Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/803

Rh It is recorded to the discredit of the liberal cause that one of its forces on the 29th of April visited Bermejillo's haciendas, San Vicente, Dolores, and Chiconcuac, sacked them, and shot four Spanish subjects, which tended to complicate the difficulties with Spain.

Ramirez reoccupied Zacatecas early in June, and on the 15th was routed by Ortega at the hacienda of Peñuelas. The action lasted two and a half hours. Whole battalions were captured, artillery, trains, small arms, and ambulances fell into the victor's hands.

Miramon marched to southern Jalisco with 6,000 men and 32 cannon, having with him Mejía and Castillo, and found the constitutionalists to the number of 8,000 under Zaragoza intrenched on the height of Zapotlan. After a few days' hesitation, he concluded that it would not be safe to attack the eneny in his stronghold, and retreated to Guadalajara. The defeat at Peñuelas had some influence in checking his impetuosity. Leaving Castillo there, he retreated to Lagos, which had been occupied and then evacuated by Ortega, where he reorganized and augmented his army; but he could no longer communicate with the capital, owing to the activity of the guerrilla parties. He afterward repaired to Leon, where Zuloaga, whom he had been virtually holding as a prisoner, effected his escape. This flight much alarmed Miramon and his supporters. The council of state was called upon for a decision. The disappearance of the president, that emanated from the plan of Tacubaya and gave a legal status to Miramon, was a serious matter. He might recall his decree of January 31, 1859, and want