Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/569

Rh. Though Ojeda occupied a pretty strong position, he was dislodged in about an hour, losing many men and a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition, after which the royalists entered and sacked Acatlan. The men captured and the war material were left in Izúcar, where no little surprise was caused by the good clothes of the prisoners, and the fine quality of the arms taken.

The insurgents had used every endeavor to possess themselves of the city of Tlascala, as Morelos had been induced to believe that the inhabitants were in favor of Mexican independence; but they had been frustrated by the vigilance of the royalist garrison, and according to the commandant of the place by the opposition displayed by the citizens' heroic loyalty to the crown. On the 4th of December a force, which the commandant, Agustin Gonzalez del Campillo, estimated at more than 1,000, though he had been assured by some prisoners that it was only about 500 strong, attacked the town after a demand for its surrender had been made and declined. The garrison, if we must believe the commandant, consisted of only 75 men, who were aided by the citizens, many of whom had never seen military service. The assailants' plan was to draw attention to the main street, where the royalist artillery was stationed, while they attempted on the left by approaching along a narrow street to capture the parapet. In this they were disappointed, being repulsed with several killed, among them a captain. The assault having thus failed, the revolutionists retired.