Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/671

Rh absent one month, the object of his journey being to learn by a personal inspection the true state of affairs in Guerrero. Santa Anna was everywhere the object of foreordered ovations, and in some parts the abject rabble pulled his carriage. But so great was becoming the desertion among his troops that a specially severe order was issued by Minister Blanco at the hacienda San Gabriel against deserters. The liberals abandoned Los Cajones on his approach. He captured Fort Coquillo, the garrison having escaped, This victory was made much of by his flatterers. Álvarez abandoned his position at Peregrino, his plan being to dally with the enemy and let the deadly climate defeat them.

The revolution was certainly spreading, and though the government applied its resources to the best advantage, destroying considerable bodies of rebels, and shooting a number of prominent leaders, among them Gordiano Guzman at Cutzamala, the conflagration spread from Zacatula to Tusantla, and from Tacámbaro to Tecpan. In Rio Verde, a captain broke out in open rebellion in April.

Santa Anna ordered the confiscation of property belonging to revolutionists, the burning of hostile towns, and the execution of their chiefs and others taken in arms. These orders were generally carried out, Santa Anna's severity being great toward those showing lukewarmness. One day the dictator's rear guard was cut off from the rest of the forces, and he found himself without communication even by means of foot-messengers. This gave rise to all sorts of rumors. His highness had been not only defeated, but also seriously wounded; while the Diario Oficial announced triumph after triumph of the dictator's forces, and disgraceful defeats of the revolutionary troops, foretelling that the defence at Acapulco, which it