103
PAPERS OF ·MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
rots and give them battle; but this Canalis forbid, upon the gro~nd, that the enemy had a larger force in reserve, and were only tryi:i;ig to decoy him from his strong hold. Canalis, was not disposed, personally, to leave his place of safety, and wanted the Americans to remain with him. He, however, sent Zapata out with a part of the Cavalry to reconnoiter. The enemy's Cavalry was in advance some distance of the infantry, so that the latter could not well sustain the former. Zapata perceiving this charge fiercely upon the enemy's cavalry, and found no difficulty in putting them to flight. His very name was sufficient to do this- The infantry perceiving the retreat and con- fusion of the Cavalry, instead of coming to their assistance, broke in great confusion for the City-The victory was brief decisive and glorious; with the exception of one fact, that nearly one fourth or third of Zapata's men, refused to charge; and one or two Companies fled altogether & never returned. . Whilst this fight was going on some of the Parbone recruits, deserted and went into town and made known to Canaliso the whole state and condition of the Federalists. Th.rough the aid of these deserters, Canaliso formed a plan to get the whole of the Parbone men in the fort, to betray the Federalists; to steal the amunition; and when he, Canaliso, should give the appointed signal, to turn upon the Federal- ists & slaughter them. The plan was all arranged-and would have succeeded, but that a Letter was recd by Canalis, late at night, from a friend in the City, apprising him fully of the treachery- So soon as this letter was recd. Canalis called his men to arms ; as it was supposed, to attack the city; but it was soon made known that he intendea. a retreat. The treacherous soldiers of Parbone, suspect- ing that their designs were detected, broke precipitately from the gar- rison & made for the City- Canalis, moved without delay, and took up the line of march toward Morino- Canalis went in the advance, with tlie company of Life Guards, commanded by the notorious Dr. Alsbury of San Antonio-Zapata brought up the rear, with Capt. Price- The Centeralists pursued- The march was a forced one & in great confusion- Canalis terrified at being pursued, and not know- ing what to do, permitted his men to fall into the utmost disorder and confusion. His life guard fled and never returned-Zapata in the mean time, keeping up the rear, wou[l]d occasionally turn upon the purs[u]ing army, and hold them in check- The Centralist were affraid to attack him, and whenever he would turn for fight they would halt and fall back. This continued until they reached Morino- The last of Zapatas men, had just crossed the river when the advance of enemy appeared on the oposite banks- Some of the Americans who were lingering in town to purchase bread, drink &C, whilst the main body was gone, came near being caught- A man by the name of Jefferys was closely pursued by mexican Lancer and was about to be overtaken when Zapata, who was still in sight, perceiving it, turned to his rescue, and slew the pursuer, & rescued Jeffery- The Centralist pursued no • faf r]ther. They halted at M:orino-Oanalis, however terrified out of his wits, still pushed ahead in great haste and disorder-went on to a mountain about 30 miles from Morino, where he encamped, having made a march from the time of leaving Monterey of sixty miles with- out halting.
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