The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-06


it was deemed expcdient to husband all
available resources, so the execution was
deferred. The commaudant, putting use
less muskets in the hands Of Ellis and
others, set them to guard section Of the
bcleaguercd walls not then threatened by the
brsiegcrs. The opportunity so long prayed
for by Ellis had come at last, in a way he
little expected; so organising his small band
Of prisoners, he broke through the walls,
passed out at midnight, joined the patriots,
made known the weakness of the garrison,
and proposed plan for capturing the Tor.
tress. His bearing and boldness attracted
the notice of Morales, who ca erly lsteuc d
and, dceming the time auspicious for an
assault, put Ellis at the head Of storming
party. Before daybrcak the cheers Of the
patriotsannouncedt the ullofAcapulco Thus
the newly made colonel before sunrise had
the pleasure Of seeing the tr color Of the
rcyolutionsts wave umphautly over the
Spanish stronghold.
OF the events which had happened in the
country Ellis was wholly ignorant 40
news had been allowed to reach him ia his
prison, and Until this night he knew moth.
ing Of the revolution which was sweeping
like tempest over the land. IIe was sur.
! prised at its extent, and entered heartily
into the plans Of its leaders. IIidalro, the
patriot priest, the genius Of the revolt, had
been driven northward, was shot, and his
uudiscipiued followers scattered like leaves
by the royal troops. This pioneer martyr
to liberty in Mexico was succeeded by Nor.
ales-not better man but an ADLER leader
who gathered an army, fought up and
down the country, pursuing and pursued
defeated one day, victorious the next, un .
til he had trayersed almost every province
in tho yiceroyally of New Spain.
The single service rendered the patriot
cause by Ellis assured his rapid promotion,
and before the expiration Of the year hc
held the second position nthereyolulionary
army. He took part in all the important
engagements after the fall of Acapulco.
He led all the tor.orn hopes, and in person
~',",. .1''''' ''s car l''U III le'''"'S' he
exhibited unusual military ability and a
wonderful capacity to organise the disog gdcrly
""u 's"oF"nI masses oil recruits.
Some time during the war Ellis was sent
by the revoutlonists as Envoy Extraordi.
nary to WASHINGTON In on lisl T,r tI,,;- ,,,,s d,
the sympathy, and, if possible, the ussis.
tancc ol the Government of the United
States. He had now become identified
with the cause Of the patriots, and was in.
deed thoroughly Mexicauised. His rceep.
ton at Washington was not at all encour-
! aging but he never published the cause OF
his failure, nor do the records at the capital,
except in brief, refer to the action of the
envoy. Disappointed and disguised. he
left Washington, going overland to New
Orleans where he had left young Almonte
to be educated. Almoute was the illcsiti.
mate son Of General Morales, and figured
IN most of the prominent political events
Of Mexico down to the fall of the Empire
! Of Maximilian. At New Orleans he wa,
apprlsci Of the complete overthrow Of the
reyoutionis,s and the exception Of Morales
! 10y the spanish authorities lie did then
what few men would have done: he i'm
medmieIy embarked for Vera Cruz. Once
IN Mexico, he en- gagged zealously in plots
and revolts against the existing govern.
ment, But the spirit of the patriots, after
SO long struggle, vas broken. The mas.
scs were ready again to bow their heads
and submit their ncckc to the yoke of the
cong error.
In the meantime Ellis was oatlawed and
proclaimed a traitor and price was set
upon hls head. lie might have escaped to
ms native land, but he would not He was
! the companion of Victoria while hiding
from the Spanish troops in the barrances
and mountains OF the State Of Vera Cruz
and alter several years of suffering and pri
'a'ion, he made bold push across the
country to the Pacific slope, where, joining
II body of patriots then gathered in the
mountains, he again publicly deied the
authority OF the Niceroy. Once he was
captured by the loyailsts aud sentenced to
be shot. These wreteael troops were
drawn up and ordered to fire upon tho
patriot General. Six balls struck Ellis in
the body but owing to the Indifferent
character fthe arms and ammunition used
only two of the balls penetrated the skin.
When the smoke dritted away the condemn
ed man stood unharmed Mexicans arc
superstitiousi and in the confusion Incl
dent to this miraculous escape. Ellis stem.