THE SUMMONS.
Europeans, accustomed to the gigantic wars of the Old World, in which
enormous masses of two to three hundred thousand men on both sides come
into collision on the battle field, where armies have divisions of
thirty or forty thousand men, a cavalry often of sixty to eighty
thousand sabres, and in which the guns are counted by hundreds, have a
difficulty in forming an idea of the way in which war is waged in
certain parts of America, as well as the component strength of the
armies of the New World.
In Mexico, a population of several millions can hardly collect ten
thousand men under arms, an enormous number in those countries. The
various republics which were formed on the dismemberment of the Spanish
colonies, such as Peru, Chile, New Granada, Bolivia, Paraguay, &c.,
cannot succeed in assembling more than two or three thousand men under
their banners, and that, too, with immense sacrifices; for these
countries, which, territorially speaking, are each far larger than
England, are nearly deserted, being incessantly decimated by civil war,
which gnaws at them like a hideous leprosy, and left almost
uninhabitable by the neglect of the various governments, which succeed
each other with a giddy and almost fabulous rapidity.
These governments, submitted to rather than accepted by these
unfortunate nations, although powerless for good, owing to their
precarious duration, are omnipotent for evil, and profit by it to
plunder the people, and load their creatures with riches, not troubling
themselves about the abyss they are opening beneath their feet, and
which, daily growing deeper, will eventually swallow up all these
accidental nationalities, which will be dead almost ere they are born,
and have only known liberty by name, though never in a position to
appreciate its blessings.
Texas, at the period when it claimed its independence, in a contest of
ten years, so obstinately, counted over its entire territory only a
population of six hundred thousand--a very weak and modest amount, when
compared with the seven million of the Mexican confederation. Still, as
we have remarked in a preceding chapter, the Texan population was
composed, in a great measure, of North Americans--energetic,
enterprising men, of known courage, who, annoyed by the long lasting
tyranny the Federal government exercised over them, through jealousy and
narrowness of views, had sworn to be free at any price, and took up arms
in order to guarantee the possession of their estates, and their
personal security.
The combat had been going on for ten years; at first timid and secret,
it had gradually widened, holding in check the Mexican power, and at
length attained that final and supreme period when the alternative is
victory or death.
The surprise of the conducta, so skilfully managed by the Jaguar, had
been the electric spark destined to definitively galvanize the country,
and make it rise as one man for this modern Thermopylae. The independent
chiefs, who were fighting all along the border, had, at the unexpected
news of the decisive success obtained by the Jaguar, assembled their
_cuadrillas_, and, by common agreement, and through an heroic impulse,
ranged themselves under the banners of the youthful chieftain, and
pledged him obedience, in order to carry through the liberation of their
country.
Thanks to the generous assistance on the part of all the Guerilla
leaders, the Jaguar suddenly found himself at the head of imposing
forces, that is to say, he collected an army of about eleven hundred
men. Our readers must not smile at the name of army given to what would
represent a regiment with us. Never before had Texas collected so many
fighting men under one Chief. And then, after all, everything is
relative in this world, and the greatest masses do not accomplish the
most brilliant exploits. Did we not see, a few years back, in Sonora,
the heroic and unfortunate Count de Raousset Bourbon, at the head of
only two hundred and fifty ragged Frenchmen, half dead with hunger and
fatigue, attack Hermosillo, a town of fifteen thousand souls, enclosed
with walls, and defended by twelve thousand regulars and six thousand
Indians, carry it _in an hour_, and enter it, sword in hand, at the head
of his soldiers, who did not themselves dare to believe in their
heroism?[1]
The Jaguar's army was composed of men hardened by lengthened fighting,
who burned to cope with the Mexicans, and who, before all, wished to be
free! No more was needed for them to accomplish miracles. The Jaguar was
thoroughly acquainted with the character of his soldiers; he knew that
he must only ask one thing of them--an impossibility--and this he had,
consequently, determined to attempt.
Through the wish of the new commander-in-chief, all the captains of
cuadrillas assembled in a council of war, in order to draw up a plan of
campaign. Each party gave his opinion. The debate was short, for all
entertained the same idea--and that was, to seize on the Larch-tree
hacienda, in order to cut off the communications of the Mexican army,
prevent it from receiving reinforcements from the other states of the
confederation; and, once masters of the fortress, to defeat in detail
the different Mexican detachments scattered over Texan territory. As
this plan was remarkably simple, the Jaguar resolved to carry it out
immediately. After leaving a detachment of five hundred horseman to
cover his rear, and avoid any surprise, he advanced with his main body
by forced marches on the Larch-tree, with the intention of investing and
carrying it by assault ere the Mexicans had found time to put a garrison
in it and throw up intrenchments.
