Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/184

 148 MEXICO. that he would have attempted the first ; but considering the wretched state to which they were reduced, he thought he should not be justified in risking the fate of the nation upon the issue of so hazardous an enterprize. An attack made upon Llano's great battery a short time before, convinced him of the impossibility of preserving order amongst his men, in case of a first success, and of the fatal consequences with which their confusion might be attended. The Insurgents had advanced with great intrepidity, and carried the battery at the first assault ; but finding there a considerable stock of salt meat and segars, (luxuries of which they had long been deprived,) they seized upon them with such avidity, that not all the exertions of their chiefs could induce them to turn the advantage which they had gained to account ; the guns were neither carried off, nor even spiked : and so much pre- cious time was wasted, that a large reinforcement arrived from Calleja's camp, and drove them out of the battery again with considerable loss. With such reasons for avoiding an action, one cannot but approve of the resolution taken by Morelos to evacuate Cuautla ; which was executed with equal talent and success. On the night of the 2d of May, between eleven and twelve o'clock, the troops were formed in the Plaza of San Diego ; Galeana took the command of the advanced guard, More- los of the centre, and the Bravos of the rear. Such was the silence observed by the column, that they passed be- tween the enemy's batteries without being perceived; nor was it until they reached a deep barranca, (or ravine,) over which they were obliged to construct a bridge, with hurdles carried by the Indians for that purpose, that the alarm was given by a sentry, who fired his musket before Galeana had time to cut him down. The barranca was hardly crossed, when the column was attacked, on opposite sides, by the troops of Llano and Calleja. Morelos instantly gave the word for a general dispersion, as had been agreed upon, with