220
TEXAS STA.TE LIBRA.RY
umphal entry into Mexico does not lack interest in consideration of the fact that it discloses his general character and at the same time is an example of the conduct and the principles which have since marked his career. It will be remembered that Iturbide had proclaimed that the officers of the Spanish army who would join the insurgents should hold a com- mission next to that which they held at the time they deserted their ranks. Santa Anna wished to profit by this proposal, but he did not wish to do it until he had attained the rank of Lt.-Col. from the Vice- roy, so that he could enter the liberator army as a full Colonel. He attained his end in the following manner. The impulse communicated by General Jose Joaquin Herrera to the Independent party in the province of Veracruz, and the fear that General Miranda, occupying Yztapla with some independents, would march against Orizaba, obliged Governor Davila to send a force to that place in order that jt might remain faithful to the King. Santa Anna, having given so many proofs of his loyalty to the Royalists, was offered this command which he accepted. He immediately marched to Orizaba where there was a strong party in favor of the Independents. He spared no efforts to gain the confidence of one Jose Maria Tornel, an insurgent who had been pardoned and was then a Royalist lieutenant. At the same tim~ Santa Anna was secretly anxious to join the new cause, but he did not want to do it immediately for the reason that we have already expressed, namely, until he should obtain the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel from the Viceroy. Santa Anna had scarcely reached Orizaba when the vicinity of that place was occupied by General Miranda, called The Lame, whose forces were daily increasing. An emissary was sent to him to inform him that Santa Anna wished to join him and would have done so before but for fear the people of Orizaba would offer some resistance, their own forces being much too weak to support themselves. He proposed that Miranda advance with his troops close to tho city on a certain day and that at night Santa Anna would leave the city and go to some appointed place in order to effect the desired union. Miranda accepted the proposal and carried it out in good faith, not suspecting the snare which the infamous falsifier was preparing for him. According to the agreement, }[iranda marched with his troops to within a short distance of the town and found Santa Anna at the appointed time and place. The conference agreed to devise necessary means for compelling the people of Orizaba to declare in favor of the principles proclaimed by the Independents. This having been agreed to, Santa Anna retired, and Miranda, full of confidence, went to sleep. But a short time after- wards, in the midst of the silence and darkness of midnight, Santa Anna suddenly attacked the Independents, surprised and routed them, and at dawn returned to Orizaba extolling his triumph and ordering a solemn Te Deum to be chanted in the village church which he hypo- critically attended while his hands were still covered with the blood of the valiant men whom his savagery hacl sacrificed. He immediately sent word to the Viceroy, informing him of the victory obtained !or the arms of the King, his master, over the enemies of the most bemgn of monarchs. While he was awaiting the reward of his villainy, he sent secret agents
Powered by FlippingBook