2,500 of his men, the route to Monclova, while General Escobedo, governor of Nuevo Leon,[1] proceeded eastward to Galeana, with the remaining 2,000. The French passed through Saltillo on the following day, in pursuit of the former, pressing him so closely that his forces disbanded in flight.[2] Thus the republican main army was again dissipated, and with it confidence in Negrete, who separated from Juarez.[3]
A better record is presented by the minor Juarist forces in along the gulf coast. Beginning in January with the needless destruction of Linares, Colonel Mendez had, after a series of rapid movements, captured Ciudad Victoria on April 23d,[4] and Tula on June 4th, after which he kept in check the garrison of Tampico, cutting off all communication with San Luis Potosí. Farther up, the forces of Escobedo overran in several parties the region between Linares, Búrgos, and Matehuala, routing a large convoy under Tijerina at Paso de las Cabras on Rio San Juan, and capturing Catorce on August 21st.[5] Matehuala and Cadereita were strongly garrisoned, but could afford little aid beyond their limits, so that flying bodies had to sally from Querétaro and San Luis Potosí to drive back the daring guerrillas. Cortina rendering the communication with Matamoros additionally dangerous, efforts were concentrated to maintain that with Tampico, but rains and fevers impeded operations.[6]
- ↑ Replacing Gen. Hinojosa, the former holder. J. M. Aguilar figured at the same time as prefect, and F. Lopez as comandante superior. La Estrella de Occid., March 17, May 19, July 7, 1865.
- ↑ This was effected mainly by Jeanningros, Brincourt having returned on the route to Parras to close this line against him.
- ↑ His orders being to call French attention from Chihuahua, he continued to struggle for a while in Nuevo Leon, with the remnant left him. Being called to account for funds intrusted to him, he turned to labor for the substitution of Ortega as president. Vega, Ausiliares, MS., pt 24, in Vega, Docs.
- ↑ After a siege of over a fortnight; the garrison agreeing to leave the territory. Iglesias places the siege at 19 days, ending April 23d. Revistas, iii. 333.
- ↑ The latter feat was performed by Gen. Vega, the former by Espinosa, in connection with Canales, Cerdo, and Naranjo, the convoy being estimated at 900 men. Niox credits the latter victory evidently to Cortina, and gives the loss at 250 men, the party being on the return march from Cadereita to Matamoros. Expéd. du Mex., 532.
- ↑ Chopin's African battalion and the foreign legion at Matamoros were