Unfortunately, despite all the diligence the Jaguar had displayed in the
execution of his plan, the Mexicans, owing to the lengthened experience
and infallible glance of General Rubio, had been more prompt than he,
and the place had been in a perfect state of defence two days ere the
Texan army appeared at the foot of its walls.
This disappointment greatly annoyed the Jaguar, but did not discourage
him; he saw that he would have to lay siege to the Larch-tree, and
bravely made his preparations. The Americans dug up the soil with
wondrous rapidity, and a night was sufficient for them to finish the
preparatory works, and make breast-works and parapets. The Mexicans gave
no signs of life, and allowed the insurgents to establish themselves in
their lines without opposition; by sunrise all was finished.
It was a strange spectacle offered by this handful of men, who, without
artillery or siege material of any description, boldly traced lines
round a stoutly-built fortress, admirably situated for resistance, and
defended by a numerous garrison, which was determined not to surrender.
But what in this heroic madness produced admiration, and almost stupor,
was the conviction these men had that they would eventually take the
place. This persuasion, by doubling the strength of the insurgents,
rendered them capable of accomplishing the greatest things.
As they arrived after sunset, when the night had all but set in, the
Texans had formed an imperfect idea of the defensive state of the place
which they proposed to besiege; hence, when day broke, they eagerly
proceeded to see what enemy they would have to deal with. The surprise
was anything but agreeable to them, and they were compelled to confess
to themselves in their hearts that the job would be a tough one, and
that the intrenchments they proposed to carry had a formidable
appearance. This surprise was changed almost into discouragement when
the fortress haughtily hoisted the Mexican flag, saluting it with
several rounds of grapeshot, which fell into the centre of the camp, and
killed and wounded some fifteen men.
But this movement of weakness was but short; a reaction speedily took
place in these energetic men, and it was with hurrahs and shouts of joy
that they displayed the colours of Texan independence. For valid reasons
they did not accompany the hoisting of their flag by cannon shots, but
they saluted it with salvos of musquetry, whose well-sustained fire gave
back to the besieged the death they had scattered through the camp.
The Jaguar, after attentively examining the fortifications, resolved to
proceed according to rule, and summon the place to surrender before
beginning the siege seriously. Consequently, he hoisted a white flag on
the top of the entrenchments, and waited; a few moments later, a flag of
the same colour appeared on the breastwork thrown up outside the place.
The Jaguar, preceded by a trumpeter, followed by two or three officers,
left the camp and climbed up the hill on which the hacienda was
situated. A number of officers equal to his own had left the place and
advanced to meet him. On arriving at about an equal distance from the
two lines, the Jaguar halted, and in a few minutes the Mexican officers,
commanded by Don Felix Paz, joined him. After the usual compliments had
been exchanged with extreme politeness, the Major-domo asked--
"With whom have I the honour of speaking?"
"With the Commander-in-Chief of the Texan army," the Jaguar answered.
"We do not recognise any Texan army," the Major-domo said drily. "Texas
forms an integral portion of Mexico; her army, the only one she ought to
possess, is Mexican."
"If you do not know the one I have the honour of commanding," the Jaguar
said with a smile of superb irony, "ere long, please Heaven, it will
have made so much noise, that you will be compelled to recognise it."
"That is possible; but for the present we do not know it."
"Then, you do not wish to parley?"
"With whom?"
"Come, Caballero, suppose we are frank with one another--are you
willing?"
"I wish for nothing better."
"You know as well as I do that we are fighting for our independence."
"Very good. In that case you are insurgents?"
"Certainly, and feel proud of the title."
"Hum! We do not treat with insurgents, who are placed beyond the pale of
the law, and who, as such, cannot offer us any serious guarantee."
"Caballero," the Jaguar exclaimed with ill-disguised impatience, "I have
the honour of remarking that you insult me."
"I am very sorry for it; but what other answer than that can I give
you?"
There was a momentary silence; the vigorous resistance offered him made
the Jaguar feel seriously alarmed.
"Are you the Fort-Commandant?" he asked.
"No."
"Why did you come, then?"
"Because I was ordered to do so."
"Hum! And who is the Governor of the place?"
"A Colonel."
"Why did he not come in person to meet me?"
"Because he probably did not think it worth while to put himself out of
the way."
"Hum! That way of behaving seems to me rather lax, for war has laws
which every man is bound to follow."
"Maybe, but it is not war in this case, that must not be let out of
sight."
"What is it then, in your opinion?"
"Insurrection."
"Well, I wish to speak with your Commandant, for I can only treat with
him. Are you disposed to let me see him?"
"That does not depend on me, but on him."
"Very good. Can I trust to your delivering my message to him?"
"I do not see why I should not."
"Be kind enough, then, to return at once to him, and I will wait for you
here, unless you permit me to enter the fortress."
