Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/325

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SURRENDER.
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heads and tear-dimmed eyes.[1] The other officers were consigned to the adjoining church, and the rank and file to the camps, there to be incorporated among the liberal forces.[2] Escobedo, in reports and proclamations, attributed the fall of the city to the actions of his army.

The inhabitants were not molested,[3] save those who neglected the stringent order to denounce all officers in hiding. This caused the surrender of Miramon and many other leaders, of whom several fell victims to the blind fury of the uncontrolled soldiers.[4] A few managed to escape, among them General Arellano.[5] Mejía, to whose generosity Escobedo owed his life not long before, was offered means for flight; but the noble Indian would not accept liberty unless in company with Maximilian and Miramon. This was declared impossible. "Then let me die with them," he said.[6] Mendez remained in hiding, and being betrayed, he was led out and shot, in accordance with the recent proclamation, but really in retaliation for his loudly condemned execution of the republican general Arte-

  1. Among the favorites with him were Col Guzman and Minister Aguirre, besides those who followed him to the Cerro. Lopez had rifled his room of effects and documents. Basch relates how the officers pressed their prisoners for every valuable article about them, and even took them by force. Erin., ii. 138–40.
  2. The Emperatriz regiment was left entire under the liberal officers; but on the march to Mexico the latter were assassinated, and the men formed themselves into a guerrilla band. Salm-Salm, i. 212. Escobedo reported 8,000 rank and file captured and incorporated, and over 500 officers, including 15 generals; also 55 cannon, 68,500 cartridges, etc. Estrella de Occid., July 12, 1867; Lefévre, Docs, ii. 415., Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7, iii. 211. The 8,000 men must embrace Mejía's lately organized citizens. In the republican ranks they were not treated very liberally, as may be supposed, especially foreigners, who complained of being both starved and beaten. Salm-Salm, Diary, i. 2256, 266, ii. 130. Hans states, however, that his party was well treated in Palacio's division. Quer., 197.
  3. Two marauders were shot as a warning. Sombra de Zaragoza, May 21, 1857.
  4. Hans, 195-6, 204-6, and Salm-Salm, 212, give instances. Forty are said to have been put up for targets, but this is doubtful. In one case a tumult created belief in a plot to escape, and led to unfortunate shooting.
  5. The artillery chief, who bribed his captor and reached Marquez at Mexico. Arellano, 148-51. Marquez accuses this man of treason, in retaliation for his charges. Refut., 145-9; but there is no evidence against him.
  6. Arrangoiz, Mej., iv. 315, complains that this incident has been left unnoticed by others.