BAZAINE'S ACTS.
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pean soldiers who so desired, even those who had enlisted under Maximilian, in accordance with the convention of Miramare; thus encouraging them to break their oath and to unfairly retain the bounty given them.[1] Further, as many of the army effects could not profitably be taken to France, horses, saddles, and other cumbrous material were sold by auction at the different camps, going at insignificant prices often direct into the hands of the republicans, while a large quantity of projectiles and powder was destroyed, instead of being allowed to swell the resources of the imperial government.[2] Bazaine has been widely abused for these and other acts in which he undoubt-
- ↑ Going even so far as to place those who refused in the category of deserters. The object was partly disgust with Maximilian, partly a measure to promote his abdication, although the same telegram forbade any further urging in this respect; but also a desire to save further sacrifices of French blood. This 'emporta sur toute autre considération, says D'Héricault, Max., 85; by leaving them, he adds, the life of Maximilian could readily have been saved, for a few thousand foreign soldiers could penetrate anywhere in Mexico. Maximilian at first refused to let them go, but yielded by telegram of Jan. 14th. Id., 94. Their bounty had been $25, besides other expenditure for the pressed treasury Salm-Salm intimates that 'not less than six thousand men' deserted nevertheless to join Maximilian. My Diary, i. 18-19; but this is an exaggeration. A result of the measure was that Escobedo caused to be shot more than 100 Frenchmen captured early in Feb. at the defeat of Miramon, on the ground that they could no longer claim the protection of the tricolor. Several French officers appeared with a bitter protest in Le Courrier, at Mexico, reflecting on the steps which had led to such slaughter of their comrades, now termed bandits by the Juarists. Basch is naturally severe upon Bazaine. Erinnerungen, i. 143-8.
- ↑ Because it could not pay the trifle demanded for the stores. It must be admitted, however, that the projectiles were as a rule useless for the Mexican artillery, and that the empire had plenty of ammunition, as intimated in a letter by Maximilian to Gen. D'Hurbal, who organized this artillery. Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 415-16. Kératry publishes a report from the artillery department showing that the Mexicans had received from France 3,228, 226 cartridges and 21,437 kilogrammes of powder, and that the capital possessed at this time 34,741 shot of different caliber with the needful powder, at the rate of 300 charges per piece; also a reserve of 500,000 cartridges, besides the supply held by the Austro-Belgians. Max., 315. Nevertheless the destruction of available ammunition-estimated by one authority at 14 million cartridges — L'Interven, Mex., 313 — was wanton; and the sale of horses, etc., for the benefit of the republicans may be termed even worse. After abandoning the empire to its fate, this material should at least have been surrendered, as promise in the joint note of Nov. 9th, from the French representatives. Maximilian expresses himself bitterly on the point. Basch, ii. 75; Niox finds it 'difficile d'expliquer.' Expéd., 695; and Détroyat, 309-16, blames the French government, which had left orders for remitting such armament to the 'head to be legally recognized.' None such appearing to Bazaine, he could not act otherwise than he did. A Juarist decree stamped all effects sold by the French army as just booty. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 2.
