3rd January 2005
**** under construction ****
Here follows some general notes on the army Cortes used to invade and conquor the Aztecs. Named men were usually men of quality or rank rather than common soldiers. Some of the events are abbreviated to make sense in this description, and technically some things I describe are not as they actually happened but are described (or not described) in such a way to make this narrative flow without going into alot of sub detail, so be aware. As I said, a wargamer's GUIDE to the major events.
For the expedition Cortes had 2 banners made, "worked in gold with the royal arms and a cross on each side and a legend that read 'Brothers and comrades, let us follow the sign of the Holy Cross in true faith, for under this sign we shall conquer.'"
The initial expedition left Santiago de Cuba with 350 soldiers and 10 ships (one of which was the San Sebastian). Also in the list were Diego de Ordaz (Governor Valezquez's steward), Francisco de Morla, Escobar the page, Heredia, Juan Ruano, Pedro Escudero and Martin Ramos de Lares, Bernal Diaz, Cristobal de Guzman (Corteses steward) Juan de Caceres (steward), Bartolomede Usagre (gunner), Diego de Godoy (King's notary).
At Trinidad, the expedition was joined by Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Alvardo, Gomez de Alvarado, Jorge de Alvarado, Juan de Alvarado, Alonso de Avila, Juan de Escalante, Pedro Sanchez Farfan, Gonzalo Mejia, Baena, Juanes de Fuenterrabia, Lares the Horseman, Cristobel de Olid, Ortiz the musician, Gaspar Sanchez, Diego de Pineda, Alonso Rodriguez, Bartolome Garcia, Pedro de la Vega plus others. Cortes also picked up an 11th ship.
From Santispiritus came Alonso Hernandez Puertocarrero, Gonzalo de Sandoval, Juan de Velazquez de Leon, Rodrigo Rendel (chamberlain), Gonzalo Lopez de Jimena and his brother, Juan Sedeno.
At Havana (old Havana, not mdern Havana) joined Francisco de Montejo, Diego de Soto of Toro, Angulo y Garcicaro, Sebastian Rodriguez, Pacheco, Santa Clara Martinez del Fregenal, Juan de Najera, plus more soldiers.
One ship under Diego de Ordaz was dispatched to an Indian town near Cape Guaniguanico for provisions.
The artillery, consiting of 10 brass guns and 4 falconets were tested out by known gunners Mezsa, Arbenga and Juan Catalan. meanwhile, padded armour was made for the soldiers. At this point they had 16 horses.
Arriving at the Island of Cozumel (east point of the Yucatan Peninsula) a roll call revealed 508 men excluding the ships complements of 100, plus 16 horses. The soldiers included 32 crossbowmen and 13 musketeers.The artillery was under the command of Francisco de Orozco who had served in Italy. Expert bow repariers were Juan Benitez and Pedro de Guzman.
12 March 1519
The fleet arrived at Tabasco, and were met by about 12,000 Indians. After failing to entreaty with the Indians, they assaulted the town the next day, 100 men under Alonso de Avila to attack from a secondary path behind the town once the main forces were engaged. Cortes assaulted from the front in his ships boats, which each contained three cannon plus the crossbowmen and musketeers. Theindians tried to prevent the landing by missile fire from their canoes. They retreated to two lines of defence, before being beaten and fleeing. The Spanish suffered 14 wounded, and the Indians at least 18 dead.
On the next day the Spanish reconoittered in force, one group under Pedro de Alvorado with 100 men including 15 musketeers and crossbowmen, the other under Francisco de Lugo with 100 men including 12 crossbowmen and musketeers. De Lugo came under attack, and by circumstance the returning Alvarado came near and the two forces linked up. They retreated to town which had also come under attack. Spanish losses were 2 dead and 11 wounded, the Indians losing 15 and three captured. They knew they were to be attacked again the next day.
The horses were unloaded, and the wounded put on ship. The horsemen totalled 14 under Cortes, Mesa commanded the artillery and Diego de Ordaz the footsoldiers. They formed up behind their standard bearer Anotnio de Villaroel and headed to a nearby treeless plain near a town called Cintla. They met the indians coming to find them, who had their faces painted in black and white. The Indians carried large bows, spears and shields, 2 handed swords, slings and darts, all wore padded cotton armour. Thebattle leasted as a stalemate until the undiscovered cavalry appeared behind the Indians, who had never seen such things. The Indians broke and fled. The Spanish suffered 2 dead and many wounded. The Indians lost over 800 killed (220 according to Cortes). Peace was made.
They moved on to Cempoala, who befriended them, and whom they freed from Mexican rule. Here they founded vera Cruz.
