capital, which in its turn was evacuated in November, Castagny having already removed his headquarters to Leon.[1] The republicans at once took possession, levying a heavy contribution on the inhabitants, and Juarez, who had for some time held forth at Chihuahua, made Durango the seat of his government on December 26th.[2]
In Sonora and Sinaloa republican triumphs had been attended with more arduous campaigning. The French had confined themselves properly to Guaymas and Mazatlan;[3] but in the interior of Sonora the imperial comisario, General Langberg, held possession of the central and northern districts, assisted especially by the brave Ópatas. In the south the Juarist, Martinez, had, with forces from Sinaloa, managed to secure possession of Álamos,[4] and to inflict some sharp lessons upon the Mayos and Yaquis. He thereupon marched north and captured Hermosillo on May 4th;[5] but the imperialists regained the place.[6] In September the French were withdrawn from Guaymas, and about the same time Langberg fell in a battle which insured to the republicans the town of Ures.[7] The
- ↑ In Aug., leaving Cottret to hold in check a while the republicans who swarmed around and threatened to cut off his communications. He made several sorties against them and the invading Apaches, and a more regular movement in Sept. against the large force which had occupied the road to Fresnillo. Returning in Oct., he at once made preparations to evacuate, and effected this Nov. 13th. The Mexican garrison followed him three days later, regarding it as hopeless to maintain the position.
- ↑ Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7, iii. 146; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 750. For details concerning the campaign in these provinces, I refer to Hist. North Mex. States, ii., this series, based on government reports, local histories, journals, etc.
- ↑ The garrisons numbering respectively about 809 and 1,300 men.
- ↑ In Jan., after an open fight in which the commandant T. Almada lost about half of his 400 men.
- ↑ Massacring the French residents, according to imperialist accounts. Vega names Gov. Pesqueira as leading 1,300 men against the garrison of 350 men under Almada. Ausiliares, MS.
- ↑ Langberg came up with 800 men, and would have been defeated, says Iglesias, but for the confusion created by Martinez' cavalry charge among his own party. The republicans, nevertheless, held possession of the town till the morning of the 5th, when news of French reënforcements caused them to leave it. Revistas, iii. 687-8. In June the republicans assailed both this place and Ures, but without success. In Aug. they held it for a few days.
- ↑ Térnon, Arévalo, and Teran fleil with the remnant of Langberg's forces, and Ures was captured Sept. 5th, after a brief resistance. The French could
