republicans, who admitted a loss of 2,000 in killed and wounded, besides several hundred prisoners.[1]
Arellano, whose prompt and spirited action had probably saved the day, was made a general, and the rare bronze medal for valor was bestowed upon the leading officers, gold and silver medals being distributed among the lower ranks. At the conclusion of this ceremony, Miramon took a bronze medal and asked permission of the emperor to decorate him in the name of the army, as worthy above all to receive the token, for his fearless conduct, noble endurance, and self-denying and sympathizing participation in the dangers and hardships of his soldiers. Deeply affected, Maximilian accepted it, and wore the medal ever after as the most valued of his decorations.[2]
After this the republicans decided to waste no more blood in regular assaults, but to await the fall of the securely invested city by starvation, while submitting it to a continual bombardment. The latter proved not an unalloyed torment, however, for the missiles were welcomed by the besieged as additions to their scanty war material, rewards being paid to those who brought them in[3] The energetic Arellano, chief of artillery, had established factories for powder and projectiles, assisted by the stock of raw material in the warehouses, and by that obtained from church-bells,
- ↑ Arias places the latter at mas de 200.' Ensayo, 170. The repulse of Palacio, not acknowledged as a defeat, was attributed as a consequence of Martinez' rout. Basch, ii. 71, puts the captives at 400, and Salm-Salm the dead at 1,500, the imperial losses being comparatively small, owing to the position of the republican lines, which prevented a free play of their fire-arms, and to their reliance on the bayonet. Diary, i. 98-9. He speaks highly of Malburg's charge with a body of cavalry. Riva Palacio alone is assumed to have brought 10,000 men against the Casa Blanca line.
- ↑ So far he had worn the knight cross of the Guadalupe and Eagle orders. The medal was accompanied by an appropriate letter signed by the commanding generals. Basch, Erin., ii. 78-9, 92-3. On the 24th an attack had also been made on the convent, which the emperor repulsed, not without danger, for a grenade exploded close to him. On such occasions le bore himself with a coolness that surprised the bravest. Arellano speaks very modestly of his own deed, Ultimas Horas, 109; but Hans, Quer., 120, among others, accords due credit.
- ↑ At the rate of two reales for cannon-balls, says Basch. Salm-Salm, i. 75, allows a dollar for shells and half a dollar for a shot.
