Siege of Mexico City

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Siege of Mexico City
Part of the Second French intervention in Mexico

Austrian volunteers in Mexico, 1866
Date12 April - 21 June 1867
(2 months, 1 week and 2 days)
Location
Result Mexican Republican-American victory;
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders

Johann Karl Khevenhüller Surrendered
  • Armin Freiherr von Hammerstein-Equord [2] : 253 
  • Alfons von Kodolitsch Surrendered

János Csizmadia[3]: 236–240  Surrendered
Units involved

Mexico 1st brigade of infantry
Mexico Regiment of Quiroga[1]: 297 


Second French Empire 18th regiment of infantry[1]: 299 
Second French Empire Regiment of chasseurs á cheval (French light cavalry)
Second French Empire Regiment of gendarmes[1]: 298 
Austria-Hungary Regiment of hussars
Mexico Eastern Army
United States American Legion of Honor[6] : 227 
Casualties and losses
100+ killed
304 wounded
1,000 captured
Unknown

The siege of Mexico City was an 1867 military engagement in the Second French intervention in Mexico between Republican forces, aided by the United States, and Emperor Maximilian's troops, aided by the French Empire and Austria-Hungary, encompassing in the siege of the city. It was the last armed conflict of the Second Mexican Empire and the fall of the city resulted in the transition of the Empire into the Republic led by Benito Juárez.[7]: 283 

Circumstances

Querétaro accompanied by his Imperial guards.[9]: 140  On the 21st, Republican General Vicente Riva Palacio and Diego Álvarez Benítez arrived near the city with 4,000 soldiers.[8] On the Imperialist side, General Leonardo Márquez marched to assume supreme command of the city.[10] On his way to Mexico City Máquez was routed at San Lorenzo by Díaz. Márquez fled with his cavalry leaving the rest of the infantry behind. Colonel Kodolitsch saved the day by marching out and forming a rearguard to protect the retreating troops and bring them into the city.[1]: 295–300  On 12 May[9]: 284  all the foreign commanders agreed that they needed to prepare a secondary plan in case General Márquez' actions endangered their own men. They elected Colonel Khevenhüller as the acting Commander-in-Chief in case of the necessity to remove Márquez. They also agreed that in negotiating any ceasefire agreement they would act together to reach their own independent terms regardless of the Mexicans'.[2]: 272–273 [9]
: 231  The capital was defended by 400 cannons.
Vallejo and in the Peralvillo. These positions were already entrenched and defended by five hundred Austrians and two hundred Mexicans.[9]: 232, 237  The Austrian column was commanded by von Hammerstein, who was shot in the trenches on 25 May 1867.[2] : 253  The communication and supply lines of the capital were shut down on 18th with the arrival Díaz' 12,000 soldiers.[12]

The Republicans were in a hurry to force the city to surrender as the rainy weather of autumn would prevent any further military action to be taken. Upon his arrival Díaz proclaimed that his intents were to arrest General Márquez, Tomás O'Horán and the former Minister of State. He also stated that he would execute all the Austrian auxiliaries if they were captured. The lives of Francophone soldiers would be spared since 60% of his own cavalry consisted of French deserters.[11] On 20 April Agnes Salm-Salm, a Prussian princess in Imperial service, appeared at Díaz's camp and offered the disbandment of the European troops in exchange for the guarantee of their and Maximilian's lives and free passage back to Europe. Although her offer was not accepted she tried to further convince Díaz by sending word that the Austro-Hungarian troops were put on hold and under the temporary protection of the neutral Prussian flag as of 26th inst.[13]

Siege

Republican officers of the siege : Manuel González Flores (left), Mariano Escobedo (center) and Porfirio Díaz (right)

On 17 May

San Antonio Abad.[9]
: 274–275 

Meanwhile, the famine within the city became unbearable. It was reported that half of the population of 220,000 had fled from the city during the siege. There was an instance when 14,000 inhabitants left in one day.

Iturbide Theatre. The mob broke its entrances and flooded the building. Some amount of cereals was found which was immediately plundered. The riot escalated and reached the marketplace, threatening to pillage it. In fear that this would have led to greater conflict between the garrison and the civilians and to prevent the gates being opened and city delivered to the Republicans, the Austro-Hungarian cavalry raided the crowd and dispersed it. No weapons were used in order to avoid panic and an anti-Imperialist morale to arise. To prevent further riots, all hidden food stores were revealed by house-to-house searches and distributed by the hussars and gendarmes among the people.[1]
: 318–319 

the attacked aqueduct at the garita leading to the city

On 14 June, General of artillery Ramírez Arellano arrived to the region and after having himself disguised as a charcoal-burner, infiltrated into the city and gave reports about the current situation of the

San Cosme and Belén, sneaking with his soldiers one by one through an aqueduct. The native Indians and the French took up the arms against the surprise attack. They charged two cannons with grapeshots and targeted both sides of the aqueduct, while six men mounted it to cut the only possible escape route. The Liberals tried to take initiative three times, all of which were repulsed and they retreated.[9]: 281–282  At the end of the assault attempt several hundred Liberals were found dead in the field.[1]
: 321 

On the 18th the French and Austrian commanders met where the latter informed the guerillas that the Emperor was taken prisoner and that they proclaimed their neutrality for the rest of the battle and were already in negotiations with the Republicans. The French Commander Chenet referred to their previous agreement, in which they agreed that they wouldn't surrender without the consent of the other. The next day all Europeans put down their weapons and awaited until the end of the siege.

