Unfortunately for him, the warfare was rather of a guerrilla character, involving the scattering of forces; many of the soldiers drafted into the ranks from unwilling subjects, and from the class of deserters, or even malefactors, could not be relied upon;[1] and outfit as well as pay proved scanty or lacking, so that altogether the value and efficiency of the army were greatly reduced.[2]
In addition came discontent among the Austro-Belgian regiments, ever opposed to any subordination to Mexican officers, or even to French — a trouble increased by unforeseen hardships, and by the war in Europe.[3] The greatest obstacle of all, however, was the lack of money, which was causing an outcry from every direction, impeding operations, and threatening wide-spread disbandment.[4] The case was placed before Bazaine in April, with an urgent appeal for assistance. A small advance now would obviate a crisis, and save enormous outlays at a later time. France could not allow its work to collapse by refusing so slight a sacrifice. The marshal yielded by granting a monthly allowance of two and a half million francs.[5] The
- ↑ A battalion ordered to Yucatan during the spring was composed mainly of vagabonds and criminals, and Casanova, the commander, refused to go unless a reliable force was added to control the rest. Niox, Expéd., 554.
- ↑ The cazadores were offered a bounty of $25. It was proposed to form 10 battalions of them, under French officers and French army regulations. The term of service extended from two to seven years. Osmont and Friant had immediate charge of them, and Courtois D'Hurbal organized the artillery in a manner that received the acknowledgment of Maximilian. Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 381, 415–16; Détroyat, L'Interv., 244. Le Saint pays a tribute to the bravery of the Mexicans. Guerre Mex., 193. For drafting orders and other regulations, see Diario Imp., June 30, 25th, Aug.-Dec., passim; Voz Méj., Feb. 20, March 6, Aug. 28, 30, 1866, etc., and other journals. This system, so frequently forbidden as unjust and unsatisfactory, had to be resumed, as Kératry shows. Max., 137-9. Col Shelby, lately of the U. S. confederate army, has brought some men and urged an enlistment of American soldiers as the most effective measure; but Maximilian did not entertain the idea. Edward's Shelby's Exped., 22-4, 42, 90-2.
- ↑ Large numbers of them insisted on returning to Europe, and great efforts had to be made to quiet the feeling. Niox, Expéd., 554-7, 579.
- ↑ Lacunza, who had charge of the finance department, explained the critical situation in a letter to the marshal of April 25th. Mejía and Quiroga in the north were suffering from actual want, and had to impose forced loans. Lopez could not leave San Luis, nor Franco Oajaca, for similar reasons; the Austro-Belgians owed half a million, and so forth.
- ↑ The question was discussed in a council presided over by Maximilian. Dano and Maintenant, inspector of the treasury, objected to granting any ad-
