Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/801

Rh which, under the circumstances, appeared to him as nockery. The constitutionalists had been taught by reverses how to inflict injuries. The campaign in the interior had been somewhat brisk, and advantageous for them. Early in April Ortega entered Aguascalientes, the reactionist Ramirez retreating, threatened by Uraga, who joined Zaragoza near San Luis Potosí. Ortega next went to Zacatecas; Ramirez had gone to Fresnillo. Uraga was on his way to concentrate at Zacatecas when the reactionist Rómulo Diaz de la Vega attacked him at Loma Alta, north of San Luis, on the 24th of April, and was defeated, falling prisoner, together with General Calvo and others; in consequence of which San Luis Potosí was evacuated by the reactionists. After this several chief interior cities were either taken or besieged by the liberals. Oajaca had been besieged ninety-eight days, when, on the approach of a reactionist brigade, the siege was raised.

Degollado was sent back into the interior, and he appointed Uraga quartermaster-general of the army. Large bodies of liberals were concentrated to attack places occupied by their foes, whose resources were becoming low. Guadalajara was closely pressed by Ogazon, and its commander, Woll, despaired of making a successful defence. Miramon repaired to the interior early in May 1860, with the double object of relieving that place and attacking Uraga. Taking with him from Querétaro the troops of Mejía and Castillo, he advanced to Irapuato and Šalamanca. Uraga, who had his headquarters in San Felipe, sent some troops to Guanajuato and left the rest in Silao. Miramon marched against the last place, and Uraga retreated to Leon, stationed his main army and trains in Lagos, and tried to draw the enemy to the Cerro Gordo. His movements were such that Miramon