Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/51

 We proceeded with the greatest activity to make preparations for resistance, and ordered the heaviest pieces of ordnance to be brought from Penon to San Antonio, and we protected our right flank as much as possible, fearing that the enemy might take advantage of us in that quarter. We made ditches and redoubts, and General Perez's brigade, composed of 4000 Infantry and 700 horse, of the hussars, who were at Jalapa, was ordered to go around towards Coyoacan (near San Angel). The 5th brigade, composed of Victoria, Independence, Hidalgo and Bravo's, were ordered to march to Churubusco; this brigade was composed of 2,000 men and generally called Polkas. On Wednesday the Yankees presented themselves at the hacienda of Coapa, about a fourth of a league from San Antonio. There must have been seven or eight hundred men, and we fired several shots at them with our 24-pound piece, and some shells, with a good result. In the mean time I took a nap at general headquarters, about half a league this side of San Antonio, where Bravo commanded. Day before yesterday (Thursday) we continued firing cannon on the enemy, and at about 1 o'clock we observed that Valencia, who was posted at Magdalena to impede the enemy that way, commenced firing cannon. The fire was heavy, when an Aid of Valencia arrived saying that he was being surrounded, and we sent an Aid to Perez and another to Mexico to Lombardini (Minister of War), in order that he might tell Rangel to march with his 2,000 men, together with Perez's brigade, to the support of Valencia. At about half past 3 o'clock in the afternoon we found ourselves in front of the enemy, who were taking a position on the left flank of Valencia, who, the enemy, on seeing 5,000 men who came to reinforce Valencia, commenced covering themselves in the bushes and behind the church of San Geronimo. However, the enemy's forces in front of Valencia continued to fire upon him, and he, Valencia, returned their fire with 21 pieces of cannon. A little before dusk we received three light pieces we had sent for, and we fired six times with good result. I had proposed not to ask where we were going; and what was my astonishment when, at night, we were ordered to retire to San Angel, two and a half leagues distant from Valencia's camp. We there met Rangel's division, and ours, together with his, amounted to 12,000 men.

Well, old gentlemen, instead of marching early the next morning to the beautiful position we left on the 19th, we did not start till after 6 o'clock, merely, as it were, to see the destruction of Valencia, and we had not arrived at the position of the previous day when we met two flying soldiers, at about