Christophe Vuillaumes efterslægt - Christensen, Erichsen ...

unjustly, namely the commodore Aury, and the general Florencio Palacios, and made himself many great
enemies. Among them was general Ducoudray Holstein, of whom I am compelled to speak more than I would
have done, if what I relate was not a characteristic picture of the chieftains on the Main.
From the time that general Ducoudray had taken the temporary command of the strangers, during the sessions
of the legislature, general Castillo became entirely changed in his manners to the former. He became
embarrassed, cold and stiff, when he before was very intimate and friendly. When we took a ride out, which
happened almost every afternoon, he was silent and appeared sorrowful, and when I asked him the reason of it,
he said to me, ―that he had no motive at all to be so.‖ I perceived this change, and declined to ride out any more
with him. I heard afterwards that he felt jealous of me, and the ascendancy which I appeared to have over the
strangers, and that he wished to have me out of his way, declining to follow a great many of my suggestions,
tending to introduce more order and discipline among the army, so called, of Carthagena, counting less than
2000 men in all.
I was therefore appointed commander-in-chief of the four forts of Boca Chica, which I found in a deplorable
situation. I arrived in the night, very unexpectedly, and when I rose at day-break, as usual, I met with a
handsome young man, well dressed, who approached me in a respectful manner, and welcomed my arrival,
saying that the report from the commander in the forts was, that nothing had passed worthy of notice. I lived in
a large and beautiful house, called the Commandancia, at some distance from the forts, at the entrance of the
borough, called Boca Chica. This young man was nothing else than the first servant of the Commandancia,
who told me that the former commanders of these forts, were in the habit of receiving from him, Lucas, every
morning, the report from the forts. Astonished at such a disgraceful mode of service, I ordered the four
commanders of these forts, the major and the staff officers, before me, and established order and discipline,
which had been very much neglected. I understood that the officers on duty and guard, left their guards under
the care of a sergeant, and came in short jackets, into the village, where they passed the whole night.
When Bolivar approached Carthagena, the question was suggested, whether I could be trusted to remain, as
the commander of such an important station as that of these forts, which lay as a bulwark at the entry of the
port of Carthagena, 12 miles from the fortress. Some said I might be in favor of Bolivar, and give up to him
these forts, but the majority were in my favour, and expressed great confidence that I would be faithful to my
duty, and was an officer of honor and trust. Martial law was now proclaimed in Carthagena, where Castillo
commanded, and in Boca Chica, where I had united the three powers. As the garrison of the four forts was very
weak, and unable to do field duty, I assembled the inhabitants of the surrounding islands of Boca Chica, Baru,
Passao-Caballos, &c.; represented to them, in a short and earnest speech, the situation in which general
Bolivar's hostile attack placed us, and showed them the necessity of taking shelter, with their families, in the
forts, and doing military duty, as militia, promising at the same time, that not one of them should be pressed,
(as was the common use,) for the marine service, and that they should be armed and fed at the expense of
government. They assented unanimously, and I had about 1500 young and brave soldiers more, which I
organised the same day in different corps and companies. I created a company of 150 boys, from 10 to 15 years
old, which rendered me great service. Drills with the musket, rifles, and guns, were regularly established in the
forts, and the distribution of good rations provided for, a hospital organised, military tribunals erected, the
marine, including 15 armed vessels systematized, the fortifications repaired, the arsenal, workmen, forges,
sailmakers, fishers, &c. established, and all was activity, zeal and order, so that many thousand strangers, who
were witnesses of what passed in Boca Chica, were surprised to see such activity and zeal, when at Carthagena
all was in great apathy.
One Sunday, being at mass, I observed a great bustle amongst the congregation, and all the men and boys
running, in the midst of divine service, out of the church. Much surprised, I sent an officer to know the reason
of it, and received the report that the commandant of the Matricula (or press gang) had arrived from
Carthagena, in order to press sailors in Boca Chica; and that as soon as they heard that the colonel Marques
was coming, they fled into the mountains and surrounding forest, fearing they should be pressed. I determined
immediately to show them that I was a man used to keep my word, having pledged myself to protect them
_______________________________________________________________________
Side 49