 | Replaced smudged text from [1] — Ineuw (talk) 16:51, 8 April 2020 (UTC) |
and many reactionists were imprisoned. The district of Mexico was placed under martial law, and Juan J. Baz appointed governor. Generals Parrodi, Uraga, and Rosas Landa were given commands. The reactionists under Leonardo Marquez actually invaded the capital, reaching San Cosme and San Fernando.
At the moment of the invasion, congress was sitting, and the president, Blas Balcárcel requested the representatives not to forsake their post. Colonel Porfirio Diaz was permitted, however, at his own request, to leave the chamber for the purpose of aiding in the defence, and in a few moments joined his old comrades of Oajaca at the corner of San Fernando, where a stout resistance was being made by Ignacio Mejía's brigade. He arrived just as Mejía was sending to the hospital wounded his last field-officer. After severe fighting the enemy was driven away,[1] Fleeing in disorder by the place where the railroad station now is, and along the whole length of the San Cosme causeway. Thus ended the attempt of Marquez, who was pursued by cavalry several miles in the valley. The next day Diaz was placed in charge of the brigade, Mejía being ill, and ordered to join Ortega's command, to pursue the rebels who had gone to the south of Mexico. After marching and countermarching about two months, the liberal force came up with the enemy. Diaz and others were directed to keep their attention occupied, while a strong column of 4,000 men struck the blow. Diaz surprised Marquez in the town of Jalatlaco on the 13th of August, between 10 and 11 o'clock at night, and after some hours' fighting, routed him, capturing his artillery and baggage trains.[2]
Several undecisive fights occurred between liberals
- ↑ His last stand had been in the plazuela of Buenavista. Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 143-4.
- ↑ It is understood that Marquez' army was of nearly 4,000 men and 14 generals. This victory had a most encouraging effect among the liberals, who hailed it as a forerunner of future triumphs. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 622; Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 145-7; Le Trait d Union, Aug. 16-26, 1861; Ortega, Parte de la Jornada de Jalatlaco, 1-8.
