Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/456

440 lasted 111 days. The town was much damaged by the artillery of the enemy, there being evidences to be seen everywhere of the heroic defence made by Trujano and the garrison. Morelos recruited his army from these men who had displayed such devotion to the cause, and created a regiment that he called the San Lorenzo, the command of which was given to Trujano.

The victory in the Mizteca opened to Morelos the gates of Oajaca; but though advised by Trujano and others to attempt its capture, he declined. It was thought by some that he apprehended a strong resistance, which would have delayed his plan of capturing Tehuacan, which he could reach before Llano, at that time engaged in conveying the convoy to Vera Cruz, could arrive. Others say that he wished above all to organize the troops within the territory placed under his command by the supreme junta.

We will now for a while leave Morelos after his victory in Oajaca, and the royalist commanders campaigning in Guanajuato, Puebla, and Vera Cruz, to devote our attention to parliamentary matters in Spain, which are intimately connected with the events of that period in Spanish America.