55
clare that the complete rout of Valencia in the hills of Contreras, was owing to his being completely abandoned.—Amongst the dead are named Don Sebastian Blanco and Frontera. In a little time we shall learn how many lives have been sacrificed by treason or ignorance.
7 o'clock—At this moment various bodies of troops are entering, who cannot be distinguished for want of light. It appears that they are all concentrating in the city. It is said that there are yet 15,000. But for what will they serve? Their spirits are broken, and there is a universal want of confidence; and in this state of things even if there were 200,000 it would be all the same. The seal has been set to our ignominy. The Nationals [Polkas] are leaving the ranks and returning to their homes.
Saturday, August 21, 6 o'clock, A. M. A short time since Santa Anna was seen marching for the gate of Candelaria with some 3000 infantry, all full of mud and bare footed, and some 800 cavalry, have marched for the gate of San Lazaro, which seems to indicate that we shall shortly have an action.
2 P. M. The troops that marched this morning, took up their positions at the gates. Nothing has yet occurred whatever—the public talk is past bearing—nothing is known with certainty. What seems most certain is, that a commission, consisting of Mora Villamil, Arranguiz and Mcintosh, have gone to Scott. No one doubts now that peace will be made. The troops are all broken spirited, and yesterday they were so frightened, cowed, that from Churubusco the division of Perez, including himself, went as far as the Penon. If I had not received this from persons of veracity, I could not have believed it, but this explains why they were so covered with mud this morning.
It is said, everywhere that Santa Anna has committed treason—that the division of Valencia, and especially his infantry, fought well with the main body of the Yankees, and that if Santa Anna had assisted them, they would have triumphed; but that instead of so doing, he retired from the field, and looked in cold blood upon the destruction of the flower of the army! But why should I tire myself with repeating this to you? You know it better than I do, as I am told Valencia has gone with Olaguibel.
5, P. M. At four o'clock all the troops returned to their barracks, and at once I inferred that negociations were on foot. 1 went out to enquire, and Don J. N. told me, referring to Arranguiz, that there was an armistice concluded, but for what time was not known. We made enquires: some said for 24, others 48 hours. A strange circumstance relating to this, is,
