Before the victory over Olvera, Escobedo had in March descended from his retreat between Linares and Galeana, with 2,000 men, as far as Catorce, attempting also a futile attack on Matehuala, and thence swooping upon Tula, from which the approach of a strong force drove him back. Jeanningros and Douay pursued and inflicted contributions on the towns supporting him;[1] but he escaped, and the whole line,
from the Huasteca, through Victoria and Linares to Rio Grande, remained in republican hands. The val-
- ↑ They advanced by different routes from Monterey and Saltillo, while Dupin, who had resumed command of the contre-guerrilles, guarded the Soledad side. Warned by the friendly inhabitants, Escobedo was able to avoid conflict with the better trained French troops. Elton, With the French, 117 et seq., gives interesting details; also Legac. Mex., Circul., 176-7
obtained much better terms, for American interests were largely concerned, and the American flag was actually hoisted to protect the embarkation of Mejía. Voz Méj., July 7, Oct. 9, 1866; Estrella Occid., Aug. 20, Oct. 12, 26, 1866; Elton, 90; Le Saint, Guerre Mex., 16G; Arias, Reseña, 161, etc.; Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 675. Over forty cannon were left. Maximilian issued a puerile decree closing the port to trade; but the Washington government declared it void, although Maximilian could not have enforced his 'disposiciones. . . ilusorias,' as Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 100, very properly terms them.
