pedition of 800 men from Saban had to return with the loss of over half its force.[1]
The campaign which opened so auspiciously with the turn of the year had been practically a failure. The white men had not been able to hold more than a portion of the ground occupied, and the drain of a long war was beginning to be felt. There were over 16,000 men in the field,[2] including 2,000 friendly Indians, besides local defenders and garrisons; and toward their support and equipment the republic had in 1848 contributed only $150,000. Yucatan itself had a revenue of less than half a million, and could devote only a proportion to war purposes. It was evident, therefore, that no funds could be spared for pay. Indeed, the troops were nearly all volunteers, receiving from any surplus on hand an occasional gratuity.[3] Provisions were obtained chiefly on credit, and later from camps and farms of rebels, most of the expeditions henceforth being to forage. The revenue was mortgaged, and declined under the neglect of agriculture and other industries, and the smallness of the personal contribution tax, formerly so productive. Under this pressure the popular Governor Barbachano conceived the idea of utilizing the numerous prisoners taken during the war. He had obtained the passage of a decree expelling from the country for ten years all Indians who were captured or failed to submit, on the ground that the government could not
- ↑ In May-June 1849. It was overwhelmed by the Indians, and had to find its way back in detachments. The besiegers exhibited the most reckless bravery in pushing their works and making their assaults, usually by night. At one time there were over 200 of the garrison on the sick-list, and food failing, desertion increased. In order to check the growing discontent, Cetina one day called on the men in favor of retreat to step forward. Half a dozen did so, only to be shot, according to Baqueiro, Ensayo, ii. cap. vi. Even a lieut-col was shot for being in secret understanding with the rebels. See also Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 159; Universal, June 9, 16, etc., 1849.
- ↑ 'Trece mil cuatrocientos hombres componen las fuerzas que ha levantado el Estado.' Méx., Mem. Min. Guer., 1850, 1.
- ↑ From the subsequent monthly allowance granted by Mexico, privates received $1 each and the rest in proportion, to $30 for the col; but this was not often given.
