Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-03-08
From "Prescoirs Conquest Of .Merico."
GREAT BATTLE OF oTUMBA.

AS the army oil CORES was climbing the
mountain sleeps which shut in the valley oil
Otompan, the videttes came in with the in
telIigence, that powerful body was en-
camped on the other side, apparently await
ing their approach. The Intelligence was
soon confirmed by their own eyes, as they
turned the crest Of the sierra, aud saw spread
cut, below, mighty host, filling up to the
whole depth Of the valley, aud giving to il
the appearance, from the white cotton mail
of The warriors, of being covered with snow,
IL consisted Of leyies from the surrounding
country, and especially the populous terri
tory Of Tezcuco, drawn together at the in
stance OF Cuitlahua, Montezuma's successor,
and now concentrated on this point to dis
pute the passage Of the Spaniards Every
chief OF note had taken the field with his
proudly displaying all the pomp and rude
splendor Of his military equipment. As far
as the eye could reach, were to be seen
shields, waving banners, fantastic helmets,
forests of shining spears, the bright feather
mail Of the chief, and the coarse cotton
panopy Of his follower, all mingled togeth-
er in wild confusion, and tossing to and
fro like the pillows of troubled ocean. 1t
was sight to fill the stoutest heart among
the Christians with dismay, heightened by
the previous expectation of soon reaching
the friendly land which was to terminate
their wearisome pilgrimage. Even Cortes,
as he contrasted the tremendous array be-
fore him with his own diminished squadrons,
wasted by disease and enfeebled by hunger
and fatigue, could not escape the conviction
that his last hour had arrived
But his was not the heart to despond !;
and he gathered strength from the very ex-
tremty of his situation. He had no room
for hesitation for there was no alternative
left to him. To escape was impossible. He
could not retreat on the capital, from which
he had been expelled. He mist ADVANCE
cut through the enemy or perish. He hasti-
iy made his dispositions for the fight. He
gave his force as broad front as possible,
protecting it on each flank by his little body
Of horse, now reduced to twenty. fortu-
nately the had not allowed the invalids, for
the last two days, to mount behind the r-
ders, from desire TO spare the horses, so
that these were now in toIerable condition I;
and, indeed, the whole army had been re-
freshed by hating, as we have seen, two
nights and day in the same place, a delay,
however, which had allowed the enemy time
to assemble in such force to dispute its pro-
gress.
Cortes instructed his cavaliers not to part
with their ances, and to direct them at the
4 face. The infantry were to thrust, not
strike, with their swords passing them, at
once through the bodies Of their enemies
They were, above all, to aim at the leaders,
eho arol hot h Hs
on the life Of the commander in the wars OF
barbarians, whose want Of subordination
makes them impatient of any control but
that to which they are accustomed.
He then addressed to his troops a few
words of encouragement, as customary with
him on the eve Of an engagement. He re-
minded them Of the victories they had won
with odds nearly as dscouraging as the pres
ent thus establishing the superiority Of
science and discipline over numbers
Numbers, indeed, were of no account, where
the arm OF the Almighty was on their side.
n And he babe them have full confidence, that
Z He, who had carried them safely through Sc
many perils, would not now abandon them
and his own good cause, to perish by the
hand Of the in6del, His address was brief
for he read in their looks that settled resolve
which rendered words unnecessary. The
Circumstances Of their position spoke more
forcibly TO the heart of every soldier than
any eloquence could have done, filling il
with that feeling of desperation, which
makes the weak arm strong, and turns the
coward into hero. After they had earnest
y commended themselves, therefore, TO the
protection Of God. the Virgin, and ST. James
Cortes led his bataliions straight against the
enemy.
1t was solemn moment, THAT, in which
the devoted little band, with steadfast coun
tenances, and their usual intrepid step, de
scended on the plain, 10 be swallowed up
as it were. in the vast ocean Of their enc
mes. The latter rushed on with impetuos
Ply to meet them, making the mountain.
2ring to their discordant yeis and battle cries
and sending forth yolleys Of stones and ar
bows which for moment shut out the ligh
/ 8of day. But when the leading files Of The
two armies closed, the superiority Of thu
Christians was felt, as their antagonists, fall
ing back before the charges of cavalry, wer,
thrown into confusion by their own mum
bers who pressed on them from behind
THE Spanish infantry followed up the blow
and wide lane was opened in the ranks 0
he enemy, who, receding on all sides, seemed
willing to allow free passage for their op
Ponents. But il was to return on them will
accumulated force, as rallying they poured
ppon the Christians, enveloping the littl'
army on all sides, which, with its brstlins
faay Of long swords and javelns, stood firm
lin the words Of contemporary al
lslet against which the breakers, roaring ant
furging. spend their fury in vain. The