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MEXICO. 141 the army which had triumphed over the first Insurgents at Aculco, and the bridge of CalderSn ; but, though flushed with new successes, Morelos determined to wait its approach. Cuautla AmTlpas, (about twenty-two leagues from Mexico,) was the place which he selected to make his stand. It was an entirely open town, nor did he attempt to supply the want of exterior fortifications, though he was indefatigable in his en- deavours to render the interior as strong as possible, by cut- ting trenches in the streets, walling up the doors, and lower windows of the houses, and breaking a communication within, so as to give his men every possible advantage. In this he was seconded by the activity of his Lieutenants, Bravo, Ga- leana, and the Cura Matamdros ; and such was the confi- dence with which they inspired their troops, that the approach of the Royal army was impatiently expected. As Calleja, whom we left in the North of the country, did not march from thence to Cuautla, without adding to the number of his successes over the Insurgents, it will be neces- sary, in order to avoid confusion, to trace his progress, before I give any account of the siege. From the moment of its establishment, the Junta of Zi- tacuaro was considered by the Spaniards as their most formi- dable enemy ; and Venegas, in December 1811, sent positive orders to Calleja, then at Acambaro, in the province of Mi- choacan, to march, with all his forces, against the town. Cal- leja obeyed ; and his army, sustained such hardships, and over- came such difficulties in crossing a country where roads were un- known, and where, at times, they were forced to cut their way through forests so thick, that it required the labour of twenty- four hours to enable them to advance a single league, that even their enemies speak of the undertaking with admiration. On the 1st of January, 1812, Calleja arrived before Zita- ciiaro ; and on the 2nd, he attacked, and carried the town by assault, which must have been badly defended, as, from the strength of its situation, it was capable of making considerable