Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/231

Rh chronic lack of funds, which affected armament in quality and sufficiency, and uniforms as to congruity, one common and conspicuous feature of the latter being the national sarape. The reforms effected were mainly due to the energetic Santa Anna, who assumed control as provisional president on March 18, 1839, and manifested his self-will by promptly placing the press under restraint.

Bustamante had marched to San Luis Potosí, and content with the achievement, he remained there revolving what next to do. Encouraged by this inactivity, the enemy emerged from the gulf districts into Puebla under Urrea and Mejía, and proposed to disconcert his plans by threatening the seat of the department and consequently the capital itself, where a large number of adherents stood prepared to rise. Santa Anna saw the danger, and on the strength of a reluctant permission from the council he hastened on April 30th to Puebla, borne in a litter, ordering at the same time the concentration there of available troops. This promptness turned the scale. The city was already in a ferment; within three hours of his arrival a pronunciamiento in favor of federalism would have been made, involving the release of prisoners in the jails and the overthrow of the small garrison. Santa Anna's presence sufficed to awe the factions, and the approach of troops caused them effectually to subside. General Valencia had brought forward the greatest force, and to him were confided 1,600 men and five guns wherewith to face the enemy. They met at Acajete on May 3d, and a fierce battle ensued. The centralists had found time to form in good order, so that when the less strong federalists fell upon them at the break of day they were warmly received.