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”Blackbirds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
Next is a nice big silver coin I may have paid a bit too much for even from a well-established, reputable Canadian Ebay seller. Still, it filling only one of many holes in my Mexico Stack and hope to have a reasonably modest typeset of Mexican silver coinage.
A nice big portrait of Father Miguel Hidalgo, the celebrated figure of Mexico’s war of Independence is emblazoned on the reverse. Who knows what he actually said from the pulpit that September 16th of 1810 but it had to be quite the message and cry to arms to begin Mexico’s long road to independence, The Cry of Delores . Though Father Hidalgo was tried and executed in the summer of 1811, the cause didn’t die as Father José Morelos took up the torch of Independence.
Sister Teresa D’Mordecai Part 5: The faith of Patriots
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Father Morelos stepped out to the compound wall where wounded and helpless Patriots of Father Hidalgo were mercilessly executed. He recalls some of Miguel's fiery words and clutched his cross resigned at the inhuman treatment of prisoners of war. His lips whispered a silent prayer. The blood stains on the wall still bore fresh evidence that the Royalist forces cared not for the sanctity of the Church, nor exercise of mercy. Yet, the Bishop of Mexico city remained silent on this massacre.
Over by the water well where his volunteer guardsmen were resting, they watched their general weep, his unguarded passionate emotions in plain view.
1951 Mexico 5 Pesos Business Strike
“It was true. See these stains?” He fingers feeling the pock holes on the wall. “I was told that the ones that could stand held up those that could not. They faced their end with courage!” He tugs out a kerchief from his coat and wipes his eyes, “They will not be forgotten! ...God will remember them!”
They resumed through the compound past the workshop towards the gate. Teresa again noticed the smell of hot Borax. Brother Francisco is taken aside by Lieutenant Guerrero speaking only in hushed tones. From the corner of her eye she observes the acolyte handing him a piece of metal in the shape of a bar.
Lieutenant Guadalupe took a moment to excuse himself from Father Morelos to check on the wounded troops and with Sister Felicia absent, Teresa casually inspects the Coal miner’s supply wagon nearby as he stood waiting for Felicia’s approval. Shifting the burlap there were buckets of coal and grey colored ore underneath. “Sister Felicia would okay this Pedro, God bless.”
“Si, thank you Sister, it will be a busy night for me,” The Coal digger steered his cart towards the workshop to unload. It appears as if he was digging more than just coal.
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Rejoining Father Morelos his mood had changed. He is attentive allowing Teresa to explain some of the Principles of Sun Tzu uninterrupted. He’d respond with a nod, or “please continue.” He’d also pause to wave or salute to some members of his army and sometimes a fatherly pat on the shoulders of any soldier that appeared in the need of encouragement.
The army of Captain General Morales is not a formal styled one at all. No uniforms, mostly of peasant, Indian, Pardo, Mestizo and mixed blood stock of farmers and laborers. Half the men were armed with a varying mix of English, French, liberated Spanish flint lock muskets, a few of the newer rifles but even more of the older Spanish flint lock muskets. Otherwise, the remaining solders had machetes and various farming tools as melee weapons, the kind of basic weapon that typify innumerable rebellions through the ages.
Lieutenant Guadalupe’s Cavalry are barely equipped with liberated and improvised weapons. Not all had adequate side arms settling for a knife if there were a lack of pistols. A spear fashioned from a sharpened tree branch than a spear but at least every horseman hand a basic cavalry sword or machete. This army was in need of good equipment and that seemed to be the glaring issue of this army. Jose only nodded at her observation.
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Perhaps the most impressive are the six light cannon battery crews that worked well and practiced almost constantly without having to actually fire in order to conserve powder. Morelos grinned with a chuckle, "Just don't ask how we got them."
It was another Sun Tzu principle; “Your opponent's supply train is your supply train." Fascinated, he drank in every principle she taught like a scholar. At the same time he continued to acknowledge the men he knew by name, constantly encouraging and admonishing their patriotism as they strode past the numerous roadside camps.
In summary it was a small but mobile force with a short chain of command. Looking into the faces of the men they are motivated by their fresh victories and faith in Father Morelos’ charismatic leadership.
She looked into the face of General Morelos, "I congratulate you on the morale of your troops Captain General."
"Amazing, I can now understand this Sun Tzu General, ‘…know yourself and know your opponent and your plan will never be in peril.' I am impressed with your knowledge Teresa. “
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Mother Eva checks a soldier’s wound dressing before covering him with the blanket, “You will be fine, get some sleep.” She turns to one of the Attending Nuns, “Sister Argénta.”
“Oui Mother,” Replied the French Nun.
“I believe Father Morelos may approve of Sister Teresa, I’d like you to go check on them please and report. Our patients are adequately settled here. And in case there is trouble be prepared.”
“I know she is suspicious of us, she may still be a spy for the Royalists but I shall be prepared.”
"Please just call me José”, he stopped then took a moment to kiss Teresa's hand yielding a permissive smile from her lips.
"I think you have good army José, motivated and mobile, best suited for 'Hit and Run' tactics."
