some 2,000 convicts, liberated the night before by the flying government—joined by, perhaps, as many more soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted for more than twenty four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, including several officers, killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants.
BATTLE OF HUAMANTLA
After the brilliant achievements of the American forces in and around the city of Mexico, there was little to do excepting to clear the great thoroughfares of the multitudes of guerillas that infested them. Some sharp engagements occurred between Mexico and Vera Cruz before these bodies of robbers could be dispersed. One of these battles took place at the town of Huamantla.
Gen. Lane having arrived at Perote, early in October, was there joined by Capt. Walker and his command; both advanced together on the Puebla road till they reached the town of Dreyes, at which place Capt. Walker, by order of the commanding General, took up his line of march to Huamantla, by way of the town of San Francisco and Guapastla. On his arrival at Huamantla, a sanguinary engagement took place in the streets, between the force of Capt. Walker, consisting of 250 men, and that of the Mexicans numbering 1,600.
The result of this contest was the total expulsion of the enemy from the town, and its occupation by our valiant lit-