While there they headed off to Cingapacinga which was beset by Mexican bands. This they did to protect and impress the Cempoalans Totonacs). Cortes took 400 soldiers, 14 horsemen, his artillery and some crossbow and musketeers. The Cempoalans sent 2000 Indians split into 4 groups. However, Cortes discovered it was a ruse by the Indoans to ravish their neighbours, and instead Cortes made peace with them.
Here Cortes and his troops destroyed their ships to prevent any dissention among them, and leaving 60 lame men in town, they set off to visit Tenochtitlan, having picked up another 6 men from a passing ship. Accompanying them were 200 Indian porters and 40 senior warriors.
Mid August 1519
The passed through Jalapa then Socochima which were both friendly provinces, and not under Mexican control, before ascending into the mountains.
Past the mountains they entered Xocotlan, which was a subject of Mexico, but friendly. They left it for Tlascala with another 20 warriors.
They stopped in Xalacingo where they learnt that the Tlascalans were preparing to fight them, for the Spanish had allies who were once Mexican subjects, so must therefore be hostile. Here Cortes received another 20 warriors before moving on.
The army ran into a force of 3000 Indians from Teacoc where a skirmish ensued. The Spanish lost 1 man killed, 3 wounded, the Teacocans 17 dead plus wounded.
2nd September 1519
The moving army ran into more Tlascalans, some 6000 strong. They charged them, who feinted, revealing the majority of the Tlascalan army of 40,000 lurking nearby. An hour long struggle left the Spanish holding the field with 15 wounded and one horse lost, with Tlascalan losses including 8 of their senior captains and in numerable warriors, whose bodies were removed and therefore uncountable. This was the battle of Tecuacacingo.
5th September 1519
Cortes faced the complete Tlascalan army in its 5 divisions (50,000 men), with the Tlascalan white bird banner present, on an open plain. The Spanish mustered 400 or so men, and were assailed by the Tlascalans in such numbers that many of the formations got in the way of each other and lessened their impact. Two of the Tlascalan groups would not join the fighting due to internal rivalries. Eventually the Tlascalans were ebaten off, with 1 dead and 60 wounded.
Several nights later the Tlascalans with 10,000 warriors assaulted the Spanish at night while they were in the village of Tecoadzumpancingo. They attacked from three sides with missle weapons while warriors rushed the fourth side. The Spanish were aware of their coming, and beat them off, the Tlascalans losing about 20 killed and wounded, plus several captured. The Spanish lost one Cempoalan warrior, with 2 men and a horse severely wounded.
The Spanish made a foray to the next town of Tzompantzinco for supplies, but met no resistance.
A few days later the Tlascalans agreed to peace.
The Spanish stayed with the Tlascalans for some 3 weeks, before deciding to set out to Tenochtitlan via Cholula, a town subject to Mexico. The Tlascalans gave them 1000 warriors as an escort.
Arriving at Cholula, whom the Tlascalans told them would be treazcherous, the Spanish lodged in the town, while Montezuma had sent a force fo 20,000 warriors to help the Cholulans to subdue the Spanish. The Mexcian plan was discovered, and Cortes mounted a counter trap, and killed many Cholulans in reprisal for the duplicity. After the victory many more Tlascalans arrived and wrought havoc on Cholula before Cortes stopped them. Alternate factions within Cholula sought peace, and Cortes made peace between the Cholulans and Tlascalans. Cortes decided to move onto Tenochtitlan, accepting another 1000 warriors from Tlascala, while the warriors from Cempoala wished to return home.
Cortes arrived at Tlamanelco (Amecameca) where representatives from Chimaluacan, Amecameca and Ayotzinco offered friendship. After receiving ambassadors from Montezuma, who wished him to turnback, he advanced to Itzapalatengo (Ayotzingo). Here he was met by Cacamatzin, lord of Texcoco, who invited him to advance to Tenochtitlan. He crossed the Cuitlahuac causeway to Itzapalapa, where he was entertained by the the cacique Cuitlahuac, and the lord of Culuacan.
8th November 1519
He marched into Tenochtital, meeting Montezuma on the causeway, who showed them to their quarters.
After being in town 4 days, they received news that the Totonacs had risen in revolt after the Aztecs had raided Almeria, and killed several Spanish. Cortes was persuaded then to take Montezuma captive, which they did quickly, and also sent for the captains of the Aztecs who had raided Almeria. These captains were executed, and the revolt slackened. Cortes sent Sandoval back to Villa Rica to take over as governor from Alonso de Grado. Cortes then built two sloops for sailing on the lake.
With Montezuma under 'house arrest' soem of the leaders of the surrounding towns, who were relatives of Montezuma, began inciting rebellion. For awhile the two parties hold over the outbreak see sawed until finally action was taken.