No. 273.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, November 29, 1871. (Received December 26.)
Sir: The revolution which has so long threatened to disturb the peace of the country has, since the date of my last general dispatch, been declared to a greater or less extent in several of the States of the republic. The “pronounciamento” of General Porfirio Diaz was immediately followed by similar manifestoes from a number of other insurgent chieftains, all based upon substantially the same, grounds, and each recognizing General Diaz as their leader.
The theater of the most important military operations for the present will undoubtedly be the frontier between the States of Puebla and Oaxaca. After fortifying the city of Oaxaca, General Diaz moved, with about four thousand men, toward the northwest, in the direction of Huajuapam, probably with the design of marching on Puebla; but a superior government force, under the command of General Alatorre, having been concentrated near the point indicated, he retired some distance, and when last heard from was marching toward Tehuacan, in the southeast part of the State of Puebla. In that vicinity he will probably encounter a large government force, under the command of General Rocha. The federal troops are within convenient proximity for purposes of co-operation. A battle is imminent, and is expected to occur within twenty-four hours. The united government force investing the State of Oaxaca cannot be less than ten thousand men, who are generally well armed and disciplined. If there shall be no serious defections among those troops, the result of the expected battle cannot be doubtful.
A battle took place on the 14th instant at Ometepec, on the western [Page 365] frontier of the State of Guerrero. A small insurgent force, under the command of General Jimenez, was completely routed by the federal general, Felipe Rodriguez.
Very little intelligence has been received in this capital from the seat of war in Nuevo Leon. There has been no mail or telegraphic communication with the extreme northern States for several weeks. It is yet doubtful whether the insurgents under General Trevino have succeeded in capturing Saltillo.
The insurgent general, Donato Guerra, after defeating the troops of the government in the State of Durango, took and yet retains possession of the capital of that State.
Affairs present a threatening aspect on the Pacific coast. A communication from our consul at Mazatlan, dated the 10th instant, informs me that the government troops at Guaymas had pronounced, murdered their officers, and taken possession of between eighty and one hundred thousand dollars in the custom-house; and I have just learned that a similar event has occurred at Mazatlan.
The whole country appears to be in a great state of alarm and confusion; business is paralyzed, and murder, robbing, and kidnapping are the order of the day. Robberies of stage-coaches have been so frequent of late that several important lines have been withdrawn. Even the large cities furnish very little security to person and property.
I can perceive no remedy for this terrible condition of affairs but in the complete success of the federal arms.
I am, &c.,