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 enclose to you, for the information of the government of the United States, a copy of No. 16 of the official paper of the government of the Mexican republic, dated the 17th of May last, embracing two communications from General Corona, chief of the brigades of Sinaloa and [Page 171] Jalisco, dated the 21st and 23d of March last, containing his official report of the advantages gained by the national forces in the first of those states mentioned over the French forces and interventionists, from the 18th to the 22d of the month mentioned, in the vicinity of Mazatlan, and the answer of the minister of war to those communications on the 9th of May last. The annexed paper also contains a communication from the governor of the state of Sinaloa, dated 7th of April last, transmitting a note of General Corona giving an account of other advantages over the interventionists at Gaudalupe, and the minister of war’s answer thereto, General Don Ignacio Mejia, in the president’s name.
You will also find in the same paper the official report of General Garcia Morales, governor and military commander of the state of Sonora, on the taking of Magdalena, a town of that state, garrisoned by interventionists.
I accept the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
Republican Army–United brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco–General-in-Chief.
On the 18th instant the enemy, to the number of four hundred French and six hundred traitors made their appearance. Commander Miramontes drove them back from Urias to Castillo. Commander Pintado marched out with a squad of the liberty guides to reconnoitre and protect Miramontes. He met the enemy at Quemado, a vanguard of traitors and African hunters, and drove him back to Castillo, killing six, picking up two muskets, two lances, and a sword; we losing one second sergeant killed, and one first slightly wounded. The enemy remained at Castillo that night, and Commander Pintado continued his reconnoissance in front.
On the 19th the enemy set out for Presidio, and I started towards Quemado, by Mariel, with the first and second sections of the Ligera Mixta, to flank him. We reached the main road by noon, and found the enemy had passed. Lieutenant Colonel Parra, with a part of Ramirez’s corps, brought up the rear, together with the second brigade and the Guias de Jalisco. Before reaching the river we learned that the enemy had encamped on its banks. I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Parra to take a circuit to the river, and General Gutierrez to do the same by another route. They both reached the river at two o’clock in the afternoon without accident, and found themselves facing the enemy in Persidio. On our approach a column of French rifles marched down the bank of the river in front of us. I re-enforced Parra with a company of Guias de Jalisco, and ordered him to charge the enemy on the right flank, which he did with so much spirit that the traitors were repulsed with the loss of many killed, and, among them, the famous assassin Mauricio Castañeda. The second brigade, with two mountain howitzers, attacked the centre. The Ramirez brigade fell on the left flank of the enemy, and, after a hard contest, succeeded in driving him to the suburbs, breaking his line of battle. Want of ammunition caused the attacking party some anxiety, until it was supplied by the first brigade. The attack was now renewed with such force the French were forced into the town, where Colonel Tolentino compelled them to capitulate. While negotiations were pending the enemy was re-enforced, and our troops had to retire precipitately, leaving two howitzers in the enemy’s possession. I withdrew to take care of my wounded, and ordered Colonel Parra and Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Tolentino to annoy the enemy, supported by General Gutierrez.
As I have no reports yet, I cannot say how many men we have lost, but I know our loss is considerable. Among our officers, Lieutenant Colonel George Granados, Commander Miguel Peregrina, Captain Geronimo Saavedra, and Lieutenant Tiburcio Serrano were wounded. The enemy’s loss is great, for I have seen many dead French and traitors on the field. Most of the traitors scattered, and twenty-three have come into my lines.
There was a slight skirmish about night. Commander Donato Guerra reports that he attacked the enemy at Palos Prietos, and drove him into the town.
On the morning of the 20th Commander Pintado attacked the enemy near Aguacaliente, and drove him from his trenches, with the loss of only six killed. Firing of artillery and musketry was continued during the day. At night the traitors and French tried to water some horses at the river, but we drove them away, killing three of them.
[Page 172]You will inform the minister of war that I will give a detailed report as soon as I can get the necessary information.
Citizen Governor of the State, Culiacan.
[Translation.]
REPUBLICAN ARMY—UNITED BRIGADES OF SINALOA AND JALISCO—GENERAL-IN-CHIEF.
