Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/59

Rh, jeopardizing his position as well as his standing as an old patriot by heading an armed faction to demand the dismissal of the president's ministers, and the expulsion of the representative of a friendly and powerful nation. Bravo's popularity had been on the wane because of his intimate connection with a party including so many Spaniards among its members. He was undoubtedly actuated by generous impulses toward those whom his efforts had contributed to bring low. Still, his revolutionary course on this occasion was a serious error, and throws a blot upon his otherwise pure and honorable record. The minister of war displayed much energy. Guerrero started with forces almost as soon as Bravo, so that the latter had barely a fortnight for preparation before Guerrero was upon him. Bravo established his headquarters at Tulancingo, a town of ten or twelve thousand inhabitants, twenty-five leagues from the federal capital, in order to give his partisans in Mexico and elsewhere time to organize forces, distract the government's attention, and divide its resources. The rebel force under him was only 600 men. Tulancingo was assaulted on the 6th of January, 1828, by Guerrero with 1,500 men — not 3,000, as Zavala has it — and after a feeble resistance, in which the number of casualties did not exceed twelve, all the chiefs of the rebellion on the spot were captured. Barragan and Armijo were also made prisoners somewhat later. They were all taken to Mexico, to be dealt with according to law. The congress of Vera Cruz, which had adopted the plan de Montaño, was forced to make an honorable recantation.