Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/217

Rh one man killed and one wounded, while he captured all of Hidalgo's cannon, ammunition, and baggage, a large number of cattle, sheep, and horses, and a quantity of merchandise, besides rescuing the captives García Conde, Rul, and Merino. Thus terminated the affair at Aculco, which, trivial as it was, regarded as a martial achievement, was important as effecting the dispersion of Hidalgo's forces and frustrating his design against Querétaro. Had the insurgents not abandoned their position, they would probably have gained a victory. But the leaders were at variance; the soldiers were disheartened; the Indians were disappointed at not having been led to the capital; and all were affected by the demoralizing consequences of a retreat. As it was, a great victory was celebrated by the royalists in the capital, and solemn thanksgiving offered to their divine general, our lady of los Remedios.

About the movements of the revolutionary chiefs during the ten days following their departure from Aculco, historians are strangely silent; but one fact is certain, namely, that they effected their retreat to Celaya with insignificant loss. Here Hidalgo and Allende formed new combinations, and it was decided that the latter should inarch with the forces to Guana juato, while the former, accompanied by a few fol lowers, should return to Valladolid, and there repair losses by the manufacture of arms and the levying of fresh troops.