more formidable opponent. Calleja was summoned to defend the Capital, with the army which had triumphed over the first Insurgents at Ăcūlcŏ, and the bridge of Căldĕrōn; but, though flushed with new successes, Morelos determined to wait its approach. Cūāūtlă Āmīlpăs, (about twenty-two leagues from Mexico,) was the place which he selected to make his stand. It was an entirely open town, nor did he attempt to supply the want of exterior fortifications, though he was indefatigable in his endeavours to render the interior as strong as possible, by cutting trenches in the streets, walling up the doors, and lower windows of the houses, and breaking a communication within, so as to give his men every possible advantage. In this he was seconded by the activity of his Lieutenants, Brāvŏ, Gălĕānă, and the Cura Mătămōrŏs; and such was the confidence with which they inspired their troops, that the approach of the Royal army was impatiently expected.
As Calleja, whom we left in the North of the country, did not march from thence to Cūāūtlă, without adding to the number of his successes over the Insurgents, it will be necessary, in order to avoid confusion, to trace his progress, before I give any account of the siege.
From the moment of its establishment, the Junta of Zitācŭarŏ was considered by the Spaniards as their most formidable enemy; and Venegas, in December 1811, sent positive orders to Calleja, then at
