Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress, Part III
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information of the government of the United States, copies of documents specified in the annexed index, showing the condition of affairs at latest dates in the oriental military division of the Mexican republic.
I accept the opportunity to repeat to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
Index of documents sent by the Mexican legation in Washington to the Department of State of the United States, with the note of this date, in relation to occurences on the oriental line.
| No. | Date. | Address. | Contents. |
| 1866. | |||
| 1 | May 16 | General Garcia to the President | A statement of recent events on the eastern line. |
| 2 | May 15 | General Garcia to the minister of war. | Saying the line south of Vera Cruz was invaded on the 24th of March last, and explaining the situation of affairs. |
| 3 | May 15 | General Garcia to the minister of war. | Official report of the victory at Tonala, in the State of Tobasco. |
| 4 | May 15 | General Garcia to the minister of war. | Official report of the victory of Sayaltepec, by General Figueroa. |
| 5 | May 15 | General Garcia to the minister of war. | Official report of General Diaz on the victory of Janultepec. |
| 6 | May 15 | General Garcia to the minister of war | News of General Diaz’s victory at Putla, in the State of Oaxaca. |
No. 1.
[Translation.]
Sir: My fears, so often expressed to you, have been realized. As you will see in my official note of to-day to the minister of war, this coast was invaded after the 24th of March last, and from that time till now I have had to contend with a thousand difficulties in its defence 1 have needed forces; I have been in want of arms, because I could get them at no price here, and our minister in Washington could not send me any, though often requested; and so I have not been able to escape from the false position in which I am placed.
Fortunately the enemy has committed errors, and was compelled to disband the forces brought to Tlacotalpam. Thanks to the patriotism of the inhabitants, to the bravery of my chiefs and soldiers, to our constant efforts in overcoming obstacles, our present position is not bad, and I have good hopes that the national arms will once more triumph in this line, if fortune does not desert us hereafter.
The enemy has the advantage over us in cannons and other elements of war, as long as he remains on a plain bounded by a large river; but it cannot be said that his situation is excellent, because the courage of our soldiers makes up for want of munitions, and we have absolutely penned the enemy in the town of Tlacotalpam, where he has to hide in his trenches. All the inhabitants have gone to the surrounding towns and villages, so the enemy has nobody to govern there. All the approaches have been cut off by land or water; and as the water of the river in front of the town is salt, they have, to drink that or the dirty well-water. Steamers cannot come down the river, for our forces attack them from the banks. We have [Page 161] forces on the road from Tlacotalpam to Alvarado, that fire on every boat that passes on the river, so none but war steamers can now go up or down. On the banks of the river opposite Tlacotalpam we have forces to annoy the enemy with cannons and rifles; and on the west of the town, where our encampment is situated, we harass the enemy seriously. I assure you we give him no time to sleep or rest, and I am told he is becoming desperate. Mariano Camacho is at the head of the hostile forces in Tlacotalpam, resisting all these annoyances. It seems he is determined to hold out to the last and perish under the ruins of the city. It is now rumored he will soon receive orders to withdraw, and I think he will have to give up at any rate, even if the rainy season, now beginning, does not compel us to quit the low grounds we now occupy.
Fortunately on other parts of the line we are doing well. Peace prevails in Tabasco and Chiapas despite the reports of an invasion from Yucatan. There is no probability of it now, however, and you will see by my report of to-day to the minister of war that our forces, on the 17th ultimo, recovered the district of Tonala from the imperialists. You will also see an account of the late victories of Generals Diaz and Figueroa, at Mexteca and Sayaltepec; these, I think, will induce the evacuation of Tlacotalpam.
I have no time for more, but remain yours truly,
Señor Don Benito Juarez, President of the Mexican Republic.
No. 2.
[Translation.]
MEXICAN REPUBLIC—HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN LINE.
On the 24th of March last, after many rumors of invasion in the line south of Vera Cruz, said to be formidable and commanded by General Count Thun, four large and one small French steamers appeared before Tlacotalpam, and a force of infantry and artillery came from Omealca, the number of which I could not ascertain at the time. I have never had enough forces to resist an invasion, and have constantly been in need of arms. This was well known to the government, for I applied to the President of the republic frequently, since May of last year, to send me arms, as I could not get them here. So, fearing to be overpowered by the enemy, and hemmed in, as I was, on the left bank of the Papaloapam by steamers and land forces, I determined to cross the river, which I did on the 25th of March, with all the forces I had scattered about Estanguela, Cosamaloapam, and Tlacotalpam. This was fortunate, as the enemy’s land forces reached Cosamaloapam on the 26th, and steamers began to ply on the river below Tlacotalpam; and if we had not crossed when we did we could not have crossed afterwards.
I formed a line of defence on the right bank of the Papaloapam, from Chacaltianguiz to Santiago Tuxtla; one column of infantry on the right, and one at San Nicolas as a central point; another as a reserve in Nopalapam, with the cavalry in front, ready for any movement of the enemy if he should pursue me in my retreat.
The forces of Acayucam and Minatitlan remained in their cantons, to prevent an incursion of the enemy on that side, and those to the north of this coast remained in their positions to defend us from a flank movement.
