The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-16
Siege and Surrender Of Matnmoros

lfTom the NeU orleans fcdyune,1
The Heroic City, OF Matamoros is famous for
its bloody sieges and defences, and the last one
has been the most protracted of all. The com
manding General was Thomas Mejia, full-blood-
ca Cd Indian, like the chief of the opposing party,
Juarez. He had originally some 25O0 troops un-
der his command, most Of them native Mexcans
of the border. They belonged to organizations
dating back to the days OF General Taylor, end
proudly wore engagements with him omblazoned
on their banners. Among these was the celebra-
ted Cerro Gordo battalion, which went over to tho
other side during the late battle near Camargo
and abandoned their Austrian allies to their fate
The Austrian regiment was composed of men
from every part OF Germany, tho Rhine, tho Tyrol,
tered into the service Of Maximian, and wore the
Imperial Mexican uniform. They had attached q
small field battery, manned by Egyptians and free
Vera Cruz, and were thence sent to the State of
Gajaca, whence they were transferred to Matamo-
ros. They werc very good looking men, but in
clined to desert and cross the Rio Grande to the
German settlements. It was this BODY that i'm in
company with the Cerro Gordo battalion, was
sent up the river to escort $50 wagons Of merchan
disc bound from Mstamoros into the interior, and
were captured. The feeling ran very strong
against them as Invading foreigners" and some
OF them were shot on the spot. The fate of the
rest i, is mater Of conjecture They will proba
sent 70 the public works.
During the last two years there have been
Would come down to the city in force and thrsaen
serious attacks upon it. At these times Mejia's
troops would sleep upon their arms in the open
plaza, with Mexican blankets for "martial cloaks
Sunday morning they were all paraded in the
plaza to hear mass and everything done to keep
them faithful and obedient. Some very imper-
| feet defensive works were thrown up outside, q
gunboat or two manned on the river, and cotton
and bagging seized and built up into barrioades.
These were serious days, when all towards
in charge Of friends of Liberal sympathies; but
Mejia calmly stood his ground. But, distrusting
his ability to make good his defence, after the re-
| volt OF the Cerro Gordians and capture of the
Austrians, he prudently made terms Of capitula.
ton and crossed the river himself. For, during
his defence, Mejia, who is rude soldier, has not
| been very mercful to his enemies. During his
numerous seges, he generally opened the days
| work with shooting the captives Of the night be-
fore as spies. Had he fallen into the hands of
the inimical sodiery, he would, no doubt, have
been shot him self.
During all these seges, the people Of Matamo-
r0s have been ostensibly loyal to the Empire.
The French, Germans and foreigners we're 80 from
natural sympathy; the property-holders for fear
or revolutionary work, and the double faced or
even the Liberals, from necessity. Nevertheless,
there were many secret enemies of Mejia in the
city, and innumersble were the plots and counter
plots. Generally, however people who had any
ers OF the Government. The rich merchants, the
| great banking-houses, and especially ali the
foreign consuates, were enthusiastic Imperialists.
The personnel OF the Prussian, in particular,
were General Mejias warmest friends, and at
their banquests he and his friends were always
welcome. Nevertheless, 30 uncertain was the
future, and 30 numerous the underplots, that
matamoros, all this while, was a little purgatory
| to live in.
| Upon Meja's evacuation, the Liberals marched
In and took possession Of the town without blood
she'd. By their recent captures they we're well
supplied with everything, and doubtless will not
proceed immediately to forced loans, unless en-
ragged because the great specie conducta from
profitable trade under their auspices they will,
probably, soon forget everything, and in the mean
time they who supported Mejis will know, from
long residence in Mexico, how to set themselves
! right.
As to the future of trade, it has now far more
| hattering prospects than for years gone by.