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appzed me that an action had commenced Although weigh
ed down with the presentment OF what TO follow, in
santy placed myself at the head of splendid brigade of
thousand and five pieces of artillery. arrived at the
when the enemy had cut off the of the position
of the ated General by considerable force whose opera


tons then hardly able to check, for nearly
night.


But observed, with the greatest grief that the position
in question isolated that large avine nteyened and


neighborng wood occupied by the enemy the troops
under my immediate command could advance by the only
road which existed without being exposed the fate
the others and single battery which arrived lae my
only Of attack The firing having ceased our brigade
took their quarters in the Of San Angel for the rain
tell in torrents and keep the troops the field would have
been equivalent TO their being routed.


Previous to this ordered that my aid-de-camp, Colonel
Raniro should taking guide the deputy Don Jose Maria
del o who was acquainted with the ground proceed to the
head OF the terrible ravne in front of and along the skirt
OF distant hill and, making all haste the camp Of the
arefeed to- order him to retire that night without fail
with his infantry and cavalry to San Angel by the only road
which was left him, first spking his cannon il already
impossible them. This my aid accomplished and
munlcaed my order between 10 and at night but instead
OF Puncualy obeyng the oder the General hardly suffered
my aid TO speak, lneuping him by saying that what he want
ed was six thousand and munitions and him of
after giving him two official letters which he had signed and
sealed one OF them containing report of the action Of the
evening, in which he stated that he had beaten the enemy
and put him TO shameful flight and that he had in conse-
quence granted promotions TO the generals field officers and
others.


The following day, dawn repaired again the same
reinforced which had brought


from the capital and determined to effect the passage any
cost but began move the enemy made his
attack which lasted about ten minutes, and witnessed,
the midst Of despair the rout of those troops worthy of
ter fate, and unfortunately commanded by General who
himself the cause of their being cut off.


The consequences of this affair were in my view terrible
The could by rapid movement the capital
fore itwould be possible for he could by


flank movement cut off my detached forces he had obtained
the result of his victory the power Of falling with the main
body of his troops upon part of mine the enemy, in ne
through the unskfuness and insubordnaon of General,
converted to his benefit all the advantages of my situation


The advanced fort of San Antonio could not sustain itself
for line had been ntersece and ordered its garrison
retire. while covered the fort and tete de ont of Churubus
co. The enemy advanced cutting off portion of the troops
they retrng and presented himself in front of
nearest deences. there placed myself again in front of
soldiers, and efforts cost the enemy not little boodshed
The losses which ensued although amentabe, the
tural result OF the retreat which sudden unexpected,
and embarrassed by the ain marching along
way fanked throughout its whole The defence


from line TO line, until the third reached where person
ally opposed the enemy and saved the capital which
suddenly placed in danger. While was engaged, the
2zd in recognizing the forces and covering the batteries and
again in person the head of column, which would have
continued the defence the last extremity, received
muncation from the enemys Generalin-Chef proposing to
me TO conclude armistce which would afford time to
slider the propositions which may be made by the Commits
sioner OF the United States for ending the struggle between
the two nations consented to the amisce and, after
sung the Ministers in Cabinet have determined that the
propositions referred shall be taken into consideration


The suspension Of hosites is always good hing be-
is always evil and much So after great
combinations have been frustrated To the capital from
the horrors of war; at least defer them, consideration
which could not overlook, particularly when viewed
as means OF arriving at an honorable peace.


When two nations find themselves in state of they
have the reciprocal right to make propositions and this pre-
supposcs duty to listen to propositions perpetual is
an absurdity, because calamity and the nstAct Of self
preservation, which is stronger and powerful in
nations than in individuals, counses that shall be
dlsregaded which may lead TO advantageous adjustment
The constitution gives me full authority adopt this


Devoted to interests great and of such pre- eminent i'm
porance, must maintain at all risks the respect and
deraton due TO the supreme authority which exercisenow
especially when, factions beset and haras the Govern
ment they will deprive il of the power of deberaing and


will become contemplate in the presence Of the enemies Of
the nation will be still more explcit-commoon and
dition shall be exempary punished.


have preserved considerable body of troops and the
ton will support me in maintaining its honor and vndcang
its reputation. consider myself free II had just
tanned signal victory, and there is fear that shall be i'm
posed by the enenys negotato when his troops and
cannon have failed TO alarm We shall adjust dIe
rences provided honor above all, is saved and shall
the combat if the sword is thrust between justice
and an acknowledgment Of the rights of the nation.


ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.


Mexico, AususT %, ls4s.