Maximilian's severe decree was prompted as well as felt especially in Michoacan, which, owing to its favorable geographic features, with rich valleys, mountain fastnesses, and approachable sea-coast, formed a good field for guerrillas. They held forth in the south and west, under Régules, Pueblita, Salazar, Riva Palacio, and others; the last named now appointed governor by Arteaga, who, after his defeat in Jalisco, continued here to wield the supreme command. The first important action of the year 1865 was the defeat, with great slaughter, of the leader Romero, at Apatzingan, by Colonel Potier,[1] for which Salazar obtained revenge at Los Reyes.[2] After this a reënforcement from Douay's forces assisted in making a partial sweep of the territory, but this advantage was lost by its withdrawal to the north, and Arteaga occupied the region of Tacámbaro, Ugalde and Valdés captured Zitácuaro,[3] and Régules approached the frontiers of Guanajuato with a force of about 2,000 men. Finding himself checked here, the latter hastened back and surprised, April 11th, the town of Tacámbaro, forcing the Belgian and Mexican garrison to capitulate, after sustaining a heavy loss.[4] He thereupon advanced by a western circuit against Morelia,[5] but was overtaken and routed at Huaniqueo by Potier.[6]
- ↑ On January 31st, with a loss of 200 killed and 160 prisoners, including Romero, who, with two comrades, was executed for brigandage.
- ↑ Including the capture of a foreign officer. The Estrella de Occid., 19th May, 1865, places the republican victory at 400, against 700 French and 'traitors.'
- ↑ This was retaken by Mendez, but besieged and again abandoned in April by the Belgian and Mexican garrison of 300 men.
- ↑ Including Chazal, a son of the Belgian minister of war, and the commandant, Tydgadt, who died of his wounds. Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 282, places the prisoners at 350, Niox at 210. Expéd. du Mex., 508. The loss created great excitement in Belgium, where several journals came out in denunciation of the sale of soldiers to be slaughtered in behalf of a usurper. Iglesias, Revistas, iii. 422-4. On the way to Tacámbaro, Régules took Cuitzeo with its garrison of 150 Mexicans. La Estrella de Occid., July 28, 1865.
- ↑ After failing to take Uruapan.
- ↑ Who had replaced Preuil as chief in this province. The victory was for
to foreign advisers, Méj., iv. 22; Domenech, not without reason, stamps the outcry abroad against the decree as absurd and based on ignorance of Mexican traits and requirements, Hist. Mex., iii. 335-6; and so forth.
