Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/57

 dispose of the affections of your subject and faithful servant, who, wishing you all happiness, kisses your hand.

Aug. 21,1847.

Sen. Don G.M.and T.:

My Dear Friend:—In my last I gave you an idea of the state and position of our army. Yesterday, at daylight, our right [referring to Valencia] was completely surrounded and routed, and afterwards the position on the left [Churubusco, Portalis, &c.,] were attacked, to which succeeded a disorderly retreat of our troops, which led the victorious enemy, to within one league of the city, where he paused, not to be wanting in a prudence becoming a wise general, although he might have entered to the very Palace itself. You may imagine the consternation and disorder prevailing in the capital at this time. To day Don Ig. Moro left the city with the object of proposing a cessation of hostilities under the pretext of collecting the wounded and an exchange of prisoners, although we have but very few of the latter. When he arrived at the camp of the enemy he was handed a letter which the American general had already prepared, proposing an armistice with a view to enter upon negotiations for peace, which naturally was accepted, and to-morrow it will be arranged by Moro and Quijoan, who are the commissioners. But the enemy declared his purpose of occupying the towns in the immediate vicinity of the capital, in order to obtain quarters and subsistence for his troops. This is the position of affairs today. What is to follow you can imagine, for we have no alternative but to enter into arrangements or leave the capital at the mercy of the conquerors.

Aug. 20, 1847.

1 o'clock, —Judas! all is lost—eternal shame for us. As I said to you when J closed my letter this morning, the firing between six and seven was horrible. At the last mentioned hour it entirely ceased, which caused me to believe that all was decided. I was listening until eight, and observing that there was no ringing of bells, I began to fear that the result was unfavorable to us. I went into the street and immediately perceived signs of sorrow and downheartedness in the countenances of all. I walked towards the palace, and observed the same: besides, several officers who arrived, said they knew nothing—but their manner shew very plainly our misfortune.