His plan was well conceived, and, unless Mejia had been forewarned or was keeping a sharper lookout than he was in the habit of doing, I feared it would go ill with him.
The camping-ground was much better suited for concealment than defence.

It lay in a hollow in the hills, in shape like a horse-shoe, with a single opening, looking east, and was commanded in every direction by wooded heights.

Griscelli's plan was to occupy the heights with skirmishers, who, hidden behind the trees and bushes, could shoot down the rebels with comparative security.

A force of infantry and cavalry would meanwhile take possession of the opening and cut off their retreat.

In this way, thought Griscelli, the patriots would either be slaughtered to a man, or compelled to surrender at discretion.
I could not deny (though I did not say so) that he had good grounds for this opinion.