They go into action
The news of the Battle of Cancha Rayada caused great consternation and fear in the inhabitants of Santiago, all of whom were thinking of a new emigration to Mendoza. In those critical circumstances, the popular guerrilla Manuel Rodríguez appeared, and by shouting 'We still have a homeland, citizens!' the courage returned to those who believed everything was lost and he was appointed Supreme Director. The Chilean people associated him with the government of the Delegate Board chaired by Luis de la Cruz, and in a few hours Rodríguez organised and armed a regiment that he called Hussars of Death, meaning that they preferred to die before giving victory to the enemy. He encouraged the people and gave weapons to the volunteers who showed up to build the defence of Santiago. It is the guerrilla who dominates the situation and prepares the capital to resist the royalists, agitating the people and organising an extraordinary mobilisation. The rumour of O'Higgins' death in the Battle of Cancha Rayada ran everywhere, and the people saw as the only leader Manuel Rodríguez, the ''Warlord of the Reconquest'', who now wore his elegant black Hussar uniform and was accompanied by many of his followers and friends. At that time the Hussars of Death took great prominence and adorned the streets of Santiago with courage, vigour and patriotism, their skulls came to life and the people were ready and determined to defend the independence of Chile. Thirty hours after Manuel took office as Supreme Director, the Supreme DirectorGroup dissolution
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