the dissolution of the Austro-Belgian legions, yet holding out special inducements for their reënlistment in the new Mexican army, with a view to form a foreign nucleus. Few, however, took the hint.[1]
They could hardly be blamed, for the entire western and eastern army districts were in possession of the republicans, as well as the region south of Puebla, while the few remaining central provinces were overrun by hostile bands, and about to be invaded by the victorious Juarists. On the other side the long-projected national army had become reduced to insignificant proportions amid the lack of means and energy, especially of late, when the question of maintaining the empire hung in the balance, to the demoralization of all branches; and the prospects of raising the force to any effective proportions seemed slight.[2]
The disappointments and reverses of the imperialists, so far outlined, indicate in a measure the corresponding hopes and gains of their opponents. With every retrograde step of the French grew the courage and activity of the Juarists, and every victory served to swell the number of their adherents, and expand
- ↑ The offer, with thanks for their past services, was made Dec. 10th. An advance of one grade was tendered, with promise of land grants after six years' service, or free passage home. See Diario Imp., Dec. 24, 1866. The cause for the small reënlistment is attributed to the French officers, and especially to the Austrian and Belgian ministers. See charges by officers against Baron de Lago, in Salm-Salm, Diary, ii. 269–79; also Basch, 143-4; Détroyat, 296, 376, etc. French efforts promoting militia troops had been made already in Nov. The decree for the three army districts appeared in Diario, Ofic., Dec. 13, 1866, Miramon, Marquez, and Mejía being entitled chiefs of the 1st, 2d, and 3d army corps respectively. Marquez received the grand cross of the eagle.
- ↑ Bazaine reported early in Oct. that the national army numbered 22 battalions of infantry, including cazadores, 10 regiments of cavalry, and 4 companies of gendarmes, with plenty of artillery and other arms; 46,000 muskets and other arms had been distributed among the army and people within three years. See Kératry, 198. All this had declined; it was declared that even these numbers were correct only so far as concerned the battalions, which at the time counted only 200 or 300 men each. Pap. y Corr. Famil. Imp., 206. D'Héricault enumerates some 2,500 foreign troops in Dec. Max., 74-5. See Elton's discouraging review, With the French, 172-7; Pap., Var., cxii. pt viii. Yet Miramon had already written rather hopefully of the proposed levy of 60,000 men, in 6 divisions, with Woll, Uraga, and Parrodi as additional commanders. Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 347.
