CHAPTER IX.
THE ROYALISTS RECAPTURE GUANAJUATO.
1810.
Allende Returns to Guanajuato — Preparations for Defence — The First Attack — Calleja's Plan — He Takes Allende's Batteries — Calleja, the Avenger — His Proclamation — An Execution Scene in the Alhóndiga — A General Pardon Extended — The Government Reorganized — Calleja Marches for Guadalajara — Hidalgo at Valladolid — And at the Cerro del Molcajete — Hidalgo's Reception at Guadalajara — Establishes a Government — Rayon's Biography — Letona's Mission and Death — The 'Dispertador Americano' and Printing-press — Preparations for War.
When Allende arrived at Celaya he found there a body of two thousand insurgent horsemen under Toribio Huidrobo, and about thirty dragoons of the regiment of la Reina. These troops were almost destitute of arms; but the importance of defending Guanajuato was so great that, uniting them with his other forces, he hastened thither. He took with him eight pieces of artillery; and as a number of cannon had been cast in the mean time, he hoped, by erecting batteries in commanding positions, to frustrate any attempt upon the city by Calleja, who would doubtless make its capture his first object. Allende, with all the forces he could muster, entered Guanajuato on the evening of the 13th of November, accompanied by the principal leaders, who preferred to follow his fortunes rather than cast their lot with Hidalgo, whose popularity with them was diminishing daily.[1] His
- ↑ Those who accompanied Allende were Juan and Ignacio Aldama, Mariano Jimenez, Joaquín Arias, Mariano Abasolo, and Juan Ocon. Liceaga,
