About nine o'clock
At seven o'clock our regiment moved out , and the men of the third squadron , of whom Cordova had spoken , provoked much humour and good-natured chaff as they rode past on their baggage mules . It was thought that they would help to make a show , but no one suspected that later on , when ordered to remain in the rear , they would answer firmly , `` No , we will conquer or die with our comrades ! '' The cavalry , consisting of four regiments , was stationed in the centre , with an infantry division on either side , and a third in the rear as a reserve . About nine o'clock a great cheer rose from all parts of the plain : the Royalists were descending the craggy side of Condorcanqui . Between the infantry of each division appeared the cavalry , the riders leading their horses and advancing with difficulty . It was an impressive scene , and we stood watching with breathless interest . Then our fellows renewed their cheering as General Sucre , riding along the line , addressed a few rousing words to each particular corps .