184
HIDALGO'S MARCH TOWARD THE CAPITAL.
of two companies of the Tres Villas regiment, and followed by the remainder of his forces in closed columns, successfully fought his way way out, and arrived at Cuajimalpa with some little loss. Here he was compelled to make a stand in order to repel a body of cavalry which was harassing his march and tampering with his men. This effected, with the loss of some killed on the part of the insurgents, he pursued his way unmolested to Santa Fé, where he took up quarters for the night, and on the following day entered the capital.[1] Then, having no one to dispute him, he made his defeat appear a victory; and a medal was struck off in commemoration of his glorious achievements, and the success of the royal arms.[2]
- ↑ Bustamante states that Trujillo's retreat was conducted in the greatest disorder as far as Cuajimalpa, and that thence 'escapó como pudo en dispersion para Mexico,' Cuad. Hist., 82; that Trujillo entered the capital with only 51 soldiers, 'resto único de toda la fuerza que sacó de esta capital;' and intimates that the regiment of Tres Villas had almost ceased to exist. Mora also asserts that the greater portion of the soldiers deserted on the retreat, so that when Trujillo left Santa Fé he had little over 40 men. Mej. y sus Rev., iv. 81. Now, although it is probable that some of his men deserted, since he himself mentions that attempts were made to seduce them from their allegiance while retreating, it is not possible that the retreat was conducted in disorder; had such been the case, none would have escaped, much less the wounded, who were brought to Mexico, as Alaman reasonably observes. But the author who advances the most incredible conjectures as to what was probably Trujillo's ability as commander and his deportment in the field is the licenciado Don Anastasio Zerecero. He gravely relates that Trujillo, after having given the order to fire upon those with whom he was holding parley, disappeared disguised, as it was said, in the habit of a friar and hastened to Santa Fé; and then, because Trujillo, in his report dated Nov. 6th.—that is, seven days after the battle—says that he cannot state the exact loss sustained, and because, moreover, he admits that he was the first to leave the field, Zerecero comes to the conclusion that everything tends to justify the opinion that Trujillo fled at the very first, and did not even see the battle, writing his official despatch from the account supplied him by Iturbide. The same author asserts that Trujillo had 3,000 troops, only 500 of which returned to Mexico. Mem. Rev. Mex., 86-7, 107-8. Guerra, Hist. Rev. N. Esp., 330, states that 200 royalists escaped to the capital. Though a coxcomb, a liar, and a villain, Trujillo was no coward on the field of battle. Negrete reasonably concludes that the viceroy and Trujillo were of accord that it would not be safe in the excited state of the community to publish at once the official account of the action, which had been reported as a victory; when, however, the insurgents had retreated, there was no danger in doing so. Hist. Mex. Sig. XIX., i. 361-2, 364.
- ↑ The medal was presented on the 3d of Feb., 1811, on which date the viceroy issued a proclamation in praise of the gallant conduct of the regiment of Tres Villas, and tells them to assume Monte de las Cruces! as their future battle-cry. 'Os remito,' he says, 'los escudos de distincion que merecisteis el dia 30 de octubre por vuestra brillante conducta en el monte de las Cruces . . . que el monte de las Cruces sea vuestro grito guerrero en el momento de
