Early Psychological Warfare in the Hidalgo Revolt

C OLONEL TORCUATO TRUJILLO had been sent on a desperate-almost hopeless-mission by the viceroy of New Spain.' His orders were to hold the pass at Monte de las Cruces on the Toluca road over which the priest Miguel Hidalgo was expected to lead his insurgent horde. Trujillo's 2,500 men did have the topographical advantage, but the mob, one could hardly call it an army, which advanced toward the capital of the kingdom outnumbered them more than thirty to one. If the vain and unpopular Spanish colonel failed, the rebels could march unhindered on Mexico City. On October 30, 1810, the forces clashed in a bloody and prolonged battle. It was the first time that the unwieldy mass of rebel recruits had faced disciplined soldiers and well serviced artillery in the field. Under such circumstances coordinated attack was difficult and Hidalgo's casualties were heavy. Toward nightfall Trujillo's troop, though decimated, was able to break out of its encircled positioni and retreat into the Valley of Anahuac. The insurgents gained the heights of Las Cruces and advanced the next day over the divide and down to the hamlet of Cuajimalpa. The capital of New Spain lay below them. Why was the six weeks old revolution not consummated immediately by the occupation of Mexico City? Why, after poising three days above the city, did Hidalgo abandon his goal and retreat? * The author is assistant professor of history at Ohio Wesleyan University. ' Materials from Mexican archives used in this article were obtained in 1954 while I was enjoying the benefits of a fellowship from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation. Archives conisulted include the Archivo General de la Naci6n; Archivo del Museo Nacional de Arqueologia e Historia; and the Mariano Cuevas Collection, Colegio Maximo de Cristo Rey de la Provincia Mexicana de la Compafiia de Jesius, Sani Angel, D. F. (abbreviated hereinafter as AGN, AMN, and Cuevas, respectively). For additional primary materials I am indebted to the staffs of the Library of Congress; the Sutro Branch of the Califorlnia State Library; the Latin American Collection of the University of Texas Library; the Henry Raup Wagner Collection of Yale University; and the Yale University Library (cited hereinafter as L.C., Sutro, Texas, Wagner, and Yale, respectively). I wish to thank Charles Griffin and Charles Hale for their helpful suggestions. I am responsible for all errors and conclusions

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