Encouraged by the success of his former raid into Querétaro, the exultant Ramon Rayon proposed to surprise Jilotepec, the headquarters of Ordoñez' military section controlling the northern highway. Although inferior in strength, the latter was better protected than had been expected, and managed by a well calculated flank movement to overwhelm the left wing of the advancing forces. The disorder spread to the centre and right, and seemingly sure victory was turned into a disastrous rout, with the capture of over 100 fugitives, who were as usual executed, at the brink of one immense grave.[1] And so were lost at one blow the fruits of Ramon's brave defence. The fame of Cóporo diminished, and the convoy routes to Querétaro and Valladolid were quickly cleared of several imposing bands, including that of Mariscal Cañas, who was overtaken and killed.[2]
In Michoacan Aguirre's operations round Cóporo were supplemented by several others in the interior, notably under Claverino, who with nearly 500 men swept resistlessly southward into the Tiripitio region.[3] More important were the movements of Iturbide, who, ever intent on great deeds, undertook to surprise the insurgent congress, and this without imparting his plans to Llano, to whose field it pertained.[4] The preparations were made with all secrecy, and by forced marches Iturbide covered in four days the distance from Irapuato to Cínciro, not far from Ario, where the deputies then held forth in comparative confidence. He had proposed to fall upon the town before dawn
- ↑ This occurred on May 12th. Ramon narrowly escaped. Ordoñez places the insurgent force at 1,200 and the loss at 160 killed and 121 prisoners. Gaz. de Mex., 1815, vi. 522-4, copied in Torrente, while Bustamante reduces the force to 300 and the loss to 72 killed and 123 prisoners. Cuad. Hist., iii. 422-4. Ordoñez' total force did not exceed 300.
- ↑ The leader Gutierrez fell in June, near Nopala, and Concha in September destroyed the stronghold on Huatepec near Chapa de Mota, dispersing Vargas' followers. Gaz. de Mex., 1815, vi. 582-3, 655, 1007-9, 1168-9. The insurgent Enseña stands forward to retrieve some of the disasters in this region and to commend himself for exceptional leniency.
- ↑ The tour occupied six weeks in May and June, and included Uruapan and Pátzcuaro on the return. Hardly any resistance was met. Id., 761-71.
- ↑ Llano was furious, but Calleja had given his consent.
