File:The battle roll- an encyclopedia containing descriptions of the most famous and memorable land battles and sieges in all ages (1858) (14777794272).jpg

Identifier: battlerollencycl00perc (find matches)
Title: The battle roll: an encyclopedia containing descriptions of the most famous and memorable land battles and sieges in all ages
Year: 1858 (1850s)
Authors: Perce, Elbert, 1831-1869
Subjects: Battles
Publisher: New York, Mason brothers
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
sides upon the Spaniards. Cortez nowdetermined to make a decisive sortie. Ageneral discharge of artillery and musketryopened a bloody gap in the midst of the ene-my, and before they could reorganize thegates were opened, and the Spanish cavalry,supported by a large body of Tlascalan war-riors, rushed out, and charged down uponthe Mexicans at fuU gallop. Little expectingsuch an attack, the Mexicans were throwninto the utmost confusion and made but Ut-tle resistance. On through the masses of theenemy the Spanish cavahy plowed its way,strewing the plain with corses. The enemyfled in aU directions. The Tlascalan infantryfollowed up the attack of the cavalry withthe utmost vigor, and the ilexicans were forthe time being entirely routed. But soonthey arrived at a breastwork of timber,which they had thrown across the principalstreet. Behind this they ralUed, and repliedto the frequent charges of the enemy byclouds of arrows and stones, which checkedtheir further progress and threw them into
Text Appearing After Image:
MEXICO. 369 disorder. But now Cortez ordered up liiaheavy artillery, and having placed it in po-sition, opened a fire upon the enemys workwhich in a short time swept it away, andcleared a passage for his army. But theMexicans kept their ground with surprisingobstinacy. In vain did the Spanish horsecharge down upon them; they were drivenback, and being also attacked in flank byfi-esh battahons of the enemy wliich came infrom adjoining lanes and streets, victoryseemed hung in a balance. Attacked in front,rear, and flank by swarms of an enemywhom hatred had inspired with a desire forvengeance, which nothing but the accom-plishment could quench, the Spaniards foughtwith the sullen ferocity of despair. Shoulderto shoulder they battled against the humantide. Cortez exhorted them not to separate;but in spite of their efforts several were di-vided from their companions, dragged fromtheir horses, and either slaughtered on thespot or hurried away to furnish a victim forthe sacrificial altar. Co

Note About Images