Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/450

430 government. After a few telegraphic exchanges, on November 27th the conferences terminated.

After the victory at Tecoac Diaz was for a moment embarrassed as to his immediate movements, owing to his want of ammunition for the Remington rifles with which the prisoners that had been taken, and now incorporated into his force, were armed. Alatorre had fled to Puebla; and at a council of war held by Diaz it was discussed whether that city, Mexico, or Orizaba should be first attacked. But Diaz soon decided to make the capital his objective point. He encountered no difficulty in his progress. Almost at the commencement of his march he was met by a commission from the governor and legislature of Tlascala, announcing their espousal of his cause, and placed at his disposal 400 men and 40,000 Remington cartridges. Before his arrival at Apizaco he was met by another commission from Altamirano, in command at Puebla, which had been abandoned by Alatorre, informing him that this general placed himself under his orders. Whereupon Diaz turned his course toward that city; and as General Alonso with his column happened to be temporarily stationed there, Diaz secured his person and won over his troops. Thus Puebla, garrisoned by 3,000 men and supplied with immense war stores, was occupied without opposition. Then followed the submission of Ibarra, in command of Orizaba, and of Márcos Carrillo of Vera Cruz, the former with 2,000 men, and the latter with 3,000 stationed in different towns. These submissions were received on the same day that Diaz entered Puebla; and having left a small garrison there under Couttolenne, whom he appointed military governor of the state, he proceeded without delay to the capital, at the head of a well-organized and thoroughly equipped army of 12,000 men. On his march thither he was met by Teran, who informed him of the flight of Lerdo, and the position of affairs in the city. On the 23d