Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/548

528 From the moment the city of Mexico was evacuated, desertions on a large scale constantly occurred in the Mexican army. At Guadalupe Santa Anna resolved to let go all officers and men that were unwilling to follow him. On the march of a part of the force under Herrera toward Querétaro, the desertion was such that only by great efforts was a complete dispersion prevented. Santa Anna marched with his demoralized force on the 16th of September for Puebla, reaching its suburbs on the 24th. He hoped by the aid of General Rea, who had been besieging the place, to effect its capture, which he considered an easy undertaking, and thus cut off Scott's communications with Vera Cruz. The United States force holding the town under Colonel Childs consisted of 500 effective men, well armed but otherwise unprovided, and 1,800 invalids. According to Mexican accounts, Santa Anna had 2,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and a good supply of siege artillery, but his operations availed nothing. He raised the siege on the 1st of October, and marched to El Pinal, hoping to cut off a valuable convoy escorted by General Lane. He was again unsuccessful, the convoy entering Huamantla on the 9th, a few hours after his departure from the place, and continuing the march to its destination. Some fighting occurred on the 9th, the foreign invaders having serious casualties; but the Mexican army was now reduced to a skeleton, and