San Pedro y San Pablo, while the other Europeans occupied the National Palace.[1]: 326 [15]
: 348 

As the funds were running low General Márquez engrossed $150,000 from the Barron, Forbes & Co. and impounded $60,000 more on the Nacional Monte de Piedad.[14] No supplies could reach the city after it had been surrounded and as a result food stores ran empty and the forced levies just worsened the situation. Only three bakeries were still open to furnish the soldiers and the remaining two hundred thousand inhabitants. House raids were everyday common for hidden foodstocks. Still hundreds of people died of the famine. Every sort of commerce was completely suspended.[16]

Breakout attempts

First

The first breakout attempt took place on 18 May. The Imperial Mexican infantry was dispersed easily. A dismounted cavalry company intervened and assaulted the Republican ramparts, only to open the road for Colonel Kodolitsch to search for provisions in the nearby territory. After gathering enough rural goods, the Imperialists returned to the city.[1]: 312 

Second

The second breakout commenced on Sunday at 2 o'clock in the morning of 9 June after preparing a plan to occupy the

Piedad river. The operation succeeded in piercing the enemy lines though all of his troops had to return to the city.[1]: 320 [9]
: 273–275 

Third

The third and last breakout was led by Márquez himself, which was an undercover attempt to escape the capital and leave it to its fate as he received worrisome information regarding the fall of Querétaro and the capture of Maximilian. On the night of 17 June at the head of 6,000 men they marched through the Cuartos bridge in the direction of La Piedad. He was stopped by Díaz in person there who came from Tacubaya when he heard the cannon fire. At that time Colonel Leyva's battalion was nearly destroyed and Cuartos bridge had been almost taken when Díaz took command of the first battalion of Oaxaca lancers from General Terán, and reinforced the remnants of the Republicans. He was shortly followed by Terán's second and third Lancer battalion, General Naranjo and his Los Morales cavalry and Félix Díaz from Coyoacán. The Imperialists had no other way back but to pass the same bridge they came, which was covered by the fire of Díaz's artillery causing great losses to Márquez's forces[7]: 279 [15]: 345 [17]: 206 

Negotiations

Díaz and O'Horán

On the 18th the Mexican Imperial General O'Horán persuaded Díaz to meet him halfway at night and used red light signals to identify himself while sneaking out undiscovered from the capital. Díaz escorted by drummers and buglers responded with the same signal, that unfortunately revealed his position to the Imperialist shooters who instantly opened fire on him. O'Horán blamed Márquez for the incident and swore his innocence. The second night O'Horán came out of the capital and met Díaz, which they did this time. He offered to surrender the city, including Márquez and the other principal officers, with the sole condition of obtaining a passport to go abroad. Díaz felt that such an offer was pointless considering the city was helpless, and that as for the other leaders I would fulfill my duty. O'Horán insisted that however the city would fall the capture of the wanted officers was uncertain, but his offer guaranteed both. Díaz refused again and warned the General that although he let him get away that time he would put him under custody as soon as the city was to be captured.[7]: 280 [17]: 227 

Díaz and Khevenhüller

News circulated within the capital that

Vera Cruz, and assurance of their maintenance until their embarquement at the said port.[1]
: 321–323  All terms had been settled in an agreement, which was as follows:

  1. Art.; The basis of this present agreement is, that the Austrian soldiers shall desist from the present moment from any participation in many hostility against the Republican army.
  2. Art.; If they leave the capital on the 20th June, and report themselves at the headquartersof the said army. General Porfirio Díaz warrants to all of them free retreat to Vera Cruz without an escort, and at the expense of the Republican government, and he warrants also the baggage. The officers will remain in the possession of their arms and horses ; all other arms and horses will be delivered up to the general-in-chief.
  3. Art.; In the case that the above-mentioned time should pass without any use having been made of these promises, however, with observationof the principle expressed in section 1, if the soldiers, in case of a fight, should assemble in the palace, and hoist the white flag, the General Porfirio Díaz warrants, in the case of the capture of Mexico, the hves only of the Austrian soldiers, leaving them otherwise at the disposal of the Eepublican government.
  4. Art.; Those persons who, in one of the above-mentioned cases, should desire to remain in the country, will receive from the general the required security for their person and baggage.
  5. Art.; In reference to those who, being at distant posts, could not be informed in time, this circumstance would find consideration only until the morning of the 21st June, later they would only have a right to claim the promises of section 3, made to those who should retire to the palace.
  6. Art.; In all these conditions granted to Austrians are included all those who, without belonging to the Mexican nation, are under the same command. As to the Mexicans, General Porfirio Díaz cannot anticipate the decision of the Eepublican government, by granting them conditions which might be prejudicial to its resolutions.
  7. Art.; General Porfirio Díaz desires to be informed in time of the marching out from Mexico, in order to be able to assist it by all means at his disposal.

