Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/32

 enemy, upon which the English Minister and our Minister of Foreign Relations, had a talk, at about one o'clock last night.

Congress has been ordered to meet, but it must fail.

A great many of the members arc absent. I have only recited what I know from ocular witnesses, separating the credible from the incredible.

I conclude from want of time, and because both the pen and writer are used up.

Good bye, my friend,—and I hope that God will not permit you to witness as many misfortunes as your friend.

Don J. P. F.:

(After detailing the events as usual down to the midst of the fight at Churubusco, the writer goes on to say:)

The cavalry was ordered to make a charge, but these cowards refused to do it—nevertheless the action was well sustained, but the Yankees advanced their right wing as far as the edge of the river, so that the river only separated us from them—then our infantry in front dispersed, and at their example the fortifications in front (on the road, i. e. the tele-de-pont) were abandoned, afterwards the right (i. e. Churubusco), when it saw itself alone—-and then the retreat became a dispersion, the enemy following close upon the rearguard, even to the very ditches of the garita (gate). At twenty yards from the garita, there was an American officer killed, who was about to kill Santa Anna with his sword. This is the history of the battles.

The morale of the, army has been lost, and all enthusiasm extinguished; nevertheless, the enemy has lost about 2000 men, while we still have 16,000, and if there was a head to these, we could still conquer.

The regiments of Victoria and Hidalgo have dissolved so as not to fight.

An armistice is in discussion, on the basis, that the capital shall not be attacked, and that the Yankees will take nothing without paying for it—and they will encamp in the neighborhood. This armistice will serve to collect the dead, and arrange a peace. The reflections which these events give rise to, are so natural that I omit them. We shall soon see each other, for if peace is made, I am going where you are, and no less if the army take Mexico, as I am resolved never to live in a place commanded by them. I will never witness the degradation of the occupation of our capital by the enemy. My blood boils at witnessing so much cowardice, so much inaptitudeineptitude [sic] and infamy, and one must either die, or fly from this