Jalapa was surrendered to the imperialists by Luciano Prieto, after vain effort on the part of the Juarist governor, Miron, who had warning of the treachery, to capture the place.[1] Higher up, in Tamaulipas, the French had gained a foothold in Tampico, as related, and were pressing the Juarists to extreme measures, such as declaring the province in a state of siege. This roused the discontent of the garrison at Mataimoros, and caused a pronunciamiento against Governor Ruiz, who thereupon took the field against his rival, Serna, regardless of the cause he was imperilling. The latter prevailed, but the condition of affairs remained doubtful.[2]
- ↑ Miron retired with his 800 men toward Cotastla. This occurred in the latter part of Oct. The French guerrillas under Dupin were keeping clear the vicinity of Vera Cruz city. Id., Oct. 13, 15, Dec. 22, 1863. In Tabasco were also certain movements. Id., Oct. 15.
- ↑ Iglesias, Revistas, ii. 225. This incident led to a singular conservative fiasco. José María Cobos, a Spanish adventurer who had risen from a contraband trader to the rank of general under Zuloaga, was at this time a refugee in Texas. His rank and antipathy toward the French caused him to be summoned as a leader of the movement. He accepted, and without fully sounding the disposition of the pronunciados, prepared to form a revolution against the Juarist government. This was more than Cortina, the commandant of the garrison, had bargained for. He promptly seized the unsuspecting Cobos and had him shot, and thereupon reported to Juarez, declaring his loyalty, but demanding
and Gavito relieved Coayuca besieged by them. Periód. Ofic., Sept. 12, 19, Nov. 26, 1863; La Voz de Méj., Nov. 12, 1863.
