the adjoining Costa Chica, where he occupied Jamiltepee, Amusgos, and other places.[1] The Mizteca region alone remained true to the revolutionists, who found succor in its valleys and shelter in its labyrinth of fastnesses. Against them Álvarez now exerted himself. His lieutenant, Obeso, penetrated to Tlajiaco toward the end of April, and defeated the leader Herrera; but reënforced by Sesma, the latter gathered his men again on an adjoining hill, and inflicted, mainly with the aid of stones and bowlders, so severe a check upon the royalists that the spot became celebrated as the Cerro Encantado.[2] Eager to avenge the disaster, Álvarez marched against them in person with a large force, and laid siege to Silacayoapan at the close of July; but was effectually repulsed, notably through a brilliant charge by Teran,[3] whereupon he retired to Teposcolula, to remain in observation and guard the route for convoys from Mexico.
The centre of revolutionary operations had now shifted to Puebla and Vera Cruz, attracted partly by the resources of the tierras templada and caliente, and the rich prizes held out by the traffic between the gulf port and the capital, and partly by the strategic positions offered by the east range of the Sierra Madre, which stretches along the border between the two provinces and sends its branches into the central pla-
- ↑ Carriedo assumes that Reguera had 500 men before the occupation of Amusgos. Estud. Oaj., ii. 30. Dambrini's force included 100 Omoa negroes. Bustamante dwells on his cruelty springing from a revengeful spirit. His negroes were taken by Álvarez for a guard. Cuad. Hist., iii. 38-9. Reguera figures as commander of the fifth division of south coast militia, assisted by Captain Arrazola and Cura Herrera of Jamiltepec.
- ↑ Enchanted hill. This action took place April 29th, with a loss to the assailants of 19 dead and over 200 wounded. Bustamante states that Sesma came up to aid the Americans. Cuad., iii. 287-9. Royalist accounts allude only to the previous victory, at Cerro del Coyote close to Tlajiaco, over 500 men, of whom they killed 93 and captured 13. Gaz. de Mex., 1814, v. 538-9. Carriedo, Estud. Oaj., ii. 30-1, reduces Herrera's force to 100.
- ↑ Who captured part of his artillery. Bustamante, Cuad., iii. 289-91. After the fight at Cerro Encantado, Sesma, who had been appointed by Rosains, arrested Herrera, who claimed authority under Rayon. Teran now came up and reconciled and joined them. Mier y Teran, Manif., 8-9. He was made a colonel for his achievement. Álvarez abandoned the siege August 19th. Negrete, Mex. Sigh XIX., vi. 433-7.
