Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/303

Rh river, along the southern edge of the town, turning from its south-west corner toward the Cerro de la Campana. Only a part of the walls and earthworks had been constructed before the siege began, and the remainder had to be done often under a galling fire. The southern and western lines were more regular; but elsewhere house-walls and barricades formed a considerable part of them, and wholly so for interior lines. The elevations of La Cruz figured as the key to the place, the points next in importance being the bridge of Miraflores street, crossing the centre of the town, the Campana hill and the Pueblito gate at the south-east corner, where rose the strongest batteries.

The hills surrounding these lines, and commanding the entire town, had, with the exception of San Gregorio, been passively left to the Juarists for their batteries, with which they soon began to rake the place.

Skirmishing begins a few days after the arrival of the besiegers, a score or two of horsemen approaching from either side and commencing at long range with volleys of epithets, one seeking to excel the other in this species of savagism, varying it at times with a shrill vibrating cry. Soon the bravest gallop forward a distance, discharge their rifles, and turn rapidly back. Others imitate them, until they tire or till the loose firing inflicts some harm. The party first to retreat is generally pursued by the other, and the latter as readily takes to flight in case of a rally by the pursued. The republicans having extended their lines eastward, the emperor passed on the 13th of March from Cerro de la Campana, and his headquarters became henceforth the Convento de la Cruz, the centre point for attacks, and exposed especially to the battery on Cuesta