order to retard Calleja, he left Rosales in the city, with instructions to hold out to the last extremity, and then effect his retreat by way of Jerez. On the night of the 1st of May Calleja, who had advanced to Ojocaliente, received information of Rayon's retreat, and immediately despatched Colonel Empáran with a strong division and six cannon to intercept him. On the 3d of May Calleja entered Zacatecas without opposition, Rosales having availed himself of the benefit of the pardon which was granted at his request to him and his troops.[1]
Meantime Empáran marched with great rapidity in pursuit of Rayon, and on the same day on which Calleja entered Zacatecas overtook him at the hacienda de Maguey. The engagement which followed was most disastrous to the revolutionists. Though occupying a strong position on the adjacent ridge, they were routed on all sides, the artillery of the enemy opening upon them with telling precision. Rayon's troops were dispersed, his demoralized officers carrying off a great part of the treasure.[2] Twenty pieces of artillery, and a quantity of muskets and am munition, fell into the hands of the victors.[3] More than 100 prisoners were captured, all of whom Empáran released except five, who were executed.[4]
After this defeat Rayon, still maintaining his inten-
- ↑ Parte de Calleja, in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., iii. 282; Gaz. de Mex., 1811, ii. 424-5. Calleja, however, caused 13 of the insurgents to be shot. Bustamante, Caud. Hist., i. 216.
- ↑ Empáran gives an exaggerated account of the number slain: 'Se vieron,' the insurgents, 'precisados á ceder el Campo con mil y ochocientos á dos mil Cadáberes.' Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., iii. 283. Alaman, who received his information from the lieutenant-colonel, José María Bustarnante, attached to the artillery of the revolutionists, states that the ammunition wagons being cased with tin, the glitter afforded an excellent mark for the enemy's gunners. One of the wagons struck by a shot caused great disorder. Hist. Mej., ii. 269. Negrete adds that the shot caused the explosion of the ammunition. Mex. Sig. XIX., iv. 51.
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., 1811, ii. 471-2. The ammunition was of such inferior quality that the greater portion of it was useless. This explains the insignificant loss sustained by the royalists, who had only four wounded. Ib. Bustamante's account intimates that Rayon only made a show of resistance in order to secure the retreat of his main body. Cuad. Hist., i. 214. This version, in view of the disastrous result, is not credible.
- ↑ Id., Campañas de Calleja, 112-13.
