Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/145

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DOBLADO AND MEJÍA.
125

Colotlan and took four score prisoners, including General Ghilardi. The latter, being a fugitive from Puebla, after the capitulation, was shot.[1] A similar fate befell Chavez, the late governor of Aguascalientes, who during the following month made a raid on Malpaso hacienda, and allowed his followers to kill a number of women and children.[2] A detachment pursued him to Jerez, and captured the place with considerable slaughter.[3]

In the Pinos district, eastward, several guerrilla bands were driven back into the Sierra Hermosa, where Ortega was holding forth with nearly 3,000 men, gathering tribute from mines, and awaiting the opportunity for effective demonstration. This he lost by failing to coöperate with Doblado, who, in the middle of May, descended from Monterey upon Matehuala, where Mejía had been stationed since January. Advised of the movement, the latter obtained French reënforcements under Colonel Aymard, commandant at San Luis Potosí, and Doblado met with a reception as unexpected as it was hot. Within a few hours he found himself completely routed, with a loss of nearly 1,200 prisoners and all his artillery.[4] The blow overthrew all Juarist plans for a while, and Doblado felt it so severely that he left the country within a few weeks for the United States, where he died a year later.[5] Mejía was gratified by the

  1. He defended Acapulco in Jan. 1863, against Admiral Bouet, and fought at San Luis Potosí, as we have seen. 'Asesinato' is the term applied by republicans to his execution. Lefêvre, Doc. Maximiliano, i. 334.
  2. Certain republican sources will admit only that the place took fire during the attack, and charge that the Mexican rabble in the French wake did such deeds at Jerez, whither Chavez retired. La Estrella de Occid., June 10, 1864. Zamacois assumes that the deed was committed by a rebellious band of his party. Hist. Méj., xvii. 111. Of course the Periód. Ofic., April 3, 1864, paints it stronger.
  3. A widely signed petition was presented in his behalf, pleading his age, family connections, and great services for his state; but in vain. Seven others were likewise executed.
  4. The victors place Doblado's forces at 6,000, with 18 cannon. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 371. Iglesias reduces them to 2,000. Revistas, 366. The battle took place May 17th, Antillon leading the troops, assisted by Carbajal. Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7, 47-9; La Voz de Méj., May 22, June 7, 1864.
  5. June 19, 1805. He remained ever true to the cause, as may be judged