Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/293

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AT QUERÉTARO.
273

points were withdrawn, giving them a garrison of 5,000 men, which could be swelled by further impressment. Puebla had half that number, under the aged Noriega, and another force stood locked up at Vera Cruz and in Yucatan.

Maximilian reached Querétaro on the 19th, and was received with the enthusiasm to be expected from one of the stanchest of imperial cities, and withal of

Plan of Querétaro.

strong clerical proclivities.[1] The vicissitudes of war had restricted him to this spot as the most northerly rendezvous and headquarters, although a better one

  1. His party had two skirmishes on the way, one with Tragoso, near Cuautitlan, the other near Calpulalpan, in both of which Maximilian freely exposed himself to danger. Miramon and other generals came forth to meet him at Querétaro, and the city appeared in gala attire. During the reception ceremonies Gen. Escobar closed his speech with the declaration that posterity would undoubtedly bestow upon the emperor the glorious title of Maximilian the Great. Basch, ii. 2. Salm-Salm observes that Maximilian's horse stumbled on entering the place — omen enough to settle his fate.