where, took refuge in the rugged districts of Michoacan,[1] where even the insalubrity of the climate in a large portion of the province served as protection. Here they soon gathered strength, and finally, by the cooperation of their forces, found themselves in a position to assume the offensive. Rayon, therefore, formed his plans, in concert with the other leaders, for a combined attack on Valladolid, and on the 29th of May the heights adjacent to the city were occupied by large bodies of insurgents, whose numbers were estimated by Trujillo at seven or eight thousand.[2]
The besiegers without delay opened fire on the city with their artillery, which consisted of twenty-five pieces of different calibre. The effect, however, was insignificant, owing to the long range and poor gunnery. On the following day Antonio Linares, who had been sent from Guanajuato to the assistance of Trujillo, succeeded in entering the city before day light. The royalists now attacked the enemy and inflicted some loss, capturing two cannon and dislodging them from one of their positions. With this success Trujillo began preparations for a general assault, but the insurgent leaders, aware of the reënforcement, and disappointed at the absence of any demonstration in their favor on the part of the inhabitants, secretly retreated on the night of the 1st of June to Tacámbaro.[3]
In the mean time events of great moment, which will be narrated in the following chapter, had oc-
- ↑ Trujillo, in a letter to the viceroy dated June 2, 1811, reports 'la reunion de mas de doce cabecillas, que por haberlos echado de todas partes las armas del Rey se han refugiado á esta provincia al abrigo de sus montes y recursos. Gaz. de Mex., 1811, ii. 502.
- ↑ 'Su total muchos lo hacen subir á doce mil enemigos, pero yo creo no pasaba, de siete á ocho mil, sin que sea exágerado.' He also mentions the names of the chiefs opposed to him: el clérigo Navarrete and others of the religious order, and the captain-generals Muñiz, Torres, Rayon, Liceaga, Huidrobo, Salto, Carrasco, and Ramos, 'con otros de inferior jaez.' On their approach against the city the division under Torres was vigorously attacked, May 27th, by Captain Felipe Robledo, who after a contest of three hours was compelled to retreat with loss. Id., 499-506. In this engagement the left arm of Torres was shattered by a grape-shot. Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., i. 284.
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., 1811, ii. 500-6.
