that neighborhood, as Diaz' army, owing to his laborious march, was greatly reduced in numbers. But the latter evaded him, and hastened to Huamantla in order to unite his forces with those of Gonzalez, Mendez, Carrillo, and other leaders who had taken up positions in the adjacent sierras. Alatorre gave chase, and Diaz took up a position at Tecoac, to the north of Huamantla. On the evening of November 15th, the opposing armies bivouacked almost within cannon-range of each other; and on the following morning, Alatorre, believing the forces in front of him were the same which he had seen on the previous evening, attacked with great confidence.[1] But the revolutionary leaders stationed in the sierras, with the exception of Gonzalez, had joined Diaz during the night, and greatly increased his strength. The battle was sanguinary, and was maintained for several hours. Diaz was on the point of defeat when the opportune arrival of Gonzalez, who unexpectedly fell on Alatorre's right flank, decided the day.[2] The rout of the Lerdistas, or reëlectionists, as they were called, was crushing. Many died on the field, and 3,000 prisoners were taken; while all their artillery, baggage, and war material fell into the hands of the victors.[3]
When the news of this disaster reached the capital, panic seized the government. The members were not sufficiently of accord to devise any scheme in the emergency, various plans being discussed only to be rejected. Finally, it was decided to leave the capital; and on the night of the 20th, Lerdo, accompanied by Escobedo, Baz, Francisco Mejía, and Romero Rubio,
- ↑ Diaz states that he had only 1,360 men when Alatorre pursued him. Datos Biog., MS., 385.
- ↑ Alatorre's surprise was complete. He believed that the approaching troops of Gonzalez were a reënforcement coming to his assistance, having previously ordered up 3,000 more men. Voz de Méj., Nov. 24, 1876.
- ↑ It is stated that of Alatorre's army, 1,900 were killed and 800 wounded. Among the prisoners, numbering 1,564, was Gen. Topete. The revolutionists lost 857 killed and 656 wounded, among the latter being Gonzalez. These figures are doubtless greatly exaggerated. Diaz states that 3,000 prisoners were taken, but says nothing about the number of killed and wounded. Datos Biog., MS., 388.
