Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/512

456 were convalescent, or became so not long after the departure of the main army, and were capable, either of bearing arms, or of aiding, in some other manner, in the defence of the positions occupied by the garrison, — which was thus increased to near 1,400 men.

During the occupation of Puebla by the American forces, Atlixco became the seat of government of the state; guerilla expeditions, to operate in different directions, were fitted out here; and it was also the head-quarters of General Rea, who commanded the regular and irregular troops in this quarter. A tolerable degree of quiet prevailed in the city of Puebla, subsequent to the forward movement of General Scott, and while the armistice was in force, except that, on the 26th of August, a large body of the enemy’s cavalry appeared in sight, and captured and drove off a number of mules. A small party of twenty-six men,mostly teamsters, immediately mounted and started in pursuit. Within an hour’s ride of the city, they were surrounded by the enemy, and nearly annihilated. Ten of the party were killed, several badly wounded, and a few taken prisoners.

After this occurrence, no further open act of hostility took place, although robberies were frequently committed by the guerilleros, in the city and its vicinity, until the night of the 13th of September, when a warm, but desultory fire, was opened from the main street leading to the Plaza, the Tivoli, and the tops of