Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-04-06
CONQUEST OF MEXICO.
THE BATTLE OF OTUMBA.
By WIN. II. PRESCOTT.

=
BIZ WIN. II. PRESCOTT.
GThe narrative proceeds with the mas
AsrIy retreat from Mexico to Tlasscala
The worn out forces of Cortes fought anC
aimed the great battle Of Olumba, or
his retreat, and he himself performed
me of those daring exploits, which some
lines decides the fortunes of the day, and
which always stamp the military genius
ID a commander. This battle is one oil
The most remarkable in the history of The
conquest The passage is long, but The
Extract is so interesting, both in matter
Ind manner, that we will give it room
As the army was climbing the mountain
oteep which shut in the Valley of Oom
pan, the videltes came in contact with the
Intelligence that powerful body was
Dncamped on the other side, apparently
awaiting their approach. The ialeli-
gence was soon confirmed by their own
eyes, as they turned the crest of the sier
FRA, and saw spread out, below, mighty
hest, filling up the whole depth OF the val
ley, and giving to it the appearance, from
the white cotton mail OF the warriors, OF
Ahcing covered with snow. Ii consisted Of
gevics from the surrounding country, and
especially the populous territory OF Tez.
enco, drawn together at the instance OF
Cui,lahua Montezuma's SUCCESSOR, and
now concentrated on this point TO dispute
THE passage of the Spaliards. Every
chief Of any note had taken the field with
his whole array gathered under his stand
ard. proudly displaying all the pomp and
rude splendor of his military equipment.
/ As far as the eye could reach, were to be
seen shields and waving banners, fantas-
tic helmets, forests OF shining spears, the
q bright iea,hered mail the chief, and the
coarse cotton panoply of his follower, all
mingled together in wild confusion, and
Tossing to and fro like the pillows Of the
troubled ocean. 1t was sight which fiji.
led the stou.est heart with dlsmay among
the Christians with, heightened with The
presious expectation OF soon reaching the
Friendly land which was to terminate their
wearlsome pilgrimage. Even Cortcs, as
ne contrasled the tremendous array be
fore him with his own diminished squad
gon, wasted by disease and enfeebled by
munger and fatigue, could not escape the
conviction that his last hour had arrived
put his was not the heart 10 despond Il
Pno ne gathered strength from the yeryI
Extremity Of his situation. He had no
room Tor hesitation, for there was no al.
ernatlye left 10 him. To escape was i'm.
possible. lie could not retreat upon the
apltal, from which he had been expeI.
CO. lie must advance but through the
nemy' or perish. He hastily made his
'sPos'"ons Tor the fight. He gave his
ORG as broad front as possible, yro
AHec.ing 1t on each flank by his linle BODY
~ morse, now reduced 10 twenty. For
una.ely, he had not allowed The nya-
'us, LOT The last Two days, 10 mount be
nu the riders, from desire to spare
II. "ofses so that these were now in
.'eIap'e condition; and indeed, The whole
aany mad been refreshed by haliing as
80 nave seen, two nights aud day in The
s sune place. delay, however, which had
s anIwed the enemy time to assemble in
'' ~. lorce TO dispute its progress.
oof'es instructed his caviliers not 10
part with their lances, and to direct them
~ a. Inc lace Theiniantry we're to thrust,
=. VOL strike, with their swords; passing
snem a. once, through the bodies o! their
:. ."emles. They were, above all, directed t
!, 70 am at the leaders, as The general we'll Ii
AneW now much depends on the lille of,heIr
' in the wars OF barbarians. h
wnose wantof subordina,ion makes them Z
,S Ip'. Of any control bu. that 10 which )
NY are accustomed. |,
ne then addressed 10 his troops a few ]
~ q encouragement. tic reminded a
w. o tne victories they had won, Win !,
!. , nearly as discouraging as The prss 4
; J snus establishing the superiori,y of|a
snse and decipline over nnmbe ] ! :
a .oe,s, indeed, were of 10 accom-, 4
NJ ;le .; .ne arm Of The Almighty was ~ :
Nv, sd s.de. And hebade hem have XII !.
.s'n1a rs thar He, Who carried ,b .u
NV w through 50 many peris' would anon eo'
49,. ABANDON . them and his own W. so "O !