Speaker 1: Chapter fifty one of Philip Drew, Administrator by Edward House.
Speaker 1: This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recorded by
Speaker 1: the Progressing America Project. Chapter fifty one the Battle of
Speaker 1: Latuna in the numbers engaged, in the duration, and in
Speaker 1: the loss of life. The Battle of Latuna was not important,
Speaker 1: but its effect upon Mexico and the Central American republics
Speaker 1: was epoch making. The manner of attack was characteristic of
Speaker 1: Drew's methods. His interview with the Mexican general had ended
Speaker 1: at noon, and words soon ran through the camp that
Speaker 1: peace negotiations had failed, with the result that the army
Speaker 1: was immediately on the alert and eager for action. Drew
Speaker 1: did not attempt to stop the rumor that the engagement
Speaker 1: would occur at dawn the next day. By dusk, every
Speaker 1: man was in readiness, but they did not have to
Speaker 1: wait until morning, for as soon as supper was eaten,
Speaker 1: to the surprise of everyone, word came to make ready
Speaker 1: for action and march upon the enemy. Of Drew's sixty
Speaker 1: thousand men twenty thousand were cavalry, and these he sent
Speaker 1: to attack the Mexican rear. They were ordered to move
Speaker 1: quietly so as to get as near to the enemy
Speaker 1: as possible before being discovered. It was not long before
Speaker 1: the Mexican outposts heard the marching of men and the
Speaker 1: rumble of gun carriages. This was reported to the Mexican general,
Speaker 1: and he rode rapidly to his front. A general engaged
Speaker 1: at nightfall was so unusual that he could not believe
Speaker 1: the movement meant anything more than General Drew's intention to
Speaker 1: draw nearer so that he could attack in the morning.
Speaker 1: At closer range. It was a clear, starlit night, and
Speaker 1: with the aid of his glasses he could see the
Speaker 1: dark line coming steadily on. He was almost in a
Speaker 1: state of panic when he realized that a general attack
Speaker 1: was intended. He rode back through his lines, giving orders
Speaker 1: in an excited and irregular way. There was hurry and
Speaker 1: confusion everywhere, and he found it difficult to get his
Speaker 1: soldiers to understand that a battle was imminent. Those in
Speaker 1: front were looking with a feeling akin to awe at
Speaker 1: the solid dark line that was ever coming nearer. The
Speaker 1: Mexicans soon began to fire from behind the breastworks that
Speaker 1: had been hastily erected during the few days the armies
Speaker 1: had been facing one another but the shots went wild,
Speaker 1: doing but slight damage in the American ranks. Then came
Speaker 1: the order from Drew to charge, and with it came
Speaker 1: the Yankee yell. It was indeed no battle at all.
Speaker 1: By the time the Americans reached the earthworks, the Mexicans
Speaker 1: were in flight, and when the cavalry began charging the rear,
Speaker 1: the route was completed. In the Battle of Latuna, the
Speaker 1: Mexican general proved himself worthy of his lineage. No general
Speaker 1: could have done more to rally his troops, or have
Speaker 1: been more indifferent to danger. He scorned to turn his
Speaker 1: back upon an enemy, and while trying to rally his
Speaker 1: scattered forces, he was captured and badly wounded. Every attention
Speaker 1: worthy his position was shown the wounded man, proud and
Speaker 1: chivalrous as any of his race. He was deeply humiliated
Speaker 1: at the miserable failure that had been made to repel
Speaker 1: the invaders of his country, though keenly touched by the
Speaker 1: consideration and courtesy shown him by the American general, Drew
Speaker 1: made no spectacular entrance into the city, but remained outside
Speaker 1: and sent one of his staff with a sufficient force
Speaker 1: to maintain order in unaddress, announcing his intentions towards Mexico
Speaker 1: and her allies, Drew said, it is not our purpose
Speaker 1: to annex your country or any part of it, nor
Speaker 1: shall we demand any indemnity as the result of victory
Speaker 1: further than the payment of the actual cost of the
Speaker 1: war and the maintenance of the American troops while order
Speaker 1: is being restored. But in the future, our flag is
Speaker 1: to be your flag, and you are to be directly
Speaker 1: under the protection of the United States. It is our
Speaker 1: purpose to give to your people the benefits of the
Speaker 1: most enlightened educational system, so that they may become fitted
Speaker 1: for the responsibilities of self government. There will also be
Speaker 1: an equitable plan worked out by which the land now
Speaker 1: owned by a few will be owned by the many.
Speaker 1: In another generation. This beautiful land will be teeming with
Speaker 1: an educated, prosperous, and contented people, who will regard the
Speaker 1: battle field of Latuna as the birthplace of their redemption.
Speaker 1: Above all things, there shall not be thrust upon the
Speaker 1: Mexican people a carpet bag government. Citizens of Mexico are
Speaker 1: to enforce the reconstructed constitution and laws, and maintain order
Speaker 1: with native troops, although under the protecting arm of the
Speaker 1: United States, all custom duties are to be abolished, excepting
Speaker 1: those uniform tariffs that the nations of the world have
Speaker 1: agreed upon for revenue purposes, and which in no way
Speaker 1: restrict the freedom of trade. It is our further purpose
Speaker 1: to have a constitution prepared under the direction and advice
Speaker 1: of your most patriotic and wisest men, and which, while
Speaker 1: modern to the last degree, will conform to your habits
Speaker 1: and customs. However, he said in conclusion, it is our
Speaker 1: purpose to take the most drastic measures against revolutionists, bandits,
Speaker 1: and other disturbers of the peace. While Drew did not
Speaker 1: then indicate it, he had in mind the amalgamation of
Speaker 1: Mexico and the Central American republics into one government, even
Speaker 1: though separate states were maintained, and of Chapter fifty one