HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



35 



diers, diftributed into three companies under as many 

 captains with twenty thoufand Tlafcalans and two pieces 

 of artillery. Chriftopher Olid was created camp-mafter, 

 and chief of the divifion deftined for the city of Cojo- 

 huacan, and afligned thirty-three horfes, one hundred 

 and fixty-eight foot foldiers, under three other captains, 

 with two pieces of artillery, and more than twenty-five 

 thoufand allies. To Gonzales de Sandoval he gave 

 twenty-four horfes, one hundred and fixty-three Spanifli 

 infantry, under two captains with two cannons, and the 

 allies of Chalco, Huexotzinco, and Cholula, who were 

 more than thirty thoufand in number, and ordered him 

 firfl to go and deftroy the city of Iztapalapan, and then 

 to encamp himfelf wherever he thought he could moft 

 effectually hem in the Mexicans. Cortes in fpite of 

 the remonftrances made him by his captains and fol- 

 diers, took the command of the brigantines, where he 

 thought his affiftance would be moft neceffary. He dis- 

 tributed among the thirteen brigantines three hundred 

 and twenty-five Spaniards and thirteen falconets, aflign- 

 ing to each brigantine a captain, twelve foldiers, and as 

 many rowers ; fo that the whole army deftined to begin 

 the fiege of the capital, confuted of nine hundred and 

 Seventeen Spaniards, and more than feventy-five thou- 

 fand auxiliary troops (ni) ; which number was foon after 

 increafed, as we fliall find, to two hundred thoufand and 

 more. All the other troops which had repaired to Tez- 

 cuco, either remained there to be employed when it was 

 neceffary, or returned to their own places of abode, as 



they 



(m) Solis fays, that Bernal Diaz complains often that the allies gave them 

 more hindrance than affiftance ; but this is totally falfe, for Bernal Diaz on the 

 contrary, frequently fays, that the allies were of great affiftance, and fought 

 courageoufly againft the Mexicans. " The Tlafcalans our friends," he fays, in 

 chap. 151. " affifted us greatly during the whole war, like brave people." 



