troops were not numerous, and forced levies being suppressed for reasons of policy as well as military efficiency, a militia was created, under the term Guardia Civil, for the defence of towns and districts. It embraced all able-bodied Mexicans between the age of eighteen and fifty, and was maintained by regulated contributions.[1] An appeal was also made to the Indians in Aztec, rousing their superstition in behalf of religion outraged by liberals, and stating that the empire was spreading fast over the country.[2] The French forces consisted at this time of 34,700 men, including 1,700 cavalry, 2,270 marines, 3,100 artillery, and 3,500 belonging to the commissary and other departments, with 8,700 horses and mules, 80 cannon, and a number of trains. The troops, mobilized at the opening of the actual campaign in November, are placed at 14,000 French and 7,000 Mexicans.[3]
The Juarist forces embraced about this time five divisions, under the direction of Comonfort, minister of war, the castern of about 3,000 men under Porfirio Diaz, another under Governor Doblado, who had over four thousand men and large means in Guanajuato, Jesus Gonzalez Ortega, the defender of Puebla, Uraga, Arteaga, Negrete, and Berriozábal ranking among the other leading generals. In Durango, Governor Patoni was actively providing resources, with the coöperation of Chihuahua and Sinaloa; and in Puebla and Tlascala, and other directions, fresh troops were forming, although to a great extent by levies.[4] The minister at Washington was meanwhile
- ↑ Those on duty alone received pay. Armament, medicine, instructions, and pensions, if the fund permitted it, were covered. The decree is dated Oct. 3d. Regulations were also issued for maintaining the efficiency of strongholds. The country was placed under French military laws while the war lasted. Rules in Id., 432-8.
- ↑ The original text is preserved in Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xvi. 1051-2.
- ↑ Capt. Niox of the staff gives exact details in his Expéd. du Mex., 328-30, 335-7. He estimates the Mexican troops at about l3,000. A small but famous band among the French was the guerrilla party, operating in Vera Cruz under Col Dupin, whose deeds are recorded by Keratry and others, and in Lefêvre, Doc. Maximiliano, i. 419-33.
- ↑ The above apportionment underwent certain changes, however, Antillon being alluded to shortly after as commanding the second division. Estrella
