existed in Sinaloa that Corona, who had meanwhile been laying his plans, now resumed the campaign with a vigor that soon reduced the French battalion in this state to the immediate neighborhood of Mazatlan.[1]
Farther eastward, from Chihuahua to the gulf of Mexico, republican arms had met with a similarly varied fortune. The growing success of the federals in the United States created here a corresponding glow, with the hope that a portion of the surplus, or needless, northern armies would soon lend their aid to the sister cause.[2] As a result, the victories of the imperialists in this region were less overwhelming among the Juarists, and the spring of 1865 saw a number of leaders in the field, some menacing the eastern line of Durango, and others organizing forces in Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Negrete so far mustered the largest army, of about 2,000, with which he in March moved from the Rio Florido district into Coahuila, and took possession of Saltillo on April 9th,[3] and three days later of Monterey.[4]
From here he advanced against Matamoros, joined by Cortina, who thought the movement favorable for again changing sides[5] and by Carbajal, who, assisted
- ↑ Full details concerning these operations are given in my History of the North Mexican States, ii., based on original documents, local reports, and journals, and the works of Vigil y Hijar, Escudero, and others.
- ↑ This prospect was widely held forth, although not alluded to in the proclamations of Juarez to his patriots, for which see Méx., Boletin Ley., 1863-7, ii. 131-4, 222-5.
- ↑ The city had been taken on March 29th, by Col Aguirre, but the imperialists Olvera and Lopez coming from Monterey to the rescue, he had to abandon it. The republican governorship had passed from Galindo to A. S. Viesca, who before Vidaurri's usurpation had held the office. Iglesias, Revistas, iii. 204, 244, 288-9.
- ↑ Abandoned by the imperialists. The republicans claim to have found here 62 pieces of artillery. Many deserters joined them. Period. Ofic., and La Estrella de Occid., May 19, 1865.
- ↑ It must be stated, however, that he had made the change unaided, April 1st, taking with him his command of 400 horsemen and 70 infantry, and securing a lot of ammunition buried at Matamoros before he gave allegiance to the empire. This he claims to have done by force, a portion of his men driving back, on April 1lth, the imperial garrison, while another bore it off. His report, and the thanks accorded him, may be found in Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863 7, ii. 235-8.
son on Malape was repulsed by Gen. J. G. Morales, who now figures as republican governor.
