Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/381

Rh munitions of war, and above all of mortars and siege artillery of heavy calibre. In pursuance of his design, Calleja took up a position on the western side of the town at about a league distant, and began his preparations for a regular siege.

While Calleja was undergoing the mortification which attended his first defeat, a similar reverse was sustained by Llano in his attempt against Izúcar. That commander, in obedience to instructions, had marched from Puebla by way of Cholula and Atlixco, arriving about the 22d of February in front of Izúcar, distant sixteen leagues. His force consisted of about 2,000 men, 540 of whom were cavalry, with eight pieces of artillery. On the 23d, having taken possession of the hill of the Calvario, he opened fire with his artillery upon the town, and under cover of it advanced two attacking columns composed respectively of the battalions of Lovera and Asturias, under Colonel Antonio de Andrade. The revolutionists who had fortified themselves in the plaza, and were commanded by Padre Sanchez, seconded by Vicente Guerrero and Sandoval, repulsed all attempts to storm their position, and Llano ordered Andrade to retire. The assault was again tried on the following day with no better result. The "invincible conquerors of the victors at Austerlitz" were beaten by rustics fighting for their rights. Llano was now in an unenviable