a greatly superior enemy force, numbering 1,000 men including those left behind in the city and two 9-pounders under Generals Vasquez and Montoya. Unbeknown to them another Centralist army of about 1,000 men under General Juan Morales had taken up its position at Agua Nueva, seventeen miles out on the Saltillo road toward San Luis Potosí.[108]  Arista had advanced from Victoria to Linares, where since the 21st he had been guarding "las salidas de la Sierra."[109]

Nevertheless, the Federalists quickly formed for battle, Jordan urged an immediate attack, "but Molano, and López judged it best to send a communication to the enemy, offering him terms of capitulation,"[110]  but did not tell Jordan that they had already sent in an emissary to the enemy. At this point, a white flag was seen approaching from the lines of the enemy, no doubt in response to Molano's solicitation for a conference. Molano's "valor suddenly evaporated," and, instead of warning it away, he sent out a white flag of his own to demand what message the enemy's courier brought. The two emissaries met between the lines, and the Centralist messenger reported that the town was willing to meet any reasonable requisition if the Federal troops would not enter. The Centralist courier was now escorted within the Federalists' lines, where he was received. He stated that General Montoya wished to confer with Molano, who immediately left the Federalist lines, under an escort of several soldiers, none of whom were Americans, and passed over to the enemy's lines.[111]

In the ensuing conference with Montoya, Vasquez, and Licentiate Don Juan Ramos, Molano explained that he had been in correspondence with General Arista and produced letters and copies of letters to prove it. He declared that his "irrevocable decision" was to subject