Glorious Carabobo.

In June 21 1821 La Torre marched to the plains of Carabobo in what intended to be a diversionary movement. By this time his mood was defeatist for desertions had reduced his army to 5000 men while Bolivar's had grown to 6500. Bolivar divided the patriot army into three columns under Paez, Cedeno and Ambrosio Plaza with Marino as adjunt general.

Royalist artillery covered the valley Bolivar would have to follow to reach the plains which were surrounded by hills. Bolivar sent Paez by a little-known trail to strike the enemy on flank and rear while the main force assaulted the enemy center. Paez ordered an untimely charge and found himself caught in terrain difficult for cavalry and exposed to heavy fire.The British Legion advanced on the royalist main force and drew enemy fire, losing seventeen officers in almost as many minutes, but allowing Paez to recover. As the British Legion and the Apure batallion overran the anemy onto the plains with fixed bayonets. Paez and the llaneros made a devastating charge. The royalist broke and ran with lancers in hot persuit.

El Negro Primero During the heat of the battle Paez saw his bodyguard El Negro Primero leave the fray and ride to the rear, thinking El Negro Primero had lost his courage, Paez angrily asked him if he was afraid and ordered him to go back and get himself killed " No, my General" El Negro Primero replied, " I came to bid you farewell, General, I can't go back to get myself killed, because I'm already dead" Lifeless he slid from his horse.

The Battle of Carabobo was costly to the patriots, for they lost many able officers, including Cedeno and Plaza.The day of the battle Bolivar wrote Santander that

yesterday a splendid victory confirmed the political birth of the republic of Colombia. He called the army the greatest and finest ever to bear arms on any battlefield in Colombia.