"I lack the military experience so I must give credit my lieutenants from their fine qualifications. I find it incredible for a Nun to have such insight. There is so much more to you than meets the eye. According to one of your Sisters Juanita, you fought a non-commissioned officer and a soldier and then prepared yourself to face Captain Oreága I believe."
"A weapon of words José, I sense Captain Oreága values his pride such that he can be manipulated to a point." Teresa resumes their leisurely pace.
"With a teaching stick,” Laughed Josè, "Now I wish I could have arrived earlier to see this sight. Captain Oreága has a fearsome reputation among the Royalist establishment, a very skilled swordsman and competent officer. He is actually the rank of Colonel Major and a dangerously ambitious yet prefers to be addressed as Captain. That way many of his enemies underestimate him. He has won a dozen Honor duels when I met him in Veracruz before this war. Many men would do better than to leave him be."
"I tend to think my faithful sisters exaggerate my abilities as I can attest that the spirit guides my hand and my temper." Teresa shrugged her shoulders, "I can't say what will happen if we crossed swords."
"A woman who has courage as well as faith, please allow me to look you in the face."
1951 Mexico 5 Pesos Business Strike
Father Morelos grasped her shoulders like a lover; his right hand gently caresses her cheek." I see a remarkable person before me, a beauty in character. God has granted you a gift for this moment in the history of a birth of a glorious nation. I wish you can join me in this cause. You know what is at stake here! But you have a responsibility with your Sisters and this town."
It was somewhat ironic that Sister De la Rosa may have followed Father Hidalgo in much the similar way. And the first time she felt somewhat uneasy that she was wearing her very habit. There was a feeling that Fate's hand plunging her soul and spirit into another cause not of her choosing. It had to be by the hand of her angelic silver Diva.
José seemed to come to some decision, “Let me show you something Teresa, follow me.”
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Their walk took them into the outskirts of town into it’s cemetery not far from the Convent. Lieutenant Guerrero was already there with eight men having finished digging open a grave before the Statue of the Angel of Mercy marked with the name of Sister De La Rosa. Eight oil lanterns light up the area illuminating the forest of grave markers around them. The men began to load heavy burlap bags on to three wagons. Father Morelos draws a knife from his boot and cuts open one of the bags. “Here lays our hope for the future of our new nation!”
The shine of the bars were unmistakable, gold and silver doré bars ready for export. The brothers have been refining ore into trade bars and that explained the guarded workshop and the smell of borax for the refining process of these bars before being hidden in this grave. The ore mine itself was not far from the Coal seams that Pedro and his men mine the town’s supply of fuel coal.
With a renewed optimism Father Morelos lifted a large bar from the bag, “We are expecting a wagon train of guns through San Antonio, a shipment of brand new Charleville and Brown Bess muskets, newer models though my American interests in Washington. You were right my Teresa, we need better equipment as well as the unconventional tactics as you described.”
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Sister Argénta stops her horse by another campsite of patriots, “Have you seen Father Moreles?”
The former farmer points to his left, “Si Sister, he and another Nun were headed to the Cemetery.”
“Gracias mon amis. Giddyup!”
José drew out a letter and the silver cross, “Father Hidalgo sent these to me to prove he had a plan in the event of his death. These silver and gold bars will be meeting that wagon train in four weeks north at Monterrey. These bars must get there and this Revolution depends on it getting there. In return we get five hundred new muskets, fifty rifles, five cannon, ammunition, powder, and supplies on ten wagons. ”
With the three wagons fully loaded she felt José’s hand tighten on hers, “Now I understand why you are here José.”
And I understand the Royalists are pressing on our stronghold near Delores, I promised to relieve them as it is not far from here. I need someone I trust to help watch over and secretly deliver this gold and silver to Monterrey.
Out of the corner of her eye a soldier tries to slip away into the direction away from the town, “Where is he going?”
“You stop!” shouted Lieutenant Guerrero as he drew his pistol and begins to pursue him. But the man kept running shouting something incoherent into the darkness.
The moon was partly obscured in the sky however it was enough light with Teresa’s natural night acuity that she begins to see something stirring in the darkness. “Lieutenant, there is something in the dark, come back!”
Out of the darkness emerged solders wearing the colors of the Viceroy. They came marching out of the shadows with their bayonets and swords poised and ready accompanied by a squad of cavalry led by a man with a scarf over his face.
“Santa Maria, it’s a trap,” Exclaimed Lieutenant Guerrero as he scampers back.
“We have been betrayed!” José climbs onto a wagon drawing his pistol and sword, “We’re out numbered, we must stand and fight until the army comes to our aid!” General Morelos orders, “Defensive circle in between the wagons!”
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I hope you enjoyed this coin feature, and thank you for stopping by my Blog for a little read.
Previous 4 chapters of Sister Teresa D’Mordecai;
#fiestatuesday: 1933 Silver One Peso – Sister Teresa D’Mordecai, Part One
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The #fiestatuesday and #worldcoinwednesday tags are the brainchild of SSG Tag Master 
References
1. My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
Other References
Numista: 1951 Mexico 5 Peso
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“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”