Although the agreement had never been ratified it came into effect on the day of the general surrender,[1]: 325–326  they presented themselves disarmed at the National Palace at the time of the Republican takeover.[1]: 326 

Díaz and Tabera

On 17 June General Ramón Tabera Commanding-General of the Second Army Corps began to make contact with Díaz, though returned without accomplishing anything. He assumed high command when Márquez disappeared from the city on the evening of 19 June with the rest of the treasury. A theory suggested he was smuggled alive by foreign Republican volunteers in a coffin to one of the cemeteries and set to travel at midnight. He was dressed as a fruit peddler to reach safely

Equestrian statue of Charles IV the shelling resumed. After realising the absence of Márquez white flags were raised on the city buildings, and the call for a capitulation was signaled to the besiegers. The official message was delivered to Díaz by Miguel Peña, Díaz de la Vega and Carlos Palafox on the behalf and consent of Tabera.[7]
: 282–283  The agreement was as follows:

  1. Art.; All Firing will immediately cease until the ratification of these articles
  2. Art.; The life, property and liberty of the population of Mexico is to rest in the care of General Porfirio Díaz
  3. Art.; General Ramon Tabera will nominate three persons to form a Commission, who will place the city in the power of General Díaz, as follows: One of these persons will trun over the troops of the garrison; one of the Government property; and the other the artillery and munitions of war
  4. Art.; The national or native Imperial forces are to form in line and march to the Citadel, where they will remain until formally surrendered. The contra-guerilla under Chenet will concentrate in the suburbs called San Pedro and San Paulo and foreign troops in the palace
  5. Art.; the Commanding-Generals, Chiefs and commissioned officers will retain their espadas, swords, and present themselves as afterward as directed by the Commander-in-Chief (Díaz) and remain where ordered until further orders

Díaz and Csizmadia

Austrian ship SMS Novara comes for the discharged officers

After the siege General Díaz was informed that Hungarian troops are present in the city.

Vera Cruz and to be taken home on the board of the Austrian ship SMS Novara along with the rest of the Austrian corps.[3]: 239 [17]: 231  Csizmadia also helped to negotiate the same terms of surrender for the Austrians as well.[18]
: 591 

Final days

Feeling that the end was near, Leonardo Márquez escaped from the capital, went into exile and passed the leadership to Ramón Tabera on 20 June, who immediately negotiated a surrender, which Díaz accepted and entered the city the following day. After taking measures for the maintaining the order and supplying food to the inhabitants Díaz sent out for the Imperialist officers, as well as ministers, councilors, administrators of the previous regime to present themselves voluntarily within a twenty-four-hour period. The only ones who did so were General Tabera and a few others. Díaz had three prisons prepared for the high class subordinates of the Empire each reserved to different branches of the same rank. Unprovoked punishment of the prisoners was prohibited. Their families and friends could freely visit them. The sick were permitted to remain at their homes. Many of them failed to show up and search-groups were formed to enforce the warrants. Among these were Vidaurri, Lacunza, O'Horán, and Manuel Ramírez Arellano but many of them were later arrested.[7]: 295 [15]: 346–348 [17]: 229–230  Juan José Baz, newly appointed Chief of the Police of the Capital of the Mexican Republic proclaimed on 21 June:

