Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/551

Rh. There were guerrilla parties constantly annoying the invaders, and often striking serious blows. Those under Rea in Puebla had kept Childs confined to narrow limits in that city, capturing his mules, and intercepting his supplies. In Vera Cruz the parties were under different chiefs, the most notable being Father Jarauta and J. C. Rebolledo, comprising in all about 400 men, mostly rancheros. The enemy's trains required to be strongly guarded by infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and even then they did not always escape unscathed. The guerrillas of Tamaulipas were under Canales, Urrea, and Romero, having some cavalry officers of the regular army under them. The United States military authorities finally adopted stringent measures to check depredations, and even shot a number who had violated their parole.

During the progress of the events already related, various occurrences took place in the Californias, New Mexico, and on the western coast of Mexico, which, though having but little effect on the main question of the war, were still parts of its history, and had a direct bearing on peace negotiations.

Public attention was soon called to dissensions among the generals of the invading army. An accusation having been made against Scott, a court of inquiry was ordered by his government. He was deprived of his command, Butler succeeding him on the 18th of February, 1848. Leaving them to their quarrels, let us continue the thread of Mexican history.

The prominent man now was President Manuel de la Peña y Peña, born at Tacuba on the 10th of March,