and preparations were made to obstruct their advance by Governor Trias, and General José Heredia, the commandant general of the district.[1] At a meeting of the legislature of the department, the governor presiding, it was decided that when Doniphan's men should be taken, they were to be stripped of their money and arms, and sent on foot to the city of Mexico; and a quantity of cord was cut in suitable lengths for tying the prisoners, which was afterwards captured at the battle of Sacramento. General Heredia, with Generals Justiniani, Garcia Conde, and Ugarté and Governor Trias, who acted as a brigadier general, advanced to the pass of Sacramento about the middle of February, with near 4,000 troops, regulars and militia, ten pieces of field artillery, and six culverins, or rampart pieces.[2] The position was skilfully and strongly fortified, under the direction of General Conde, who was afterwards detached with 800 cavalry to observe the Americans, and on the approach of Colonel Doniphan fell back to the main body.
The road from Sauz to the rancho of Sacramento, in front of which the enemy had fortified themselves, follows the course of an open level valley, bounded on either side by ranges of sterile Mountains. About sever:
- ↑ General Cuilte was posted at San Rosalia, in December 1846, to intercept General Wool; but the post was abandoned when it was ascertained that he had taken another route.
- ↑ According to General Heredia's official report. dated March 2nd, 1847, he had but 1,575 men, and ten pieces of artillery. In this estimate he could not have included all the militia and rancheros who were present at the battle, and the Americans certainly captured more than that number of guns, including the culverins. Colonel Doniphan. in his report, dated March 4th, says that "the force of the enemy was 1,200 cavalry from Durango and Chihuahua, with the Vera Cruz dragoons, 1,200 infantry from Chihuahua, 300 artillerists, and 1,420 rancheros, badly armed with lassoes, lances, and machetoes, or corn knives."
