Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1847-09-21
SANTA ANNA,s MANIFEsToi

the Mexican nation, giving MS version OF the
causes of his recent defeat, which he does not
affect to deny and scarcely extenuates. 1t is
an interesting document and will amply re-
ward perusal.
Manifesto of the Provisional President and
COMMANDMENTS Chief of the Army.
In moments so critical and solemn, it be-
comes the duty of him who presides over the
destiny of the Republic to give publicity to tn.
recentevents, and comply with pleasure, as
candor has at all times been the character Of
my administration. The incidents of the 18th
and Goth are too notorious, having been disas
trous; but am bound to present review of
them, lest they should be misrepresented as
much by the spirit of detraction and malevo-
lence, az by the errors which may result from
false analysis of such grave and transcendent
affairs.
The nation has witnessed the great and ex-
traordinary efforts with which, in the space of
three months, prepared for the defence ofthe
capital, which was on the point OF being sur
rendered to the enemy without resistance. |
have formed, armed and equipped an army of
more than 10000 men; have provided vast
material for this army; have fortified various
lines in order to remove from Mexico the raw
ages of the war; have created resources in
spite Of the isolated position to which the Go
vernment was reduced; and have spared no
toll and no labor in order to make my country
appear with dignity and firmness in the contest
to which it was so unjustly provoked.
In war, an accident, thing that appears tri-
fling, overthrows the best formed combina-
tons. A glance at the defences which estab-
lished round the city is sufficient TO discover
the plan which had proposed to myself. The
forces which | had advanced on one OF the
tod hv nfb ctatln al
venient distances, had a point to fall back up
on, well known to them, and of which gave
notice at the proper moment. To one general
who had command of strong division of 6O0O
men, with twenty-four pieces of artillery, and
whose headquarters were at the village of San
Angel, sent orders at ii o'clock on the morn
ing of the 18th to fall back upon the town OF
Coyoacan, in order to form concentration of
forces, following the movements of the enemy,
which were already evident, and particularly
TO unfold my plan of operations. Butthis gen
eral, forgetting that no two men can command
in field of battle, and that for the execution
of plan, no observation which may annul or
retard ii can be admitted, took upon himself TO
object to the orders which he had received; and
as we had banished from among us obedience
and discipline, so indispensable in military
matters, had to be tolerant in order to avoid
greater evils, and let him, to my great regret
act, throwing upon him the responsibility Of
whatever might happen. The result was as IA
tai as had foreseen. He advanced, ofhis own
accord, more than league, and selected po-
sltion to meet the enemy without giving me
notice of his movement or of his Intentions
The refusal which he gave to my advice was the
first news had of his temerity, and soon ate
the roar of cannon showed me his position, ant
gave me notice that an action had commenced
Although overwhelmed with presentiment o
what was to happen Iput myself immediate
ly at the head of brilliant division of 400(
men and five pieces of artillery | arrived a
the moment when the enemy had cut off BY tht
rear the position of the illfated general with
respectable force, and / was hardly able t.
check his operations, as the night was alread,
setting in.
But perceived with sorrow that the posi-
ton was isolated; deep ravine, and Woo
occupied by the enemy, being interposed be
tween us, it was impossible for the troops un
der my immediate command to advance by tn
only road there was, without exposing them
selves as were already the others, and only on
battery, which arrived late, could do any in
jury. The firing having ceased, our brigad
took up its quarters in the neighboring villag
OF San Angel, because, as it rained in torrents
1t would have been equal to defeat to hav
kept the troops in the open field.
Previous to this, however, had ordered m
aide-de-camp, Col. Romro, to pass the terri
bic ravine which was in our front, and, guide
by Don Jose Maria del Rio, we'll acquainte
with the country, TO reach the camp of tn
general, and to advise him to withdraw tina
very night to San Angel with his Infantry an
Cavalry, by the only road which was left t
him, spiking, previously, the artillery whic
it was not possible to save. My aide-de-cam
succeeded, and communicated my orders bet
ween ten and eleven o'clock that night, but in
stead of being obeyed with punctuality, tn
above named general hardly allowed my aid t
speak, interrupting him by stating that he wan
ted 5000 men and ammunition, and sent hin
off with two dispatches, already signed an,
sealed, in one of which he gives report of tn
action of the evening" stating that he had beat
en- and put the enemy to shameful flight AM
that in consequence he had conferred promo
tons on the generals, chiefs and officers
Early the next morning presented mysel
again in the same camp, reinforced by a bri
gade which had drawn from the capital an
with the intention of forcing the pass at an,
cost; but when was about to commence tn
enemy made his attack which lasted ten min
utes, and witnessed, overwhelmed with des
pair, the defeat of those soldiers worthy of
better fate, because the general who unfortu
nately commanded them had cut himself of
The consequences of this success appeared tel
rible to my sight. The enemy could arrive
rapid move at the capital before it would