The New York herald., 1863-04-22
The War In Mcxico-Tho French ant
Mexica ms In Mortal Combat.

Mexicans in Mortal Combat.
We have received very important news from
the republic of Mexico, contained in an official
despatch of General Ortega, commanding at
Puebla, to General Comonfort, commanding at
Santa Clara. This despatch records despe-
rate fight between the French army of attack
and the Mexican forces under Ortega defending
the fortified post of Puebla- Many persons will
regard this news as intimating complete rout
Of the French. But we need not be too hasty.
1t must be remembered that we have previous
ly been in possession Of news by way Of Aca-
pulco which comes down to the LIST of April,
four days later than the intelligence now re-
ceived. We give the particulars in ertenso to-
day, as it is important to keep up perfect mar
rative of these events, and to show what the
news really means.
According to our advices elsewhere pub
lished, It seems that General Ortega's letter
to General Comonfort is correct in almost every
particular 30 far - It goes; but as it does not
refer to any military operations beyond the
9th Of March, and a. We have dates extending
to the lst of April on which day, It is said, the
French troops had occupied all the outer works
Of the citadel Of Puebla, there is room to sup
pose that they had obtained some advantages
over their Mexican. antagonists.
There is no doubt whatever that the Next
cans have exhibited remarkable endurance.
pluck, vigor and patriotism ;'and there are seve-
raj advantages still in their favor, as they are
operating on their own soil, and can be
strengthened from time to time by numerous re-
inforcements The French, on the other hand,
despite all Boosting, can only rely on the re-
serve Of five thousand men lately arrived at
Vera Cruz. All their other available troops
are fully and continually employed. Thus we
find that the position of the French army in
Mexico is far from being as favorable as its
friends could wish it to be. The Mexicans are
every day gathering more confidence, and are
fighting with unity, skill and vigor in defence
of their nationality, liberty and independence;
and men struggling for these great principles
are not so easily put down, even by French or
Roman legions.
This, then, is the aspect Of the news But
supposing that these accounts are altogether
reliable, and that the French under Forey
have received the coup de grace which they SO
well deserve, what Is to be the result? In an
unpublished speech of General Forey, address
ed to the French troops on his first arrival at
Vera Cruz, he openly declared that the design
of the Emperor Napoleon was to conquer Mexi-
CO, and to impose such government upon IL as
its people (undsr the guidance Of his troops, of
course) would choose 10 adopt. These are a few
Of the words which General Forey then used
ITO fulfil this mission" (ths overthrowing of
the wretched Juarez and his followers) "the
Emperor has charged me to promise you the
aid Of $4,000, 10000, 100000, 100000 soldiersl
OF whatever number, in short, that may be ne
cessary, II in the course Of the war greater
difficulties than those naturally expected should
arise."
Such words are of the highest significance In
connection with the sdvicss we publish TO-
day. X It should turn out that the French
have been as thoroughly routed at Puebla
by their poorly armed and generally con-
temhed Mexican antagonists as has been
represented, and II no botlec~sement occur
in Europe to occupy the forces Of the
different empires, IL Is almost certain that the
Emperor will attempt to carry out bis pro-
gramme In Mexico, and we may see, as q result
Of this defeat the appearance on this continent
Of the threatened army Of 100000 or 100000
French soldiers, avengers Of their fallen CON-
rides.
In. any way this resistance Of the Mexicsns at
Puebla is an important thing for us-far more
90 II the French defeat be confirmed; because a
shows that our European battles, in connection
with the great struggle now going on north of
the Rio Grande, are being splendidly fought By
our Mexican allies, and that, II the French have
to contend thus hercely in order to be success
full against q weak nation and disunitsd
government, It will cost them far more serious
efforts than the French people will permit 70
wage successful war against this country.
Thsy will, therefore, stop 70 think . good macy
minutes bsfcrs smbroilins themselves with US.