Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/282

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262
MAXIMILIAN'S VACILLATION.

this the Austro-Mexicans had, in the early part of 1866, smothered the revolt led by Alatorre in the districts of Papantla and Misantla,[1] but with republican successes in Tamaulipas and Huasteca, Alatorre and others rose again, retaking their former stamping-ground and advancing against Jalapa, which surrendered in November.[2] Perote fell in January,[3] leaving to the French only a narrow strip by which to reach Vera Cruz. This was also the case in Puebla, where Figueroa hovered along the southern line of march, and other leaders along the northern, as far down as Huamantla.[4] In September Bazaine had the garrisons strengthened on either side from Tehuacan through Chalchicomula to Tlascala and Tulancingo, yet his opponents carried Pachuca in November:[5]

In the province of Mexico the republican spirit had been sustained, especially along the west borders. The hills encircling the valley — hitherto nestling-places for petty bands, which had ever made the route to Puebla unsafe[6] — now became the headquarters for the ever-growing guerrilla forces.[7] Cuautitlan was

  1. Mainly by the capitulation of Jan. 15th, with Major Schonowsky. Iglesias gives Alatorre 477 men against 1,500 of the imperialists. Liberal terms were granted, like those to the Huastecans. Le Saint, Guerre Mex., 156.
  2. Calderon was allowed to withdraw the small Austro-Mexican garrison to Puebla, Nov. 11th. Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 686; Pap. y Corr. Fam. Imp., 83– 100, 199-200; Cinco Mayo, Sept. 27, 1866.
  3. Aymard on Jan. 8th taking away the Austrian garrison, which had been closely pressed since its relief in Nov.
  4. Notably Col Rodriguez, who established himself at Los Llanos in Sept.
  5. Rodriguez' attack on Tlascala was repulsed Nov. 20, with assistance from San Martin, but Apam yielded. Tehuacan had to be reënforced against Figueroa, and Aymard, then commanding in Puebla, took up a position at Palmar with a strong force so as to render aid to either side. Col Dupin, whose contre-guerrillas guarded the coast, assumed the command in Vera Cruz. In Dec. Douay reached Puebla with his troops and assumed the command there. For his retreat thus far, see Elton's With the French, 169-72, 184; Niox, Expéd., 674-80, Diario Imp., Oct. 13, 1866, etc., and other journals.
  6. Among other victims were the Belgian envoy, Gen. Foury and his aid, Capt. D'Huart, bringing news of the coronation of Leopold II. They were attacked at Rio Frio on March 4, 1966. Their death created no little sensation. Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 84. The Mexican escort was accused of cowardice. Pap. y Corr. Fam. Imp., 179-81. Toluca was nearly captured by Régules in Aug.
  7. The Belgians were severely repulsed when at the close of Sept. they