Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/170

134 MEXICO. Calderon, (about sixteen leagues from Guadalajara,) was fortified, and the Mexicans awaited there the approach of the Royalist army. Calleja, after having passed nearly six weeks in Guanax- uato, began his march towards the North ; and on the 16th of January, 1811, the two armies were, once more, in sight. On the 17th, a general action took place, the event of which completely justified Allende's predictions. After some par- tial successes, on the part of the Mexicans, who repulsed two or three attacks, in one of which the Conde de la Cadena (Callejas second in command) was killed; the explosion of an ammunition-waggon threw their ranks into confusion ; but, as they had fought better, so they lost fewer men than at Aculco. Hidalgo and AUende effected an orderly retreat, in the direction of the Provincias Internas. Ray5n returned to Guadalajara, to carry off the military chest, which contained 300,000 dollars. This he effected, as Calleja, satisfied with his victory, did not attempt to pursue the Insurgents, or even to enter Guadalaxara, until four days after the battle. It is from the bridge of Calderon, where this action was fought, that he takes the title of Conde de Calderon ; under which, in the year 1820, in Spain, he was surprised and made prisoner by Riego, in the midst of the army which he was destined to lead to Mexico, in order to terminate the work, which he had commenced ten years before. The Insurgent Chiefs arrived in safety at Saltillo, with about 4000 men. There it was determined that Rayon should be left in command of the troops, while Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, and Abasolo, pushed on, with an escort, for the frontiers of the United States, where they intended to purchase arms and military stores, with a part of the treasure which they had saved. They were surprised, on the road, by the treachery of a former associate, Don Ignacio Elizondo, who, having declared, at first, for the Revolution, was anxious to make his peace with the Government, by so valuable a