When Morillo learned of his
retreat, he immediately went on with his persecution and at last met the
independent army in a place called La Puerta, where, on March 15, 1818, he
inflicted on Bolivar perhaps the greatest of his defeats, although at great
loss to himself, and suffering severe wounds. The Spanish authorities
thought that Bolivar would never recover from this disaster, but soon the
undaunted Liberator was again fighting the royal forces.
The defeat of La Puerta was so costly to the royalists that they did not
dare to occupy the position. It was considered so important, however, for
the cause of Spain that Morillo was rewarded with the title of Marquis
of La Puerta. Morillo waited for reinforcements to be sent to him by the
Spanish commander of Caracas, Latorre; and Bolivar, who never despaired,
immediately got ready for new struggles. He summoned Paez to his aid and
prepared for the defense of Calabozo, so that when Latorre arrived he found
a well organized army under command of the Liberator. He withdrew, and
Bolivar followed him, fighting an indecisive battle.
Convinced that he could not at that time occupy Caracas, Bolivar decided to
consolidate his position in the West, and sent his troops towards the city
of San Carlos, while he worked actively in Calabozo, and elsewhere through
his lieutenants, to increase his army. Then he went to join Paez, was
surprised and defeated on his way, being in imminent danger himself.
Furthermore, through a partial defeat of Paez and disasters of other
officers, by the end of May the insurgent forces were almost totally
destroyed.
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