Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/311

Rh roof covering, and other sources. Work at the fortifications was carried forward with increased activity; and to this end were impressed the prisoners, and also citizens, who had often to expose themselves to heavy fire, especially from American sharpshooters.

The troublesome proximity of the besiegers on the north side induced Miramon to make an attack upon them before dawn on the 1st of April; but while the cazadores pushed their way to the very summit of San Gregorio, and gained a decided advantage, capturing two guns, they were not properly supported by the other forces, and the movement proved futile. An equally vain and costly attack was undertaken against the Garita de Mexico, east of the Convento de la Cruz, the day after celebrating the anniversary of Maximilian's acceptance of the throne.

Notwithstanding the boastful tone of the speeches on this occasion, it may be imagined that their spirit was rather forced, and mainly owing to the absence of news from Marquez. Everybody had felt confident that the expected reënforcements would arrive within a fortnight, but three weeks had passed without a sign. The numerous enemies of the general began