The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume VI

114

TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

men- Zapata distroyed the whole force- many were drowned in the river- Rodriges was made prisoner- Zapata now rejoined Canalis on the oposite side of the river at Guerrero, Salado-and all moved on for l\fier to meet Parbone-who hearing of the approach of the Fed- erals, left Mier for Matamoras- Canalis pursued with forced march and overtook Parbone at la 'Ameca about 4 leagues from Mier- Parbone was completely conquered-he was released on parole of honor; and the most of his men united with the Federalists- End NOTES TAKEN FRO:M: A CONVERSATION WITH GONZALES- Anyas and Gonzales visit to Texas was in September 1839- The Cen- tral army was generally about 5000 strong-Juan Molano, brotherinlaw to Canalis, was cowardly; and was anxious to go from Victoria to San Louis Potosi, instead of Saltillio, ]\falino took at Victory and other places 15000$ worth of Segrars; 1vith which he expected to pay off the Soldiers; but when they refu!,ed to take them in payment, he ordered them to be burnt, They were burnt in the public square at Howmabi, 3 oclk in the morning; and 3 hours afterwards the line of march was taken up, on the St Louis road. }Ialino was forced to retrace, & go to Saltillio-- From Victoria to Saltillio, the march was made in the rear of the mountains of Monterey; and the fight which came off at Saltillio, took place at Buane Vista- In this fight the Centralists had 1200 men. On the Federal side there was 100 Americans only; Lopez with his 250 :Mexicans having on the opening of Battle deserted their cause, and joined the Centrals. l\falino deserted also-previous to the battle-· The loss on the Federal side was some 4 or 5 americans; and one Mexican, a Yucantes bugler from Yucatan- The Centralists lost 50 killed- Victoria was garrisoned with 200 Soldiers when Jordan entered the place- They fled together with the Governor of the State; whose place was immediately filled by Licenciado Casarosa the Old, who was ap- pointed by the Federalists.- End Reoopitulation After the capture of Saltillio the army moved to l\f onclover taking all the captured supplies &c-At Monclover, the Officers expelled Lemus from the army-he was succeeded by :Morelos, It appears that Carialis tho' at first at the head of the army, was not regarded as a military man-he was decidedly cowardly, but could render himself useful where there was no personal danger, by means of his education. Morales being conquered by Vasques at Los l\roras, no Federals were left in the field except Canalis command, which escaping Vasques, moved down to ~fier, crossed the river opposite that place and awaited for such aid as Anya & Gonzales might be able to procure in Texas- Anya could make no arrangement with the Govt but he found a ready ally in the Cowboys in the West. These Cowboys were men who lived sort of a lawless, clepradating life on the frontier, by driving off cattle and

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