Citizen Governor: I have already given an account of events at Presidio up to the evening of the 20th instant. There was a little firing that night. On the morning of the 21st the enemy again approached the river and was driven back with no loss on our side. The next day there was a skirmish in which we lamented the loss of our brave Commander, C. Juan Miramontes.
At seven in the evening the enemy attracted our attention in several places, and finally escaped towards Balamo, along the river road. At eight all our line was on the move, and I ordered Colonel Francisco Tolentino, with a part of his corps, to cut off the enemy’s retreat, which he did; however, the land was so broken and the enemy’s hurry so great, he managed to get by, and we had to follow him with the cavalry, under Colonel Eulogio Parra and Commander Leonardo Pintado, a league beyond the river.
The narrowness of the road prevented the effective action of the cavalry. In view of this, I ordered a portion of the infantry in front, under Captain Noriega and Commander C. Ascencion G. Calvillo, as aid. They pursued the flying enemy till five in the morning, when we stopped to rest, as our forces were much fatigued, and the enemy had got under shelter of their gunboats. He left three dead. We lost two men at Balamo, and Captain Maximiano Ramirez was wounded; further on, another soldier was wounded, and before we arrived at the river bank one of our men was killed and two wounded in the Degollano battalion. After setting fire to some houses in Presidio, and destroying a cotton factory, the enemy retreated rapidly, closely pursued by our men, and left the following effects on the road: 7 loads of ammunition, 98 muskets, 2 mountain pieces, 15 sacks of flour, sugar, bread and coffee, 5 loads of baggage, 27 harnessed mules, and 5 horses.
On my return to Presidio I orderd the tents to be struck, and 82 bodies to be buried; 61 of these were republicans, whose name, rank, and station are on the list; 76 were wounded, which I sent to the hospital. These events happened from the 19th to the 22d of the present month. You will perceive that the number of killed and wounded is about equal; but I account for this by hearing that the enemy took no prisoners, for the 15 that were taken from us on the 19th were shot as soon as all important information could be extorted from them.
400 French and 600 traitors left the port with six mountain howitzers and one field-piece; and 250 French, with 77 wounded, and 250 traitors, with 20 wounded and 3 field-pieces, left Presidio at the same time.
I am trying to find if the missing pieces are buried or hid in the thicket. The French at the port speak in terror of the bravery of our soldiers, and in fact I must say they all did their duty.
I send you this communication for the information of the war department.
Citizen Governor of the State, Culiacan.
[Translation. ]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, OFFICE OF WAR AND MARINE—SECTION FIRST.
By your communications of the 21st and 23d of March of this year from the chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco, the citizen president of the republic is informed of the military operations on the 18th and 22d of this month, in which 400 French and 600 traitors, with six pieces of artillery, were driven out of Mazatlan and pursued as far as Presidio.
The persevering courage of our troops in pursuit of the enemy as far as Presidio, causing him great loss, has broken up his intended expedition into the interior, and been of signal service to the national cause. The enemy must now be convinced that it is impossible to subjugate us, as the patriotism of true Mexicans cannot be extinguished.
[Page 173]The success of the strategy of the general-in-chief of the united brigades of the Sinaloa and Jalisco, and the worthy conduct of his subalterns in the different engagements, shows that the expedition has been properly conducted, and the triumphant result gives great satisfaction to the citizen president, who instructs me to congratulate you, and give you his most cordial thanks.
Citizen Governor and Military Commander of the State of Sinaloa, Culiacan.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY COMMANDANCY OF THE STATE OF SINALOA.
The citizen general-in-chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco makes the following communication to this government, from the Labor estate, on the 6th instant:
General Guzman writes me on the 24th ultimo that his brigade was surprised in Guajicori, at eight o’clock in the morning, by a large body of Lozada’s traitors, and the town was set on fire for the fourth time. He has not yet given me an account of his losses. On the 27th he writes me from Agua Caliente that all his scattered forces have not yet been collected; that he laments the loss of Major Francisco Cruz Peña, Santos Flores, lieutenant of the fourth company of the Pueblos Unidos battalion, and twelve men, names unknown. He does not know the enemy’s loss, though he saw several new graves near the Guajicori church, and knows that one corpse was carried as far as Acaponeta. He says 500 Indians from Nayarit came down to join him on the 26th. On the 29th Lozada entered Rosario with 2,000 men and a battery of field-pieces.
