Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/628

612 Encouraged by the success of his former raid into Querétaro, the exultant Ramon Rayon proposed to surprise Jilotepec, the headquarters of Ordoñez' military section controlling the northern highway. Although inferior in strength, the latter was better protected than had been expected, and managed by a well calculated flank movement to overwhelm the left wing of the advancing forces. The disorder spread to the centre and right, and seemingly sure victory was turned into a disastrous rout, with the capture of over 100 fugitives, who were as usual executed, at the brink of one immense grave. And so were lost at one blow the fruits of Ramon's brave defence. The fame of Cóporo diminished, and the convoy routes to Querétaro and Valladolid were quickly cleared of several imposing bands, including that of Mariscal Cañas, who was overtaken and killed.

In Michoacan Aguirre's operations round Cóporo were supplemented by several others in the interior, notably under Claverino, who with nearly 500 men swept resistlessly southward into the Tiripitio region. More important were the movements of Iturbide, who, ever intent on great deeds, undertook to surprise the insurgent congress, and this without imparting his plans to Llano, to whose field it pertained. The preparations were made with all secrecy, and by forced marches Iturbide covered in four days the distance from Irapuato to Cínciro, not far from Ario, where the deputies then held forth in comparative confidence. He had proposed to fall upon the town before dawn