  1. Art.; All who have been employed in whatever occupation under the so-called Empire, receiving pay from the same must present themselves at these headquarters within twenty-four hours
  2. Art.; All such who do not present themselves within the above mentioned period, will be considered, when found, as enemies of the Government with arms in their hands, and will be punished with penalty of death according to Article 28 of the law of January 25, 1862
  3. Art.; All who were the "Assembly of Nobles", counselors, heads of departments, Imperial commissionaries, the same as those who were in the military service, are to remain in prison until their cases are disposed by the Supreme Government
  4. Art.; Those who served as captains or lieutenants remain in liberty, but must present themselves in order to obtain exemption papers, allowing them to remain until further orders in the place of their choice; provided the same persons have not committed any act, which places them under a different category. Such as have committed excesses will remain in prison until judged.
  5. Art.; All the inhabitants of Mexico are ordered to let their houses be searched by officers who show written orders for making such searches, and which orders are given by the Chief of Police. Those who resist and their houses are searched by force will suffer a fine of $100 to $500 or six months' to two years imprisonment.
  6. Art.; Those who attempt to search houses without an order from this Department will be punished with not less than six months or nor more than five years of hard work.
  7. Art.; Those who hide individuals in their houses, who are included in this decree, will be punished with not less than six months imprisonment or nor more than five years of hard work. Those who are exempt of this punishment are those who hide father, son, brother or husband.
  8. Art.; All who have in their possession jewelry, plate, furniture or other property properly belonging to the nation, are obliged to give them in the hands of the City Treasury within the period of twenty-four hours, and such as do not conform of this article will be considered and dealt with the same as common thieves, and punished according to the criminal' circular
  9. Art.; All who have arms, ammunition or articles of war belonging to the Government will turn them over to the Inspector of Police within twenty-four hours or suffer six months imprisonment to one year's hard work.
  10. Art.; The Punishment spoken in Articles 5, 6, 7 and 9 will be applied by Government.
— Juan José Baz, Mexico City, June 21, 1867[14]

Finally President Juárez ceremonially visited the city on 21 July and issued a general amnesty. Army was reduced to 18,000 conscripts.[20]

See also

  • List of battles of the French intervention in Mexico

Notes

  • a Accounts differ who ordered the execution by firing squad of Tomás O'Horán. Charles d'Héricault claims it was Benito Juárez's wish.[9]: 237, 385  In his letter to the legation of the United States Marcus Otterbourg also confirmed O'Horán's post-siege Republican trial and the execution as its verdict.[21]: 440  James Creelman also links his execution to Juárez.[7]: 295–296  While contemporary The New York Times reported that he was put on trial by Márquez and executed for treason.[22]

References

  1. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  3. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  4. ^ . Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b Raymond, Henry Jarvis, ed. (12 June 1867). "Congratulations Between Díaz and Escobedo--Letter of Escobedo to the Governor of New Leon-Escobedo's Address to His Soldiers. The Fall of Querétaro--Escobedo's Proclamation of His Soldiers--Imperial Officers Failing to Report to be Shot. Particulars of tile Fall of the City" (PDF). The New York Times. New York. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  6. ^
    ISSN 0185-0172. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  7. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  8. ^ a b "By Telegraph to the Union:Gold and Greenbacks—List of Passengers by the Steamer Constitution, arrived from Panama—Mexican and Central American News—Incorporations in San Francisco—Dead Body Found—Arrival—Sale of Stocks—Anti-Chinese Meeting" (pdf). Sacramento Daily Union. Vol. 32, no. 4973. 7 March 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  9. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  10. ^ Juan Álvarez (15 March 1867). "Gen. Marquez Assumes Command of the Imperial Forces in the City of Mexico. Abandonment of Acapulco by the French--Letter to the Mexican Minister" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  11. ^ a b c "Díaz Barbarous Threats--Influence on the Garrison of the Capital--The Situation at Queretare and City of Mexico--Recapture of Toluca by the Imperialists--Forced Loans by Both Parties. The Situation at Querétaro--The Valley of Mexico" (PDF). The New York Times. 19 March 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Mexico.Situation of Affairs at Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico. The Siege of Vera Cruz by the Liberals" (PDF). The New York Times. 14 May 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  13. ^ Venancio Leyva (20 May 1867). "Mexico. - Official Report of the Negotiations at the City of Mexico" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d "Mexican affairs; Particulars of the Siege of the City of Mexico. Seventy-nine Days of Heroic Endurance. A Reign of Terror Inaugurated by the Liberals. A Horrible Story of Suffering, Outrage and Bloodshed. Particulars of the Siege of the City of Mexico" (PDF). The New York Times. 12 July 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  15. ^ . Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  16. ^ "Terrors of the Siege of Mexico" (png). The Evening Post. Vol. III., no. 222. Wellington, New Zealand. 30 October 1867. p. 2. Retrieved 25 July 2012.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  18. ^ a b Pál Sarlay (1 December 1867). "Mexikóból" [from Mexico] (PDF). Vasárnapi Ujság (in Hungarian). Vol. 11, no. 48. Pest, Austria-Hungary: Gusztáv Heckenast. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  19. . Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  20. ^ "Mexico. - Reception of President Juarez in the City of Mexico--The Mexicans Sick of Bloodshed, and Clamoring for a General Amnesty" (PDF). The New York Times. 28 August 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  21. . Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  22. ^ "Fighting at the City of Mexico--The Republicans Victorious--Santa Anna Said to be Off Vera Cruz--Marquez Threatens to Burn the Capital if Maximilian is Harmed. Postponement of Maximillian's Trial" (PDF). The New York Times. 19 June 1867. Retrieved 25 July 2012.