On the first night of the voyage , the General stay at Facatativá with his entourage , which consist of José Palacios , five aides @-@ de @-@ camp , his clerks , and his dogs . Here , as throughout the journey that follow , the General 's loss of prestige is evident ; the downturn in his fortunes surprises even the General himself . His unidentified illness have led to his physical deterioration , which make him unrecognizable , and his aide @-@ de @-@ camp is constantly mistaken for the Liberator .