Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/563

Rh On the 6th of April the attack was made, Galeana taking possession of the Iguanas hills; Julian Áyila, La Mira hill; and Felipe Gonzalez, in command of Morelos' escort, occupying the first houses of the town. None of the assailants met with any opposition. The whole force did not exceed 1,500 men, with only a few pieces of artillery of small calibre. It is indeed remarkable that Morelos undertook to capture with so small an army a town and fortress having for their defence eighty pieces of artillery, and some armed vessels, besides a free use of the sea. The city was thus surrounded and closely besieged on the land side. The following days the firing was kept up against the defences, being energetically answered by the castle San Diego, the advanced works, and the fort at the hospital garrisoned by 100 men with four guns under Pedro Ruvido, a Spaniard. On the 10th, Morelos occupied the line of the creek without resistance, and on the 12th a general assault was made. Ávila was seriously wounded at the first shot, and was obliged to retreat to the Veladero; but at nightfall the explosion of a box of ammunition in the hospital frightened its defenders, who thereupon fled, leaving the wounded and sick. The city was also abandoned by the inhabitants, and the captors lost no time in plundering it. Drunkenness and disorder followed; and if the garrison had then made an attack it could have won an easy victory. Morelos somewhat later captured the fort named El Padrastro, and other advanced works, and caused all the houses standing around the castle to be burned, notwithstanding the efforts of the garrison to prevent it. Morelos lodged his men in the other houses, and occupied one of them himself. Soon after he made this arrangement a ball struck and killed his aid, Felipe Hernandez, at his side, and Morelos was spattered with the blood. At this time he was joined by an Indian woman of Tasco,