Álvarez was said to be intrenched in the hacienda of Providencia. Troops went from Oajaca to occupy Jamiltepec, and others from Mexico to strengthen the force marching on Acapulco under the orders of General Perez Palacios. The dictator's attention was by this time divided, the revolt having in March broken out in several parts of Michoacan,[1] by the invasions of Sonora by Raousset, and of Lower California by William Walker,[2] as well as by the incursions of savage Indians.[3]
Santa Anna concluded to assume in person command of the troops in the field, and started from Mexico on the 16th of March, accompanied by the secretary of war, Santiago Blanco, and preceded by the cazadores de los supremos poderes, leaving in charge of the minister of relations a sealed document, in which was designated his successor should he die during the campaign. The other ministers remained at the capital, transacting the ordinary affairs of government, and daily reported by special courier to the dictator. The minister of war in a circular apprised the country that his most serene highness would be
- ↑ A number of chiefs made themselves a national reputation by constantly harassing the government's troops. Among them were Faustino Villalva and his son Jesus, Epitacio Huerta, Manuel Pueblita, and others. The Villalvas with 1,300 soldiers were defeated on the Limon hill by Col Zuloaga, who for this victory was made a general. Santa Anna's officers showed no mercy to prisoners. Michoacan suffered terribly by the civil war, and by the havoc of cholera. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 486-526, passim; El Estandarte Nac., 1857, July 18; Correo de España, 1854, Nov. 29.
- ↑ See Hist. Cal., and Hist. North Mexican States, this series.
- ↑ The Lipans and other native nations made frequent raids for plunder, the frontier states being kept in constant fear. The inhabitants were ordered to arm and fight, and rewards were offered to such as rendered good service. Fortifications were also to be erected on the frontiers, but nothing of the kind was done. These troubles, as well as Indian insurrections in other parts of the republic, continued till the latter part of 1856. The war of races in Yucatan went on without any sign of coming to an end. Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1854, Jan.-Dec., 110-12; 1856, July-Dec., 132-4; Méx., Col. Ley., Dec. y órd., vi. 135-6, vii. 84-5, 151; Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., ii. 358-61; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., vii. 62-3, 295; Méx., Informe Com. Pesquisidora, 1874, 122-6; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xiv. 308-12. Among the outrageous acts of Santa Anna's rule was that of permitting natives of Yucatan, who had been made prisoners or kidnapped, to be taken to Cuba as coolies; though he later modified his order and had prisoners transferred to other parts of the country. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 457, 462. 'La venta de los indigenas de Yucatan.' Villa-Amor, Biog. Gen. Santa Anna, 34.