"That is impossible."
"As you please; I will, therefore, await your reply here."
"Very well."
The two men bowed courteously, and took leave of each other. Don Felix
Paz re-entered the fortress, while the Jaguar, sitting on the trunk of a
felled tree, examined with the greatest attention the fortifications of
the hacienda, the details of which he could easily survey from the spot
where he now was. The young man leaned his elbow on his knee, and let
his head rest on his hand; his eyes wandered over the surrounding
objects with an expression of indefinable melancholy; gradually a gloomy
sadness seized on his mind; while indulging in his thoughts, external
objects disappeared from his sight, and isolating himself completely, he
gave way to the flood of bitter recollections which rose from his heart
to his brain, and removed him from the preoccupations of his present
situation.
For a long time he had been plunged in this species of prostration, when
a friendly voice smote his ear. The Jaguar, suddenly drawn from his
reverie by the sound of a voice which he fancied he recognised, threw up
his head sharply, and gave a start of surprise on recognising Don Juan
Melendez de Gongora, for it was really the Colonel who was now
addressing him. The Texan Chief rose, and spoke to his officers.
"Back, Caballeros," he said; "this gentleman and myself have matters to
talk about which no one must hear."
The Texans withdrew out of earshot. The Colonel was alone, for on
recognising the Jaguar, he had ordered his escort to await him at the
base of the intrenchments.
"I meet you here again then, my friend," the Jaguar said sadly.
"Yes," the young officer answered; "fatality seems determined to keep us
in constant opposition."
"On examining the height and strength of your walls," the Independent
continued, "I had already recognized the difficulties of the task forced
on me; these difficulties have now grown almost into impossibilities."
"Alas, my friend, fate wills it so, we are forced to submit to its
caprices; and while in my heart deploring what takes place, I am yet
resolved to do my duty as a man of honour, and die in the breach, with
my breast turned toward you."
"I know it, brother, and cannot feel angry with you; for I too am
resolved to carry out the difficult task imposed on me."
"Such are the terrible exigencies of civil war, that the men most
inclined to esteem and love one another, are compelled to be foes."
"God and our country will judge us, friend, and our consciences will
absolve us; men are not combating, but principles fatally placed in
opposition."
"I was not aware that you were the Chief of the insurrectionary bands
that have invested the place, although a secret foreboding warned me of
your presence."
"That is strange," the Jaguar muttered, "for I also felt the foreboding
to which you allude; that is why I so strongly insisted on having an
interview with the Commandant of the hacienda."
"The same reason urged me, on the contrary, not to show myself; but I
thought I must yield to your entreaty, and hence here I am; I swear to
you that I should have wished to avoid this interview, which is so
painful to both of us, in consequence of our mutual feelings."
"It is better that it should have taken place; now that we have had a
frank explanation, we shall be better fitted to do our duty."
"You are right, friend; it is perhaps better that it should be so; let
me press your honest hand for the last time, and then each of us will
resume his part."
"Here is my hand, friend," the young Chief made answer.
The two men heartily shook hands, and then fell back a few paces, making
a signal to their respective escorts to rejoin them. When the officers
were ranged behind the Chiefs, the Jaguar ordered his bugler to sound
the summons; the latter obeyed, and the Mexican trumpet immediately
replied. The Jaguar then advanced two paces, and courteously took off
his hat to the Colonel.
"With whom have I the honour of speaking?" he asked.
"I am," the officer replied, returning the salute, "Colonel Don Juan
Melendez de Gongora, invested by General Don José Maria Rubio,
Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican forces in Texas, with the military
government of the Larch-tree hacienda, which present circumstances have
raised to the rank of a first class fortress; and who may you be,
Caballero?"
"I," the Jaguar answered, as he drew himself up, and placed his hat
again on his head, "am the Supreme Chief of the Confederated Army of
Texas."
"The men who take that name, and the person who commands them, can only
be regarded by me as traitors and fosterers of rebellion."
"We care little, Colonel, what name you give us, or the manner in which
you regard our acts. We have taken up arms to render our country
independent, and shall not lay them down till that noble task is
accomplished. These are the proposals I think it my duty to make you."
"I cannot and will not treat with rebels," the Colonel said, clearly and
distinctly.
"You will act as you please, Colonel; but humanity orders you to avoid
bloodshed, if possible, and your duty imperiously commands you to listen
to what I have to say to you."
"Be it so, Caballero, I will listen to you, and then will see what
answer I have to give you; but I must ask you to be brief."
