In Michoacan the irrepressible Régules, chief of the centre army, had sustained the campaign, despite a series of reverses at the hands of French and Mexican troops, which in April caused a dissolution of his forces.[1] A month later he was again in the field, and extended his operations into the Toluca region, finding ever a refuge among the ranges of his province, and warm and generous adherents in the rich valleys, especially round Zitácuaro,[2] as well as stout allies in the neighboring province of Guerrero, which had been little trodden by imperialists. Acapulco alone remained in their hands, defended by Montenegro, but fever and desertion were making sad havoc among them, and paving the way for the entry of the patient Juarists.[3]
In this state Porfirio Diaz also had found refuge after his escape from the prison at Puebla, and means to form anew the dispersed army of the south. Supported by the French fleet, the imperialists had obtained a foothold along the Oajacan coast, Prefect
- ↑ Gen. Mendez overtook him near Tangancécuaro Jan. 28th, and utterly routed his forces, estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000, against 700 of his own, taking 600 prisoners and most of the arms and baggage. On Feb. 20th he met Riva Palacio and Canto near Uruapan, and received in his turn a decided check. Iglesias speaks of 2,500 imperialists against 1,700 republicans. The former attacked and were routed with a loss 'de mas de las dos terceras partes de su fuerza.' Revistas, iii. 675. Imperialist accounts reverse the forces to 1,500 against 3,000, with a loss to themselves of 150 killed, while the republicans lost 200 killed and 300 prisoners. The latter retired in good order, after leaving a garrison at Uruapan. Régules was surprised a month later near Zamora by Aymard, who dissipated his forces, capturing 900 horses, and thereupon took Uruapan. Mendez followed up the advantage, aided by French columns, and reaching Huetamo at the end of April, he obliged Régules to disband the remnant left him. Yet the latter wrote hopefully as ever of his prospects. Vega, Doc., iii. 194-5.
- ↑ Which remained loyal amidst all the horrors of wars. It was burned over and over again. The inhabitants mostly abandoned it on the approach of the imperialists. The more fortunate Riva Palacio had been chosen by his comrades chief of the centre army, but the appointment of Régules came before this was known. Iglesias, iii. 675-6. For details concerning the preceding and later movements, see Diario Imp., Feb. 3, 1866, et seq.; Voz de Méj., Pájaro Verde, Mexicano, and others.
- ↑ Iglesias assumed, in Oct., a loss by fever of nearly 600 out of 800; others place the deaths at a little over ⅓ out of 750 men, ¼ deserting. On Aug. 27th the supreme government declared the province in a state of siege, confirming Diego Alvarado as governor. Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7, iii. 82-3.
had tended to limit their extension, as Iglesias, Revistas, iii. 676, confesses. See Soc. Mex. Geog., ép. 2ᵃ, iv. 748; Niox, Expéd., 615, 622.