Lieutenant Colonel Donato Guerra reports on the same day that he had a skirmish with the enemy at the port of Mazatlan, a short time before he left.
Six or seven hundred French and traitors, with four pieces of artillery, left the port on the 30th and camped at Palos Prietos. The next day they went to Higueras, and Lozada left Rosario for Agua Caliente.
While the enemy was taking all these turns, I missed several good opportunities for a fight.
At seven in the evening of the 31st I saw the citizen governor of the state, who had just come by forced marches from Culiacan. I consulted with him about the situation, and we agreed to attack Lozada on his march. Munitions arrived at ten at night, and our troops were supplied. The citizen governor started for Verde with forces to attack Lozada, and I set out towards Siqueros, to cut off the French.
On the 1st instant, at five in the morning, our scouts reported that the French from the port were advancing upon Siqueros. I ordered Colonel Farra to send Lieutenant Colone Manuel Crespo, with a part of the Ramirez corps under Becerra, to verde, and commanded Lieutenant Colonel Donato Guerra to watch the port with Crespo. General Gutierrez started towards Verde with the second brigade, but learned from General Rubi on the way that Lozada had entered Concordia, five leagues from Verde, on the morning of the 10th.
It was noon, and our forces had not concentrated. Colonel Crespo informed me that the enemy had encamped in front of Siqueros, five leagues from Verde, and our advance was in sight. It was agreed to attack Lopada in Concordia, and Noriega was sent to join Crespo with his infantry. Before reaching Concordia, General Rubi branched off to the left with a part of the first brigade and one cannon, and the Guias de Jalisco, to flank the enemy. General Gutierrez kept the main road with part of the second brigade, two cannons, the rest of the Ramirez corps, the Guias de la Libertad and the Hernandez corps. I followed General Gutierrez.
At six in the evening General Rubi began the attack on the left flank. General Gutierrez’s column made an advance and established a battery that did good execution. The Degollado battalion threatened the right flank, and the rest of the infantry charged upon the centre boldly. The cavalry then came into action, and rushed so desperately upon the enemy that in less than one hour he scattered and left us masters of the town.
Night now came on, and as it was very dark, and our soldiers might fire on each other by mistake, I ordered General Rubi to beat a retreat in good order. This was elegantly executed under the direction of Colonel Alejandro Hernandez and Lieutenant Colonel Abel Pereira, both of my staff. The ground was so uneven here, I ordered part of the cavalry to Jacobo, and the rest, with the infantry, to Copola, postponing the attack indefinitely, as I knew the enemy was to be re-enforced the next morning.
Our losses are insignificant; but we have to lament the death of the brave and distinguished General José M. Gutierrez, chief of the second brigade, and of the valiant Colonel Onofre Campaña, from Cosala, leader of the Victoria battalion. I don’t know the enemy’s loss; but it must be considerable, though half of the force scattered in dismay. I will give the particulars as soon as obtained.
The report of artillery on the 2d, in the direction of Siqueros, informed me that the enemy [Page 174] was resisting our troops in that quarter; so I ordered General Rubi to their assistance with infantry, while I went towards Bajio with the cavalry in the evening. Colonel Parra informed me that same day, the 2d, that he arrived at Jacobo at the same time with the Pameco battalion, under Colonel Martinez. Lozado attacked them at two that day with cavalry and infantry, but was routed and pursued as long as the ammunition held out. The enemy’s killed are found all along the road from Jacobo as far as the pursuit lasted. We only had two soldiers killed. After a slight skirmish with the French that day, Crespo retired to Parras while they retreated to Cofradia, where they camped. Our men then returned to Siqueros.
On the morning of the 3d the French advanced upon Siqueros, but were driven back to Cofradia. One traitor was made prisoner. The French retreated next day to Presidio.
