French in keeping the bands in check, and in holding from the Juarists so valuable a source for funds, as well as an avenue for supplies from abroad. The guerrilla campaign proceeded with alternate successes as far north as the Sonora border.[1].
A blow equally severe was dealt in Jalisco, where the only respectable Juarist army north of Mexico — that of the centre, under Arteaga — had remained in comparative inactivity on the northern border of Colima, hemmed in by the French lines,[2] and later detained, like them, by the rainy season. This over, General Douay set out from Guadalajara, and joined by Marquez, he made, October 28th, a well-planned attack on Arteaga, in the ravine of Atenquique. The position was strong; but finding themselves taken also in rear and flank, the republicans turned and dispersed, leaving their artillery and a large number of slain. A few days later Gutierrez and Rojas were routed near Ameca by Rivas, opportunely reënforced by a French column. Marquez now occupied Colima; and on the 18th of November took possession of the important seaport of Manzanillo, which was not retained, however. An attempt by Rojas and others to retake Colima resulted in a disastrous failure.[3] Arteaga himself was overtaken near Jiquilpan by a French force, four days later, and routed.[4]
These reverses were relieved only by a faint glimmer of success in the southern states, General Vicario being repulsed at Chilapa[5] in October, while on the
- ↑ Among republicans joining the victors was Francisco Vega, who carried their banner to northern Sinaloa, but was besieged at Vila Fuerte, and captured and shot. A small Franco-Mexican reënforcement by way of Altata was defeated. Iglesias claims 98 French prisoners, and calls it one of the glorious victories. Revistas, iii. 152-6.
- ↑ An effort early in August, by four of his battalions, to break through northward, at Cocula, was frustrated with a loss of 200 men killed, many taken prisoners, and six cannon. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 430.
- ↑ And a loss of 800 prisoners.
- ↑ With a loss of 500 dead and captured, 2,000 fire-arms, etc. Previous to this he had successfully passed through the French lines by a circuitous route, proposing to gain Michoacan. The fullest account of operations in Jalisco and Sinaloa is found in Vigil, Ensayo Hist., 211, etc., but from a republican standpoint.
- ↑ Diego Álvarez came to the rescue of this place, which Vicario had been
