Ortega and Forey had a conference on the 19th, when the former assured the Frenchman that he would find the great mass of Mexicans resolute to defend the national honor. He was soon contradicted, however, by his ecclesiastical fellow-citizens; for on the same day, the cathedral of Puebla being in gala dress, they received the invaders, chanting a te deum, and with every demonstration of joy.[1] At the same time the field and company officers, including some of Ortega's aides-de-camp, were made to start, on foot and unarmed, for Vera Cruz; and on the next day Ortega and the generals received orders to prepare for departure on the 22d for France as prisoners.[2] Their journey was made in carriages closely guarded. At the town of Morelos, Ortega heard that his officers were treated by a French naval officer as convicts; that one captain had been shot, some prisoners allowed to starve, and other outrages committed.[3] He became very indignant, and determined to escape, whatever the consequences. His purpose was finally effected, though not until hundreds of his fellow-prisoners had got away. Most of the escapes were between Orizaba and Vera Cruz. Ortega, La Llave, Patoni, Pinzon, García, and Prieto liberated themselves at Orizaba; and Berriozábal, Antillon, Porfirio Diaz,[4] Ghilardi, Negrete, Caamaño, and others at different places.[5] So that by the time of embarkation at Vera Cruz the number of prisoners was greatly reduced.[6]
- ↑ See his Parte Gen., 215.
- ↑ It is alleged that this course was adopted because, most of the officers being old guerrillamen, it was dangerous to let them remain; 'exaltés et dangereux, étaient fort gênants.' Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 282.
- ↑ Among them the execution of a private, whose body was thrown on the road by which Ortega and his companions were to pass a few minutes later. The above-stated facts were communicated by Ortega from Zacatecas, Sept. 16, 1863. Parte Gen., 216-23.
- ↑ Diaz got away the day before the prisoners were despatched to Vera Cruz, and together with Berriozábal went to Mexico and tendered their services to the government. Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 193.
- ↑ The comforts and facilities afforded the prisoners by their countrymen at Orizaba angered their captors. Fifteen young women were for that reason imprisoned, of whom Guadalupe Talavera was long kept in durance. Iglesias, Interv., ii. 52-3.
- ↑ The number actually sent was 13 generals, 110 field-officers, 407 subal-
