He saw also (for though an indifferent general he was no fool) that the only way of saving his army from destruction, was to break out of the valley at all hazards, before the Spaniards enclosed him in a ring of fire.
Mejia took his measures accordingly.

Placing his _llaneros_ and _gauchos_ in front and the infantry in the rear, he advanced resolutely to the attack; and though it is contrary to rule for light cavalry to charge infantry, this order, considering the quality of the rebel foot, was probably the best which he could adopt.
On the other hand, the Spanish position was very strong, Griscelli massed his infantry in the throat of the _quebrada_, the thickets on either side of it being occupied in force.

The reserve consisted exclusively of horse, an arm in which he was by no means strong.

Mejia was thus encompassed on three sides, and had his foes reserved their fire and stood their ground, he could not possibly have broken through them.

But the Spaniards opened fire as soon as the rebels came within range.