My line of defence thus established, I set to work, making use of every mode of defence. Fifteen days passed and the enemy did not appear. Learning that he had only 1,200 men in Tlacotalpam, and that a number of them had been sent to Vera Cruz, I recrossed the Papaloapam and fixed my headquarters in this town, extending my forces from San Geronimo to Cosamaloapam, and began to harass the enemy, now fortified in Tlacotalpam.
I next moved my camp to a place two leagues to the west of that city, out of the reach of the gunboats that might come up the river to bombard it.
All my forces are now in this camp, except those of Cocinte, Minatitlan, and Acayucam; and we constantly annoy them in the town. Now the enemy is confined to the town limits.
I wish to force an evacuation of the place, without risking an assault, as four steamers are anchored in front of the town to defend it.
But if the rainy season comes on, and the enemy has not left the town, I shall be compelled to attack it, as it is the only place the water does not cover during the rains; and as all the inhabitants have left, I must retake it and let them return to their homes.
It is scarcely necessary to tell you I have not the elements for a war of this kind, because you know it already; but fate has placed me here and I must assume the responsibility. If I fail it will not be by my fault, for I have asked aid of the government more than once. But fortune must favor the patriotism, the self-denial, and bravery of the loyal Mexicans I have under my command.
The Minister of War, at El Paso del Norte.
No. 3.
[Translation.]
MEXICAN REPUBLIC—HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN LINE.
Citizen Minister: On the 17th of last month the governor and military commander of the State of Tabasco wrote me as follows:
“It is four o’clock in the afternoon, and the garrison of Tonata has surrendered at discretion after an obstinate contest, with a guarantee of life and liberty. Unfortunately the victory was not gained without a struggle; we lost several men and officers. I will report the number of killed and wounded as soon as it can be ascertained. In granting life and liberty to the enemy, I think I have acted in accordance with Mexican clemency and generosity, but if there is anything else against me, I am ready to repel the charges. I have the honor to rejoice with you over this victory, which gives us an important place, with its artillery, arms, munitions and other necessaries. Accept the assurance of my appreciation and respect.
I have the honor to transmit the communication for the information of the President of the republic, felicitating him upon this new honor to the valiant sons of Tabasco, whom I have already ordered to be thanked, in the name of the supreme government, for this brilliant feat of arms.
The Minister of War.
No. 4.
[Translation.]
MEXICAN REPUBLIC—HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN LINE.
Citizen Minister: Citizen General Luis P. Figueroa writes me from Sayaltepec, April 27, as follows:
“Long live the republic! Twelve hundred Austrians and traitors, with two four-pound rifled cannons and three twelve-pound mountain howitzers, came within my lines as far as Sayaltepec on the 30th of March last. After a severe battle of six hours they were defeated, and they retreated to Tocatlan, where they were harassed by our troops till re-enforcements joined them with munitions. On the 23d they attacked us again, but had to retreat, with many killed, wounded, and missing, as in the battle of the 30th.
“They returned on the 25th, marched out their best troops, and offered battle. They were again repulsed, after cannonading us for five hours. On this occasion, as on the others, their loss was considerable.
“We collected ninety rifles, ten muskets, three cornets; sixty killed, fifteen prisoners, and nine wounded. Our loss was slight.”
I transmit this communication to you for the information of the President of the republic.
The Citizen Minister of War, Paso del Norte.
No. 5.
[Translation.]
MEXICAN REPUBLIC—HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN LINE.
Citizen Minister: General Porfirio Diaz, chief of this line, under date of the 30th of April last, writes me as follows:
“I have the honor to inform you that, on my arrival at Jamiltepec, the enemy, to the number of more than seven hundred men, with two pieces of artillery, having heard of my coming, left the place. I immediately ordered General Leyva in pursuit, and, although he did not succeed in overtaking him, he collected more than four hundred arms and much ammunition. I also ordered the prefect of Jamiltepec to gather up whatever the enemy had left along the road.”
I transmit this communication to you for the information of the President of the republic.
The Citizen Minister of War.
No. 6.
[Translation.]
MEXICAN REPUBLIC—HEADQUARTERS OF THE EASTERN LINE.
Citizen Minister: General Luis P. Figueroa, in a private letter of the 28th of April last, writes me as follows:
“Since my last letter of this date, in relation to General Porfirio Diaz, I have seen another dated the 14th instant, in Putla, the tenor of which is as follows:
‘Putla, April 14, 1866.
‘As I said, I began my operations in Mistecas. To-day I took possession of Putla, surprising the enemy, who made no resistance. The Spaniard Ceballos was at the head of the forces on a hill. I ordered a part of my cavalry to attack them, which was done, routing them completely, and pursuing them till dark. We took seventy rifles, twenty-one muskets, thirty lances, and forty horses with saddles, from the enemy. He had seventeen killed and lost twenty-three prisoners. As I have no time, you will please forward this to General Garcia.’
“I send you this for the purpose above mentioned.”
I have the honor to make the above communication to you for the information of the government, which will no doubt be pleased to hear of the progress of General Diaz, whom the enemy has so often destroyed.
The Citizen Minister of War, Paso del Norte.