Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/54

 what it may. Yesterday morning Santa Anna ordered Valencia not to fight; Valencia answered that he would fight, as his own and the honor of the nation required it—and he did fight with exemplary courage until 7 o'clock in the evening, at which time the firing ceased, when Santa Anna, because it rained, determined to take his troops to San Angel, leaving Valencia at his advanced post. At day-light this morning Valencia was outflanked by the enemy, in the direction of the inaccessible place the Pedrigal. (This is understood in the original—it refers to broken volcanic grounds.) He was entirely surrounded and on all sides; they fought like lions. Santa Anna coolycoolly [sic] observed this, and did not send to our general any assistance, fearing the laurels which, against his orders, Valencia was gathering; but Valencia was overpowered and succombedsuccumbed [sic], yet like a brave man. At about 7 o'clock this morning, afterwards, we were defeated at San Antonio and Churubusco. From these points the regiments of Hidalgo and Victoria were ordered to retire. That of Independence, which was isolated, was cut off by the enemy—some of its brave men were killed, as happened to that valuable young man M. de Castro, and others were made prisoners. In the midst of the universal desperation which reigns in the capital, because our numerous army has been beaten in detail by a handful of foreigners (although brave), as there have been corps of ours which did not fight, owing to the want of disposition by the general-in-chief, who has made us suffer the torments of hell: we have seen Santa Anna at dusk enter the palace, without suspecting until the present moment what it signified: some believing that it was owing to the rain and in order to spend a pleasant night like that of yesterday; others thinking that a capitulation had been agreed upon; but the greater part not knowing what opinion to form. I shall put this letter into the mail, &c., and will write again, * * * *

Everything is complete confusion and some time must pass before I can judge of events. * * * * *

I do not know what I have written. I am crushed by the horrible realization of my presentiments, which have never deceived me, and owing to which I have never been able to have any enthusiasm or faith in this war—and for which reason I have not been able to persuade myself to take a part in the war, though I have ardently desired it.

I had forgotten to say that Santa Anna has given orders for Valencia to be shot, when he has the sympathies of all in his favor, and Santa Anna bears all the odium which was not equalledequaled [sic] by that of the 6th of December. This is sufficient. Remember me to, &c., &c.