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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
The 1st August the enemy (Barradas) began his movement. II! the Corchos took place the first encounter with the invaders. The Mexi- cans were defeated. Garaza [sic] was to p,revent the enemy from crossing the river and taking possession of Tampico; but instead of making any effort to do it, he did nothing but "entered into conversation with the enemy, and returned to his camp as if nothing had happened."- He abandoned the points, which he was occupying, falling back to Altamira'"- Immediately after the surrender of Garza, Barradas "with the greater part of his division was advancing upon Villerias and Altamira, leav- ing in Tampico a respectable garrison. Barradas encountered Teran in Villerias; but Teran not being able fo resist him, he was ordered by Garza, his superior, who occupied Altamira to retreat, which Teran did-this was on the 17-"Garza retreated also four leagues distant from the point which he was defend- ing. Barradas occupied the place which he was wanting with very little loss. While these movements were going on Santana arrived at Tuxpan 11-and tried to take advantage of the absence of the greater force "Of the enemy." He crossed the river on the 20, and atacked the city; "''the attack was prolonged until two o'clock in the afternoon of the 21, the hour in whfoh Genl Solomon raised the white flag seeking a parley in order to capitulate and surrender his arms."- The conference had hardly commenced between the commissioners -0£ both sides, when a whirl-wind of dust announced that Genl. Bar- radas was approaching with two thousand five hundred, men to the aid of his troops in Tampico.''- If Genl. Garza had attacked the rearguard as he could have done, the violent march of the invader could have been retarded.- After the union of Teran and Santana, Barradas, alarmed at his situation, his men daily dying with fever, proposed an interview with Santana, with the view of capitulating on condition of being allowed to sail for Havana with his troops. The proposition was rejected. It was renewed again and again when finally .Santana said that he would not permit any more parleys in his camp, nor any other reply, that would delay his operations, unless it was to surrender at the discretion -of the conquerer." This decided the matter-a battle took place on the 10th of Sep- tember. Barradas was defeated and the next day the terms of the •capitulations were adjusted, "the afternoon of the 20 of September, Santana sailed in an "English packet" for Veracruz. While the campaign was going on against Barradas, an apprehension prevailed that another Spanish force was about to land on the southern coast. This led to the organization of a military force called the army of Reserve at the head of which Guerra placed the vicepresident Busta- mante. He littfe thought "that those same elements reunited by his hand with so great sacrifices would be so many other stones that, in the future would serve to build his sepulchre; but for him, the honor :and glory .of the country spoke louder than his personal interests, and there is no doubt that this meritorious Mexican proposed his remain- ing in power for the cause of the nation." Altho' the Escoses had abused Guerrero for not making timely prep-
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