torian of the French expedition, Puebla surrendered with 150 pieces of artillery. The number of prisoners is set down at 26 generals, 303 superior officers, 1,179 subalterns, and 11,000 rank and file.[1] Over 2,500 dragoons had escaped from Puebla during the operations. The French casualties, as given by Niox, were: killed, 18 officers, 167 rank and file; wounded, 79 officers and 1,039 rank and file, many of whom afterward died from the effects of their wounds. The same authority adds that 5,000 of the Mexican rank and file were made to serve in Marquez' army, 2,000 were employed in destroying barricades and intrenchments, and the rest were put to work on the railroad.
The siege of Puebla, though it ended in a success for the French, must be admitted to have shed no glory on their arms. No great military skill was displayed; and, indeed, it seems as if Forey's purpose had been to go on the Fabian plan, rather than to conquer the enemy by repeated hard blows. The siege was certainly prolonged beyond necessity, when we consider that the place was defended by a garrison of militiamen, whose officers, from the general-in-chief down, had not, with some exceptions, been educated for the profession of arms,[2] and that it had been hastily, and in a measure imperfectly, fortified to withstand the assaults of a powerful foreign army directed by scientific commanders.
- ↑ Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 282. There is considerable discrepancy on this point. Forey reported 26 generals, 225 superior officers, 800 subalterns, 16,000 rank and file, 150 cannons, a large quantity of muskets and ammunition. Almonte spoke of 26 or 28 generals, 1,200 officers, 12,000 men, 280 useful cannons, 10,000 muskets, and much ammunition. An officer of Marquez says that only 30 guns had been burst, and there were found over 200 guns, many muskets, and some ammunition. Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xvi. 472-3. A Mexican official list, made on the 17th of May, gives 21 generals, 280 superior officers, and about 1,120 subalterns. Diaz, Porf., Biog., 50-79. Negrete and Régules had escaped. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 636. Ortega stated that there were missiles, but no powder.
- ↑ It has been said that Juarez gave Ortega the command, though believing him incompetent for it, because the nation had come to look upon him as a great man. He hoped that what Ortega lacked of military skill would be supplied by some of his subordinates. A sinister purpose in connection with Ortega was also attributed to Juarez. Marquez de Leon, Mem. Póst., MS., 217-19.
