iant Mendez, who had hitherto made the communication between San Luis Potosí and the gulf so difficult, fell during a successful raid on the magazines of Tantoyuquita, near Tampico.[1] A Mexican garrison having replaced the French at Tula, Aureliano Rivera managed to capture it early in May; and in conjunction with Armenta and other leaders, several entries were made into the Rio Verde and Jalpan districts, which encouraged Huasteca to cast off the yoke once more.[2] These movements tended to isolate Tampico; and after a close siege of two months, during which desertion and fever greatly reduced the garrison, the French surrendered the port to General Pavon, by honorable capitulation.[3] This was followed a month later by the surrender of Tuxpan;[4] so that Vera Cruz remained the only gulf port in imperial, or rather French, hands.[5]
The resolution to leave Matamoros to its fate rendered the occupation of Monterey of little value; but the emperor regarded it as the key to the north-eastern provinces, and in order to please him, the French deferred their departure till another garrison could be found. Discontented with their lot, and aware of the growing odds against them, Belgians as well as Mexicans refused to stay;[6] and on the 25th of July the
- ↑ They were burned, with a loss of $200,000. Gen. Garza took his place, although he had lately submitted to the empire. This occurred during the two opening months of the year.
- ↑ Huejutla was taken by the insurgents in the latter part of May, and although retaken by the Austrians in June, revolts in the rear compelled the latter to retire soon after.
- ↑ The garrison consisted of nearly 200 contre-guerrillas and 500 Mexicans, under Captain Langlois. The town and one fort were captured Aug. 1st. by Pavon, who commanded over 2,000 men. The Mexicans now dwindled by desertion to barely 100. Food and ammunition fell short, but the arrival of French vessels, while not sufficient to change materially the position of affairs, enabled Langlois to obtain a capitulation, with guarantee of arms and baggage. He reached Vera Cruz Aug. 10th. Le Saint, Guerre Mex., 176. The prefect de la Torre was assassinated, a deed ascribed by Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 113, to republican excesses.
- ↑ Whose garrison was taken by sea to Vera Cruz, Sept. 20th.
- ↑ Maximilian demanded reoccupation, but in view of the speedy departure of the French, and the land blockade, it was not thought advisable. Niox, Expéd., 611-14.
- ↑ Efforts to cut communication with the south grew more threatening every day. The Belgians also objected to a mixed occupation which gave any
