German Contreras to To the, April 12, 1868

Pronunciamento of Negrete in favor of Gonzales Ortega.

We publish the following official communication from Colonel Contreras, and also a private letter from that officer to the minister of war.

The government had before sent forces to pursue the bands which Negrete has united, and on learning the present occurrences it has immediately taken the proper measures.

General Velez left this city to-day with additional forces, which, united with those sent before, will make the pursuit effective.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, CORPS OF LANCERS OF TOLUCA—COLONEL-IN-CHIEF.

As I announced to you in my private communication of this morning, I made my entry into this place at two o’clock in the afternoon. At three, in union with General Galvan, we went out to reconnoiter the suburbs, and outside of the town, in the direction of San Antonio, towards the east, we discovered a body of cavalry to the number of two hundred and fifty men, under the command of General Negrete, (as we were afterwards informed,) marching upon the place. In the act we countermarched and arrived in the midst of them at the quartel.

The enemy made his principal attack upon this point. Violently organizing a column of thirty men on foot, under my immediate orders, I charged and they were repulsed. Once this was attained, the heights were occupied, and the enemy in his flight occupied the hill of Tezontle, which has been fortified since the time of the empire.

The attack lasted from the hour mentioned until dark.

In our force we have to lament the death of Colonel Manuel Robles, and four wounded and three dead of the troops,

I do not know the loss of the enemy, as he availed of the darkness to retire, leaving in our hands four horses and five muskets.