The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-12-20


IDLY the conflicting cries of despair or
the joyous shouts Of the indictments
within its gates, only too glad of a
deliverer so near at hand. The City
of Mexico swarmed with his country
men, cherishing the same grievances
and as unsubdued as himself. 1t could
be his on the morrow for the taking
were he only to give the word to his
sons Of the Sierra to swoop down upon
it. A council of war assembled, and
to the astonishment of all, Hidalgo
alone insisted on retreating. His
faithful Allende, whom he first won
over to his aid, encouraged by others,
wept and protested against the resolu-
ton OF their chief But to no purpose,
for on the following day was seen the
spectacle Of a conquering army, with
its long coveted prize begging to be
plucked, disdaintully turned away from
and marched on the line of retreat. A
new general, Felix Maria Celleia, was
now placed at the head of the vice
royal forces, whose name for cruelty
and rapacity will live in infamy forever.
At Alcuco he came up with the army
OF Hidalgo, and the engagement began.
The Indians fought with their usual
bravery, but were defeated and put to
rout. And after this hard-fought bat
tie between brave men, Gen. Caleja
had the pitiless, shameless hardihood
to put 5000 prisoners to the sword,
and then glorify the outrage by re-
port Of it under his own hand.
Rereating was now in order for the
insurgents. Alcuco was the first check
met with, and it was destined to be
the beginning Of a long and unbroken
series of disasters for the adherents of
Hidalgo. Guanajuato, the most i'm
portant prize held by the insurgents
was placed in command of Allende,
while Hidalgo fell back on the popul-
GUS city of Guadalajarra. Meanwhile
the brutal Calleja, flushed with victory,
lost no time in following the now dis
heartened soldiers of Allende, and ere
he can take refuge in Guanajuato he
falls suddenly upon him by forced
marches, and amid fearful carnage
Allende was defeated at Marfil Here
Calleja, true to his bloodthirsty in
stncts and character, butchered a.
900 men, women and children in the
great square of the city, till the very
fountains and cutters ran red with
gore.
THE FINAL OVERTHROW.
A junction of the forces of Hidalgo
and Allende was soon effected at Quad
alajara. The city was vigorously placed
in state of defense; Notifications were
thrown up, and cannon placed in po-
sition which had been dragged over
the mountains by his faithful Indians
from San Bias, distance of almost
800 miles. But all these preparations
were of no avail, for Hidalgo was
forced TO raise the siege in a few days
only, after desperate engagement, to
be again routed on March II, 1871, at
the now historic bridge of Calderon.
This was the last battle of the war
Hidalgo's army had melted away al
most with the same celebrity as it had
been formed, so that on reaching Sal
tillo only 1000 men were found in the
ranks. Here it was resolved to trans
fer the command Of this Spartan band
to General Rayon, while Allende, Hid
algo and others with the millions of
treasure reserved from the sack Of
Guanajuato, proceed to the United
States and purchase arms for a contin-
uance of the struggle. But as it would
be phenomenon in Mexican politics
for any considerable uprising of the
people to struggle without evoking
treachery from within its ranks, so base
perfdy in the military family of Hidal-
go ingloriously drew to a disastrous
close this first war for Mexican indie
pendence. 1t was his fate, while
stealthily fleeing from his lands OPP
pressors, to be surrendered up at AGA
tia de Bajan, March FL, 1871. The
infamous traitor, who received hi:
Judas pieces for this baseness, was
Ignacio Elizonda, one of Hidalgo':
most trusted associates.
uEpOtC m ATrI