thousands to convey siege material and supplies, and to throw up works round the city, which from the middle of January was so closely invested that a reënforcement under Félix Diaz failed to gain entrance.[1] The besieging force now numbered fully 7,000 men with twenty-six large pieces of artillery.[2]
On the 4th of February, 1865, firing began in earnest, and an assault was ordered for the 9th. Diaz, who had remained comparatively inactive, owing to a panic which had seized his men on account of the prestige and strength of the French troops, found that this fear had led to wholesale desertion, and would render effective resistance vain. To save useless bloodshed, he accordingly listened to the final summons and surrendered unconditionally.[3] Most of the men were set free or incorporated with the imperial troops, the rest being sent with Diaz and other officers to Puebla.[4] On his return, Bazaine learned that Tehuantepec had also been added to the empire. Thus ended an important but also enormously costly expedition.[5]
- ↑ Niox asserts that both Indians and well-to-do planters eagerly welcomed the French, tired of republican exactions. The laborers were paid. Ubi sup. Félix Diaz, commanding 700 cavalry, had left his brother shortly before on an expedition.
- ↑ Bazaine's men numbered 6,000. The rest were Mexicans. Diaz makes the number 16,000.
- ↑ With 4,000 men and 60 cannon, says Niox, while Diaz explains his misfortune by stating that the 3,000 with which he began the defence had diminished to 400. Biog., MS., 201, 209. He does not allude to the irregulars. Iglesias states that Diaz prepared to cut his way through; but while attempting personally to entertain Bazaine with pretended arrangements for surrender, he was detained as an escaped prisoner, having been captured when the French took Puebla. Revistas, ii. 401. But this Diaz does not admit. See also Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 631-2; Manero, Rel., 1-2; Diaz, Datos Biog., 746.
- ↑ Diaz states that he had never given his parole, as some declare. Biog., MS., 210–11, 213. He regretted that so many of his companions did so. Vega, Docs, iii. 54-5.
- ↑ Du 1er juillet 1864 jusqu'an 1er mai 1865, on dépensa en transports pour les expéditions sur Oajaca, 1,866,000 francs.' Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 450. 'Au point de vue financier,' says Domenech, 'ce siége fut désastreux.' Hist. Mex., iii. 283. He enters into details on road-making, transport, etc., and asserts that Brincourt would have effected the subjugation of the whole region long before at little cost, had the jealous Bazaine not withdrawn troops from him. See also Payno, Cuentas, 619, etc. Arrangoiz takes a similar view. Loc. cit. Further details in Diario Imp., Dec. 14, 1864, and subsequent numbers; La Voz de Méj., id.
