History of Central America, Volume 3, 1801-1887: The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 8Bancroft, Hubert Howe
History
History of Central America, Volume 3, 1801-1887: The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 8
Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Central America -- History
Cerna reached Chimaltenango, and thought of fortifying himself there.
With reënforcements received from the capital he now had 2,100 men. The
insurgent army, though increased in Los Altos, was only 1,200 strong;
but it was flushed with victory, and counted on the superiority of
its Remington and Winchester rifles. García Granados resolved not to
attack Cerna in Chimaltenango, but to march by way of San Andrés Itzapa
to La Antigua, and occupy the heights of Santa Lucía, thus menacing
the capital.[XX-29] On reaching Chicoj he heard that Cerna was at La
Antigua. Changing his plans, he marched to Chimaltenango, and thence to
Santiago, a town six leagues from Guatemala, where he spent the night.
In Zumpango he was advised of the occupation of Amatitlan by Solares,
whom he at once directed to harass Cerna on his march to the capital.
Granados' intent was to meet Cerna on the Mixco road; and to this end
early on the 29th of June repaired to San Lúcas, to ascertain with
certainty the time when Cerna would pass through Rancho de San Lúcas
toward Bárcenas. He occupied that town, and after a consultation with
his second in command, Barrios, went with a body of cavalry to the
Mixco heights, where he presently heard shots from the direction of
San Lúcas. Cerna had made ready for the struggle. Barrios saw victory
on the San Lúcas hill; and without waiting the return of his chief,
directed Julio García Granados with 800 men to support his front,
and rapidly marched with 400, and occupied the hill, thus winning
the day. Cerna's troops, finding their retreat cut off, disbanded by
hundreds, and by nightfall the number of prisoners and deserters, most
of the latter with their arms, exceeded 1,000.[XX-30] The victory was
complete; for of Cerna's 2,400 men—he had lately received 400—scarcely
30 entered the capital that day.[XX-31]
The provisional president passed the night in Bárcenas, and the next
morning after the civil authorities of Guatemala had met him outside
and quietly delivered the keys of the city together with the castle
and barracks, he, accompanied by Barrios, the other leading officers,
and the troops, marched into the capital amid the most enthusiastic
plaudits.[XX-32] With the exception of a few hostile cries against
Cerna, Bolaños, the comandante general, and others, perfect order
prevailed; no acts of violence or retaliation were permitted.[XX-33]
The task of reorganizing public affairs was an arduous one.[XX-34] The
first attempt to appoint a cabinet was unsuccessful. Persons who were
tendered portfolios declined them. However, Felipe Galvez, who had
been secretary-general during the campaign, became minister of foreign
affairs, public instruction, and ad interim of hacienda; and Arcadio
Estrada, minister of government, justice, and ecclesiastical affairs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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