Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/573

Rh drove off with them 1,800 mules that had been obtained for transporting tobacco.

When Morelos heard of Bravo being beleaguered at Coscomatepec, he ordered all available forces to his relief. Matamoros was one of those who started on that duty. On his way he was informed on the 13th of October that a large train of tobacco had left Orizaba in charge of Lieutenant-colonel José M. Martinez, escorted by the Asturias battalion under its commander, Candano, and some cavalry under Moran, and that it would pass the night in San Agustin del Palmar. Matamoros accordingly made his dispositions to attack it, and on the morning of the 14th, the convoy was assailed along its whole extent. A severe engagement ensued in which the royalists sustained a serious defeat, losing 215 killed, 368 prisoners, and 521 muskets. Among the prisoners were Candano, two captains, and thirteen subalterns. The train escaped, however, with the loss of only seventy-five loads. Matamoros took his prisoners to San Andrés Chalchicomula, where after the victory had been duly celebrated with salutes and a high mass, Candano and another officer, a Mexican, were shot. Captain Longoría was also condemned to death, but at the intercession of the priest and citizens his life was spared. The remaining prisoners were taken to Zacatula; on the road the other captain was also shot for attempting to escape after he had joined the independent service. Matamoros made no attempt against Puebla or even Izúcar, though both places were weakly garrisoned at the time, but returned to his headquarters at Tehuicingo. His victory highly