Colonel Guerra informed on the 4th that he approached the port the day before and provoked an attack from the enemy, with no bad results. He also says the French had joined Lozada, but their combined force is greatly demoralized.
That evening Guerra had a skirmish with the enemy at Palos Prietos. The gunboat Lucifer came up and our men had to retreat.
The same chief reports that on the morning of the 5th the French and Lozada were at Presidio, Pozole, and Garita; Lozada’s forces so demoralized he could do nothing with them. Up to the last account Guerra’s advance was at Palos Prietos, while he remained at Venadillo. A report from the same chief says that Captain Zuñiga, of the Miramontes corps, gave notice that the enemy was encamped at Urias and Castillo. Guerra was preparing to attack the port the next day; but learning that the French were advancing in force upon him, he retreated with the loss of one soldier, and the French re-enforcements succeeded in getting to the port.
As soon as I can ascertain the number of my killed and wounded, I will make an official report, from the 1st to the 5th.
I cannot be partial in the recommendation of my officers, for they have all done their duty; their courageous behavior has forced respect from the invaders, and has won the admiration of every republican. I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of the inhabitants of the districts invaded by the hordes of Lozada. With the single exception of Rosario and Zavala, all the inhabitants left their houses and property to destruction.
The state of Sinaloa may be proud of her sons, for they are true patriots, preferring poverty to the protection of the invaders.
I make this communication for the information of the war department, by instructions from the general-in-chief of the united brigades, as well as for the information of the citizen president of the republic.
Citizen Minister of War, Paso Del Norte.
[Translation.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND OFFICE OF WAR AND MARINE—SECTION FIRST.
By your report of the 7th of April, the citizen president of the republic is informed of the important movements of the general-in-chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco, which broke up the expedition of Lozada and his French allies, by an attack at Concordia, forcing them to retreat in great disorder, and seek refuge in the port of Mazatlan, protected by the gunboat Lucifer, stationed there.
The citizen president instructs me to express his satisfaction at the courage of the officers and men who gained this great victory, the result of which is to embarrass the enemy and encourage our party to attack Mazatlan.
The citizen president regrets our losses, particularly the death of the valiant General José M. Gutierrez and Colonel Onofre Campaña; also of Major Francisco Cruz Peña, and other officers and men who fell in the action, and contributed so much to its fortunate result. Please inform the general-in-chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco that the citizen president is much pleased with his conduct, and congratulates him on the happy results of the victory.
Independence and liberty! Paso del Norte, May 9, 1866.
MEJIA.
Citizen Governor and Military Commander of the State of Sinaloa, Culiacan.
Paso del Norte, May 9, 1866.
True copies:
[Translation.]
GOVERNMENT OF SONORA—REPUBLICAN ARMY, FIRST BRIGADE—GENERAL-IN-CHIEF.
Citizen Governor: As I informed you, and not to remain inactive while forces are collecting for action inland, I ordered a movement, which has resulted in the disarming of certain towns. On the 2d instant I set out from Banamichi, in great haste, to surprise Opodepe and Tuape, where I captured seventy muskets and a few horses.
On the night of the 4th I halted four miles from Gucurpe, having unexpectedly come up with the enemy at that place. I proposed a parley, which was answered by shouts for the empire by the defenders of the place. Having rested sufficiently, and observing that the traitors were preparing for resistance, I ordered three companies to advance in different directions, till they came within speaking distance of the besieged. This operation lasted one hour; then firing began on both sides, and continued till 2 o’clock, when the imperialists were dislodged from the house-tops and towers they were occupying, thanks to our sharpshooters on the slope of a hill near by.
At 4 o’clock a signal for parley was made. The rebel chief offered to surrender with a guarantee of life. This was granted, and the following articles were given up: 120 muskets, 2 chests of ammunition, 118 cartridge-boxes, and a few lances.
The garrison consisted of 115 men, 10 officers, the commander-in-chief, and ex-Lieutenant Colonel Don Manuel J. Castro.
Independence and liberty! Magdalena, April 6, 1866.
J. G. MORALES.
Citizen Governor and Military Commander of the State of Sonora, (wherever he may be.)
A true copy: