Finding that Maldonado was an untenable position, Auchmuty evacuated it a week later and sailed up the river. [Sidenote: 13th Jan.] The retention of Beresford’s army was an act of treachery which called for reprisals, and these he resolved to take by attacking Monte Video, which stands on the north bank of the river, on the opposite side to Buenos Ayres, and some one hundred and twenty miles below it. On the 16th he landed in a small bay to west of Caretas Rocks, nine miles from Monte Video, the enemy watching the disembarkation in great force, but not daring to oppose it. Three days later Auchmuty began his advance upon Monte Video in two columns, the right column being made up of the Seventeenth, two troops of the 20th, and as many of the 21st Light Dragoons, all of them dismounted, under Brigadier-General Lumley. The Seventeenth had previously exchanged their carbines for Spanish muskets, which had been obtained at Rio Janeiro. This right column was early attacked by the enemy and threatened by 4000 Spanish cavalry, which occupied two heights in the front and right of Auchmuty’s advance. The attack, however, was soon repulsed by the dismounted cavalry and the light companies of the infantry; and the enemy retired, allowing the British advanced posts to occupy the suburbs of Monte Video on the same evening. [Sidenote: 1807.] Auchmuty himself had his horse shot under him while directing this column, and remounted himself on Colonel Evan Lloyd’s charger. [Sidenote: 20th Jan.] Next day the enemy took the initiative, sallying forth against Auchmuty’s force with 6000 men and several guns. This time they attacked the British left and left flank with cavalry, using their infantry to keep the dismounted cavalry in check. After driving in the picquets the Spanish infantry column was repulsed with great slaughter, and the cavalry then retired. The enemy’s loss in this action was reckoned at 1500. The English loss between the 16th and 20th was 18 killed and 119 wounded of all ranks.