Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-02-23
THE MASSACRE OF CHOLULA.

THE MASSACRE OF CHOLULA.
The following is from MIR, Prosecute
new work the conquest of Mexico:
The lalaI signal, the discharge Of an
arquebuse, was then. given. In an in
slant every mushst and crossbow was
lsvelled at the unfortunate CholuIans
in the court yard, and Crightlul VoIley
poured into them as they stood crowded
together like a herd Of deer in the cen.
tire. They were laken by surprise, for
they had not heard the preceding dla
ogue with the chiefs. They made scarce
ly any resistance to The Spaniards, who
followed,up The discharge Of their pieces
by rushing on them with their s"ord9;
and as lhe half naked bodies OF the ma
uves afforded no protection they he"ed
them down with as much case as the
reaper mOws down the ripe corn in har
vest time. Some endeavored 10 scale
the walls, but onIy afforded q ,surer
mark to tho arquebuslers and archers
Others threw themselves into the gate
ways but were received on the long
pixies of the soldiers who guarded them
Some few had better luck in hiding
themselves under heaps Of the slain
with which the groundwaS soon loaded.
while this work Of death was going
on, the cOunlrymen Of the,saug htered
Indians, drawn together by, the NOSE OF
the massacre, had commencedae curious
assault on the Spanards frotn without.
Bot CorIes had placed hlsbdttery oI
heavy .gunsin 3 position that comman'
ded thesaVenues and swept of The files
of he assalIanIs,as they rushed On. 10
he inlerVGIs between The discharges,
which, in the imperfect state OF the SCI
ence 10 that day, were much Longer
than ours, he forced back the presO by
charging with the horse INTO the midst
| The sleeds, The guns, the weapons Of
the SpanIurds were ell new 10 the Cho
lulaus. NolwlhssndiOg the novelty oI
the terrific spectacle the fash OF fire"
arms mingling with the dea'ening roar
OF the artillery as ils thunders reVerbH
rated among the buildings, the despair
mp Indians rushed on 10 take the places
Of their fallen comrades.
While this fierce struggle was going
forward, the TIascaIaDs hearing the
concerted signal had advanced with
quick pace into the city. They had
bound, by order nj Cones, wreaihs OF
sedae round their heads, lhalthey might
lho more surely be distinguished from
the ChoIu aus. Coming UP IN the very
heGt of tho engagement, they fell on the
deIenceIess rear OF the townsmen, who
itampIed down under lhs heelS oi the
CastiDian cavalry on one side, and CALLED
byatheir VIndlctiVe enemies on the 0lh-
or could 10 longer maintain their ground
They gave way. some taking refuge III
The nearest buildings, which being part
" of wood, wero speedily set on fire
Others fed to the temples. One strong
party, with number Of priests at IT.
head, GOT possession OF tbs great tejc1ih
There was vulgar tradition. alread'
alluded to, that, on removal OF part o
the walls, the god would send forth al
innndalion to oVerwhelm his enemies
The supers,itious ChoulNns with gres
difficulty succeeded in wrenchlng ava
: somo of the stones in the walls OF tn
edldce. But dust not water followed
Their false god deserted them in tn
hour Of their need In despnir the
: flung themselves into the wooden IuI
rets that crowned tho temple, and pour
ed down stones, javelins, and burn'n
arrows on the Spanistds, as they clint
q cd the great staircase, which by h'gh
- Of one hundred and twenty steps, scale
" The face of tho pyramid But the her
shower felI harmless on the steel bor
nols OF the Chnslans, while they aVaI
:, ed themselves OF the burning shafts
y set fire TO the wooden citadel, which wa
:, speedily wrapt IN flames Sill the ga
" rison held out, and though quarter, IL
said, was offered only ono EboIuIan q
i vailed himself OF it, The rest lhro
y themselves hoNdloug into the Parape
= or persisted miSeraby in the homos'
i - -