At 8 o'clock, anxious about the slow progress of the "Albión", and with his troops exhausted and suffering from altitude sickness, Sucre ordered a stop, ordering his commanders to hide their battalions as best they could. He sent part of the "Cazadores del Paya" battalion (Peruvians) forward in a reconnaissance role, to be followed by the "Trujillo", another Peruvian battalion. One and a half hours later, much to their surprise, the men of the "Paya" were suddenly struck by a well-aimed musket volley. The battle had started.