The Jaguar leaned the point of his sabre on the ground, and giving a
clear and piercing glance at the Mexican staff, he continued, in a loud,
firm, and accentuated voice--
"I, the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberating Army of Texas, summon you,
a Colonel in the service of the Mexican Republic, whose sovereignty we
no longer recognise, to surrender to us this Larch-tree hacienda, of
which you entitle yourself the Governor, and which you hold without
right or reason. If, within twenty-four hours, the said hacienda is put
into our hands, with all it contains, guns, ammunition, material of war,
and otherwise, the garrison will quit the place with the honours of war,
under arms, with drums and fifes playing. Then, after laying down their
arms, the garrison will be free to retire to the interior of Texas,
after making oath that during a year and a day they will not serve in
Texas against the Liberating Army."
"Have you ended?" the Colonel asked, with ill-disguised impatience.
"Not yet," the Jaguar coldly answered.
"I must ask you to make haste."
On seeing these two men exchange savage glances, and placed in such a
hostile position face to face, no one would have supposed that they were
fond of each other, and groaned in their hearts at the painful part fate
compelled them to play against their will. The truth was, that in one
military fanaticism, in the other an ardent love of his country, had
imposed silence on every other feeling, and only permitted them to
listen to one, the most imperious of all--the sentiment of duty. The
Jaguar, perfectly calm and firm, continued in the same resolute accent--
"If, against my expectations, these conditions are refused, and the
place obstinately defends itself, the Army of Liberation will
immediately invest it, carry on the siege with all the vigour of which
it is capable, and when the hacienda is captured, it will undergo the
fate of towns taken by assault; the garrison will be decimated, and
remain prisoners till the end of the war."
"Very good," the Colonel replied, ironically; "however harsh these
conditions may be, we prefer them to the former; and if the fate of
arms betray us, we will endure without complaint the law of the
conquerors."
The Jaguar bowed ceremoniously.
"I have only to withdraw," he said.
"One moment," the Colonel said, "You have explained to me your
conditions, so it is now your turn to hear mine."
"What conditions can you have to offer us, since you refuse to
surrender?"
"You shall hear."
The Colonel looked round him with a glance of assurance; then, crossing
his arms on his chest, and drawing himself up with the air of sovereign
contempt for those who surrounded him, began speaking in a sharp and
sarcastic voice--
"I," he said, "Don Juan de Melendez de Gongora, Colonel in the service
of the Mexican Republic, considering that the majority of the
individuals assembled at this moment at the foot of my walls are poor,
ignorant men, whom bad example and bad counsel have led into a revolt,
which they detest in their hearts--for I know that the Mexican
Government has ever been just, kind, and paternal to them; considering,
moreover, that possibly the fear of the severe chastisement which they
have deserved by their culpable conduct keeps them, against their desire
and will, in the ranks of the rebels; employing the prerogative given me
by my title of governor of a first class fortress, and a field officer
in the Mexican army, I promise them, that if they immediately lay down
their arms, and, as a proof of sincere repentance, surrender to me the
Chiefs who deceived them and led them into revolt--I promise them, I
repeat, a complete pardon and oblivion of the faults they may have
committed up to today, but only on this condition. They have till sunset
of the present day to make their submission; when that period is passed,
they will be regarded as inveterate rebels, and treated as such---that
is to say, hanged without trial, after their identity has been proved,
and deprived in their last moments of the consolations of religion, as
being unworthy of them. As for the Chiefs, as traitors, they will be
shot in the back, and their bodies fastened by the feet on gibbets,
where they will remain as food for birds of prey, and serve as an
example to those who may venture in their track. Reflect, then, and
repent, for such are the sole conditions you will obtain of me. And now,
Caballeros," he said, turning to his officers, "we will return to the
fort, as we have nothing more to do here."
His hearers had listened with increasing surprise to this strange
address, uttered in a tone of sarcasm and haughty contempt, which had
filled the hearts of the Jaguar's comrades with gall, while the Mexican
officers looked at each other with a laugh. By a sign, the Jaguar
imposed silence on his comrades, and bowed respectfully to the Colonel.
"Your will be done," he said to him. "God will judge between us; the
bloodshed will fall on your head."
"I accept the responsibility," the Commandant remarked, disdainfully.
"Then, the words you have just uttered are serious?"
"They are."
"You are quite resolved on opposing us?"
"Of course."
"Your resolution will not change?"
"It is immovable."
"We will fight, then," the Jaguar exclaimed, enthusiastically. "_Viva la
patria, viva la Independencia!_"
This cry, repeated by his comrades, was heard in the camp, and taken up
with extraordinary enthusiasm by his comrades.
"_Viva Mejico!_" the Colonel said.
He then retired, followed by his officers. On his side, the Jaguar
returned to his camp, resolved to attempt a vigorous hand stroke on the
place. On both sides preparations were made for the implacable struggle
that was about to begin between members of the same family and children
of the same soil; a homicidal and fearful struggle, a hundredfold more
horrible than a foreign war!
[1] See the "Gold-Seekers," same publishers.