273
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
for the surrender of the fort; but the letter fell into Santa Anna's hands and Flores was deprived of his rank. The Government was not pleased with the selection of the officers to fight Santa Anna. It appointed Calderon, lberri and Hincon whom Santa Anna had defeated at other times and probably the most in- efficient men there were. Calderon stationed himself five leagues from Veracruz and remained there a number of days in a state of perfect stupor, having neither the sense nor the energy to make a move of any sort. Santa Anna, taking advantage of this turpitude and stupid- ity, left Veracruz with a body of 500 men and by making detours to avoid Calderon's forces intercepted and captured a convoy of provi- sions, munitions and money on the J alapa road intended for Calderon, which amounted to 20,000 pesos. Santa Anna succeeded in returning to Veracruz unmolested, taking with him 200 prisoners whom he in- corporated in his own forces. He freed the officers because he did not need them. This was a bold and a well executed movement. A few days later Calderon broke camp and retired to J alapa on ac- count of the continuous desertion of his troops who preferred enter- taining themselves at Veracruz to living idly in the country. On the first of March at nine o'clock in the morning this General started on his ,vay, but Santa Anna did not know of it until after six in the evening. He immediately set out in pursuit of him with 800 infantry, 500 cavalry and no cannon, and at dawn reached Santa Fe and camped a short distance from his opponent, who had occupied the hills and placed himself in a state of defense, not wanting to make an attack, although he had three thousand men under his command. The two officers remained thus throughout that day. Farfulla believed that Calderon's retreat was inspired by fear, and under this false impression decided to place himself in Calderon's vanguard by forced marches and detours to halt at Tolome and offer battle despite the superior numbers of the enemy. By marching all night he reached Tolome at six o'clock in the morning. Scorning his opponents, as was his habit, he made very few arrangements for the battle and none to secure his retreat in case it should be necessary. This lack of prudence and wisdom was disapproved by some of his officers, but Santa Anna said, touching his forehead, "my plans are here." Calderon made his appearance a short time afterwards and firing on both sides began simultaneously. All were waiting for the plans to unfold which Farfulla said he had in his head, but this hope soon vanished when Calderon attacked him with three pieces of artil- lery and swept away his first line. Colonel Landero with his ninth bat- talion sustained the shock of the onslaught for some time, but Calderon ended the conflict with a vigorous bayonet charge. In a few minutes all was disorder and confusion. It became a complete save himself who can, which example was set by Santa Anna himself who ran and hid in a nearby canyon. Two individuals accompanied him in this hiding-place. Santa Anna, afraid of making any noise, threw down his sword and reprimanded one of his companions for having discovered him. Farfulla remained there until he could escape under cover of night and flee to Veracruz where he arrived before sunrise. The cou-
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