Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/571

Rh Topete opened the communications by land from Alvarado to Vera Cruz, and formed a regulation for the safe passage of trains.

This royalist progress gave rise to charges against Bravo instigated by Rincon, and sent from Oajaca to Morelos by Matamoros and the inspector of cavalry, Cárlos M. Bustamante, dated June 12th. They demanded that Bravo should be removed and Rincon appointed his successor. The bad condition of affairs in the province was attributed to Bravo's bad luck; to the hatred the coast population bore him for certain executions claimed to have been unjust; and to the opinion they entertained that he was a traitor, who for venal causes allowed the convoys to pass safely on the Vera Cruz road. This representation, though not acted upon at first, led no doubt later to Bravo's removal from command in the province of Vera Cruz. On the other hand, the royalists did not like to see Bravo holding Coscomatepec. But he was then young, full of life and enthusiasm, and determined to hold it at all hazards. As it was not fortified he erected defences. The town extends from east to west on the section of a hill which is shaped almost like a truncated cone, surrounded on the east, north, and south by ravines, the extent to be defended being therefore limited. Against this stronghold the lieutenant-colonel Conti was sent from Orizaba toward the end of July with 400 infantry and eighty horse men. Bravo had 450 men, mostly royalist deserters, of whom about 100 were Spanish soldiers. The attack was a severe one, and even bayonets were used; but after losing many men, Conti had to give it up, and retired to Orizaba. Castro Terreño then organized a force under Juan Candano, which,