Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/253

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CHAPTER X.

SPREAD OF THE REVOLUTION AND BATTLE OF CALDERON.

1810-1811.

Hermosillo's Operations in Sinaloa — Successes at Rosario — His Defeat at San Ignacio — Spread of the Revolution in Nuevo Santander — Coahuila and Nuevo Leon Revolt — Villagran's Doings — Biography of Cruz — Plan of Calleja — Tumult in Valladolid — Cruz Enters Valladolid — He Reorganizes the Government — Engagement at Urepetiro — Allende Joins Hidalgo at Guadalajara — A Council of War — Hidalgo Takes up a Position at the Bridge of Calderon — Plan of Battle-field — Calleja's Dispositions — Flon's Impetuosity — The Revolutionists Nearly Triumphant — Their Final Defeat — Death of Flon — His Character.

On receiving intelligence of the occupation of Guanajuato by Calleja, Venegas regarded the suppression of the insurrection as almost accomplished,[1] when in reality it was more widely spread than ever. We have seen how completely the provinces of Nueva Galicia, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí were now in the power of the independents; and it was not likely that they would relax their efforts at this juncture. An expedition into the provinces of Sinaloa and Sonora was planned by Gomez Portugal, and placed under the command of José María Gonzalez Hermosillo, accompanied by the dominican father, Francisco de la Parra, in the character of director and adviser.[2]

  1. In a letter to Calleja, dated Dec. 16, 1810, in reply to the brigadier's request that a medal might be presented to his soldiers, the viceroy, speaking of their toil, says: 'Contemplo próximo el fin y la coronacion do ellas, y en los pocos dias que probablemente se terminarán, se arreglarán con aquella detencion que hace apreciables los premios, los que deban concederse.' Bustamante, Quad. Hist., i. 118.
  2. Parra rendered the revolutionary cause great assistance. The charge of the printing-press was intrusted to him by Hidalgo, and its expenses were