolivar repaired to
Cartagena, and thence to Tunja, where the revolutionary congress of New
Granada was sitting. Here, notwithstanding his misfortunes and the
efforts of his personal enemies, he was received and treated with great
consideration. The congress appointed him to conduct an expedition
against Santa Fe de Bogota, where Don Cundinamarca had refused to
acknowledge the new coalition of the provinces. In December 1814 he
appeared before Bogota with a force of 2000 men, and obliged the
recalcitrant leaders to capitulate,--a service for which he received the
thanks of congress. In the meanwhile Santa Martha had fallen into the