contribution and the supposed diversion created among the republicans, he retired to join Castillo, who had made a movement toward San Luis Potosí.[1] Unfortunately for him, Escobedo, commanding the republican army of the north, divined his intentions and intercepted him at San Jacinto on the 1st of February, attacking with a skill and determination that led to a complete rout. Escobedo stained his achievement with the wanton execution of a vast number of prisoners, notably a hundred French soldiers.[2] Miramon arranged to join Castillo with a few followers and took refuge in Querétaro. Guanajuato had already fallen.[3] Morelia followed in the crash,[4] and now from Michoacan northward to the borders of San Luis Potosí the imperialists fell back to Querétaro, where the fortunes of the empire were to be decided.
In order to counteract the discouraging effect of Miramon's defeat and other disasters, Maximilian was persuaded to place himself at the head of the army, a
- ↑ Yet it has been generally assumed that the news of approaching troops led Miramon to retire. He would have been cut off had he remained.
- ↑ The blame for this was widely laid on Bazaine because of his recall of French soldiers who had enlisted under Maximilian, depriving of French protection those who remained. Escobedo excuses himself partly by pointing to excesses by these men at Zacatecas. Arias, Reseña, 114-18, 352. In this work is given a plan of the battle. Salm-Salm gives an elaborate account of needless cruelties attending the execution. Diary, i. 37-8. Miramon's brother Joaquin was shot, though half dead with wounds. The general had not counted on the improved discipline of the republicans. His own men were partly impressed, and many showed signs of defection; 700 of them were incorporated with the victorious army. Diar. Imp., Feb. 6, 13, 1866, etc.; Estrella, Voz, etc. '(8ᵉ régiment de cavalerie) qui tralhit,' bought by Escobedo. D'Héricault, Max., 105-6; Arellano, Ult. Horas, 24-8.
- ↑ Captured Jan. 26th by Antillon and Rincon, Liceaga escaping with a remnant of his 600 or 800 men to Querétaro. The prisoners are variously given at from 150 to 400. Estrella de Occid., Mar. 1, 1867, etc. Gen. Guzman was the new Juarist governor. Arias, Reseña, 103-7, 112. Herrera attacked Castillo on the way at La Quemada, and was defeated — an imprudence by which Escobedo failed to intercept the latter, and then capture Querétaro ere succor came. Id., 122.
- ↑ Corona had compelled Chacon to evacuate Colima by honorable capitulation Feb. 1st. The 300 men chosen to accompany Chacon to the nearest imperial army deserted. In Michoacan Régules had in Jan. made Pátzcuaro his headquarters and begun to encircle Morelia after taking Zamora, whereupon Mendez thought it better to mass his troops with these collecting at Querétaro, influenced by the defeat of Miramon. He left Feb. 13th with nearly 4,000 men. Hans, Queret., 9 et seq.; Estrella de Occid., Mar. 15, 22, 29, 1867; Diar. Imp., Feb. 20, etc.
