In accordance with Maximilian's wishes, his body was embalmed[1] and sent to Mexico, to the chapel San Andrés, to be held till a formal requisition arrived from Austria.[2] Armed with this, Vice-admiral Tegetthoff received it in November, and carried it home on the Novara, the same vessel which three years before had conveyed the unfortunate man to his adopted country and his doom.[3]
- ↑ By Rivadeneyra and Licea, the former inspector-general of the army medical corps, the latter the betrayer of Miramon. The operation was difficult, owing to lack of proper means, as reported June 27th, when concluded. Arias, Reseña, 709–10. Salm-Salm speaks of indecent treatment of the body by Licea and ultra-liberal officers. Diary, i. 312-13. The embalmment is claimed to have been good. Diar. Ofic., Nov. 10, 1867. The doubt expressed in Hall's Life Max., 306, is set aside by Basch, Erinn., ii. 224; Manero, Rel., 2.
- ↑ Maximilian had ordered its surrender to Baron Magnus and Dr Basch, Erin., 208, 216, but the government desired to be relieved more formally of the charge. It was sent from Querétaro at the end of August. The beard and hair were reduced by relic-hunters, black glass eyes replaced the natural blue ones, and the body was dressed in blue campaign coat with gilt buttons, military boots, black tie and gloves. The cedar coffin was lined with zinc, and covered with black velvet banded with gold lace. The head, visible through a glass panel, rested on a black velvet cushion with gilt tassels. Diar. Ofic., Nov. 10, 1867. Later a fine granadilla coffin was provided. Vice-admiral Tegetthoff arrived in Aug. and demanded the corpse on behalf of the family; but coming in no official character, he had to wait till a formal application arrived from Chancellor Beust. For correspondence on the subject, see Max., Causa, 454-64; Arias, 708–16; Max., Mem., 105-13, etc. The bodies of Miramon and Mejía were surrendered to their families.
- ↑ The admiral was attended to Vera Cruz by a cavalry escort of 100 men. Here a ceremonious reception was accorded at the draped parish church. On Nov. 26th the Novara left the harbor by way of Habana, where imposing demonstrations took place. Concerning the funeral in Austria, see Constit., Nov. 13, 1867, Jan. 11, 28, Feb. 15, Mar. 12, 20, 1868; Diario Ofic., Apr. 15, May 7, July 8, 1868, etc. Maximilian had requested that his body should be deposited by the side of Charlotte, but she still lived her living death, and it was placed in the imperial vault. In Nov. 1870 a statue was unveiled to his memory at Hietzing, near Schönbrunn, Austria, Napoleon subscribing to it among others. Voz Méj., Jan. 16, 1872; Federal, Jan. 6, 1872; Monitor, Jan. 17, 1869. Dr Licea had kept a lot of clothing, hair, and
account, Hall, and Salm-Salm declare that he received a coup-de-grace, and uttered the word 'hombre.' Some will even have two final shots. Others assume that he died without a struggle, on the authority of Basch, who writes that he had been penetrated by six bullets, fired at a short distance, three striking the breast with deadly effect, one the heart. The face remained untouched. Basch, Erin., ii. 219-20. But it has not been clearly shown that one of these bullets was not the final one. Salm-Salm claims five bullets for the first fire, and that notwithstanding all the Mexican doctors indicated a bullet near the spine, probably the last. Diary, ii. 128. Era una alma grande!' exclaimed the colonel in command, on returning to Basch. The mourning in Querétaro was very general, especially among women, says Salm-Salm, and relics were eagerly sought, and so says Hall, Life Max., 295, 297, 301. A monument was raised on the hill in latter years. Diario Ofic., Mar. 23, 1881.
