Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/655

Rh Inclan, Manilla, and some other adherents, in August he sought the mountain regions south-eastward, in order to place himself in communication with Tehuacan. Apam and the districts beyond thereupon rapidly recovered from the depression created by the long campaign.

Osorno had still nearly 600 followers, and Teran believed that combined operations would serve to distract the royalists, permitting advantageous descents on the Vera Cruz highway and the pursuit of many other projects. Not choosing to burden his own district with a host of strangers, he persuaded the new ally to maintain himself near San Juan de los Llanos and wait for opportunities. One of these was to surprise in detail Concha and Moran, stationed in November at Huamantla and San Andres, respectively, with 400 men each. On November 7, 1816, accordingly, Teran and Osorno approached San Andres with a force of nearly 1,000, mainly cavalry; but Moran by a quick movement managed to secure the advantage of position, and repulsed the first column of horsemen so effectually that their disorderly flight created a panic among the rest and led to a general scamper. This was followed by another discouraging repulse of Teran's forces by Samaniego, in the region of Acatlan; and now the clouds grew darker still.

In Vera Cruz the operations of the insurgents centred more than ever on the roads to Mexico, by