263
PAPERS oF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAl\IAR
This misplaced confidence and lack of experience on the part of the Spanish general were the cause of his defeat and misfortune. . Barradas's forces were sufficient to defeat Santa Anna without diffi- culty, but instead of following him immediatelyJ he delayed-his move- ments until Teran, who had troops with him from the interior and also forces, which, under the command of Garza, had taken flight before the invaders. succeeded in joining Santa Anna. A bloody battle took place on September 9, 1829 between the combined forces of Santa Anna and 'reran and those of Barradas which resulted in the total defeat of the Spaniards after two hours of fierce conflict. Barradas was compelled to surrender his forces, a surrender which was effected under reasonable and fair conditions. A short time after- wards he set. sail for the United States, not caring to expose himself to the punishment of his Government for the poor management of his expedition. :Farfulla's conduct in regard to the funds for defraying the expenses of the campaign and the consequences resulting from it are worthy of record. The enthusiasm of the people was so great and so universal that provisions and aid of all kinds were sent from various parts of the country for the support of the troops, in addition to the provisions of the Government. However, these effects were not applied to the purposes for which they were intended, but to the personal use and benefit of the Commander-in-Chief. The things were sold by an agent especially appointed for this purpose, and the proceeds went into Farfulla's private coffers. 'l'he same thing happened to the money which he received. He never gave an. account of it. In a word, he robbed the Government and the troops of all that he could. His cor- rupt conduct became so notorious that it incurred the hatred of the people and finally involved him in difficulties from which he could not extricate himself without a show of cowardice. The courageous Colonel Nicolas denounced him publicly as a thief and coward and then chal- lenged him to a duel; but the prudent· Farfulla, who had no taste for settling difficulties in such a manner, preferred to assassinate the man he feared and sought an occasion to attack Acosta .when the latter had no arms with which to defend himself; and he would have succeeded in killing him had it not been for those present. A few days later Acosta lost his life in battle after receiving twenty-three wounds. Many persons believed that Santa Anna caused his death by placing him at a point from which it was impossible for him to escape alive; but that is not true, for those who saw him fall declare that his death was caused by his ow_p. temerity. One word is necessary in regard to Garza, Farfulla's intimate friend. He is the same Garza who rose in revolt against Iturbide at Soto de la Marina, then turned coward and surrendered his arms and accepted the Emperor's pardon; the same Garza who afterwards became an active agent in the capture and execution of that unfortunate commander. That he was a traitor and a coward during Barradas's invasion is conceded by all. However, despite all of this, Santa Anna could not be induced to punish him. And why? We have already alluded to the reason_.:, it was because of the service which Garza had done him in extracting from the public archives of his department the proofs of Santa Anna's forgery. Mr. Zavala, in speaking of Garza, says that
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