TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
458
Killed, to the main body-attacks the main body-pursues them thro' the town; captures a small piece of artillery & some prisoners-Kills many- the enemy totally -routed. .t\Iina then returns to the town, with no .one killed & only one wounded.- The inhabitants fled-rich place the valle-1\Iina prevented all vio- lence & plundering-took a few articles necessary to the troops & a small sum of money which was divided among the troops- 'l'he people had just celebrated the burning of the Flotilla.- Evening 9th June-hears that Armiiian, from Altamira was in pur- suit of him, with 700 infantry & strong body cavalry, & was in two days march of him in his rear. Council was called-determined not to wait the arrival of the Enemy & give him battle, but to push on and "endeavor to join the patriots, before the enemy could get up."- The ,council was for going on; and at dawn 10 June took the march. The marches were long and without rest & little to eat.- 12th at night halted at a ranch, next morning 13, had tortillas & meat. Armifian was but few leagues off- l\iina "thereupon caused his division to mote forward" advanced rapidly-no time to procure provisions- On night 14 arrived at the haciendo Peotillos-the enemy close in the rear; Captured one of }Tina's men who lagged behind.- He arrived at the hacienda at night, hungry & fatigued; expected here something to eat; but to their surprise found the place deserted & nothing to eat. Fatigued, they slept soundly, hoping to get some- thing to eat in the morning. In the morning 15 while they were cook- ing their meals & cheered with the prospect of a good breakfast, it was announced that the advance guard was within 2 miles of the place. They were called to arms; marched to an eminence; whence he recon- noitered the enemv. A battle was now inevitable to retreat in their broken down condition was folly; "he therefor determined to strike a blow trusting that it might be attended by some fortunate result." He asked his men if they were willing to fight so ·strong a force; three cheers in the affirmative decide the matter. · The first charge of the enemy the enemy lost 22 dead one fire. this was with the advance guard--:-this advance continued to play round, waiting for the main force to come up harrassing 1\Iina in the mean- time.- The main body came up with infantry, Cavalry & artillery, advancing under coyer of the bushes unseen by :Mina, until they opened a havy fire upon him from Artillery. see page 101. :Morning 16 moved forward-at noon reached a ranch; where they took up quarters & fared sumptiously.- 17-march resumed- Sun set reached an haciendo-the priest rang the Bells-pretended to be friend; but was enemy, & boasted to the Royalists that he had counted the troops as they were formed in the square.- . Next day's march 18 brough him to a large hacienda called Espiritu Santo, on the frontier of the provinces possessed by the Patriots-the owner had it garrisoned at his own expense; but fearing mina, re- treated to San Luis The most of the male inhabitants bad been or- dered to leave by the owner. but }lina was met by a troop of females bearing the picture of the Yirgin & singing hymns-tarried that night outside of the hacienda-rations were provided & departed next morning 111
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