Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-07-06
OueretarO-The Imperial side of the
St0Ty.

The siege of Querretaro continued
for sixty days after Macmillan, by a
a most wretched display OF generalship,
permitting himself to be cOOped up in
| The city. An American correspondent,
who accompanied him from the capital,
and was with him until the surrender,
affords us an inside view of that city
during The protracted siege, and mar
rates some fresh details of the capitu-
lation. Though the EmperOr's forces
were set down at twelve thousand, his
Effective troops did not number more
than seven or eight thousand. Prince
Salm- Salm, who served IN the Federal
army of the Potomac, was his conf
Dental friend and counsellor, and re-
aIIv his Chief-of- Stall, though Gen.
Costello. a confirmed invalid nOmln-
ally held the position.
Though Macmillan was Commander
| in-Chief. Miramon had the manage
ment of military plans. About the
| middle of March. Marquee, up to that
time the Emperor's Chief Of-Staff, was
despatched to the capital for reinforce
ments, and until the surrender the be-
sieged looked confidentially and anx-
| iously for his return with twelve thou
sand achievements. Day after day
Macmillan watched and longed in vain
for his appearance. Courier after cOur-
Ter was despatched in fruitless efforts
| to break through the Liberal lines to
reach him. None of them were, how
ever, heard from afterwards. One was
discovered hanging just outside of the
Imperial lines, with n big placard sus
pended on his breast containing this
inscription: Fifth Courier for Mar
dneZ" A standing reward of Sc, 600
was offered to any one who should get
through to Marquee and return with a
reply.
on the 18th of April, Prince Salm-
Salm made an attack on the Liberal
lines, for the simple purpose of emma
bling five messengers to get out. Each
of them had been furnished with dis
patch ''rolled up in the smallest com
pass, and enclosed in sealing wax, so
that it could be swallowed If neces-
sary." Two of them contrived to make
their exit. All this time, MARQUEE was
contending with Diaz, near the capital,
and, consequently, was unable to bring
any relief.
The women of the city carried food
and drink to the soldiers In the trench
es, and spent much of their time with
them, at the peril of their lives. Many
thus fell victims to their coniugal deyo-
ton. One was shot through the breast
with bnllet, which likewise killed the
infant strapped to her breast. A sec
ond had her head taken off by
round shot A third was killed by
ballet, in the Plaza.
Provisions we're very scarce-the sol
diers lived to a great extent upon horse
and mule meat; but this was well nigh
exhausted at the time of the surrender.
Macmillan Jared like the common sol
der. He was cheerful, hopeful and
brave to rashness. frequently exposing
himself to showers of bullets while in-
specting his lines. On one occasion
his subordinates besought him to leave
them and his army to themselves, and
seek safety in flight. He r"Dlied 81
do not deceive myself l know if they
catch me they will shoot me, but while
| can / will not run away" On the
10th of April, being presented with an
address from the citizens he issued one
] V.
err things 81 am struggling cheerfully
by Your side. Let us continue TO adj
vance with determination on the road
of our rights, and God will recompense
our efforts. His whole conduct
throughout shows him to be high
toned, though misguided individual.
Affairs becoming desperate. the EN-
peror determined, during the latter
part of April, to assault the enemy's
position, and, if possible, break through
the Gordon and escape. We have al
ready received the Liberal accounts of
the affair which occurred on the 9th of
April. Miramon led the attack, and
for a time was successful, completely
doubling up portion of Escobedo's
lines. Twenty one guns and 600 pris-
oners were captured. The women fol-
| lowed up the victors, and gathered
large amounts of booty of every descrip-
ton. But there were not sufficient
troops TO carry out the programme to
completion, and the besieged were
compelled to abandon all the ground
and fall back to their old positions.-
The success, however, inspired their
dropping hopes, and banished all
| b0OQgllIS OF buFfeDuef. Ou Tile ISL anu
81 of May two other attacks were made
upon the enemy's lines, during which
the brave Colonel ROdrignes was killed.
They, however, achieved nothing
About this time General Ramirez was
arrested, together with his staff, for at
tempting to betray the city.
Finally affairs became so desperate
food for both man and beast being
nearly exhausted that Macmillan de-
termined upon making one last cour-
ageous effort to break through the LIB
eral lines with his cavalry and infantry.
and escape to the mountains, and
thence to Vera Crnz. Meiia was en-
trusted with the charge OF the Emove-
ment, which was set down for May IA,
the day before the surrender took
place. All the able-bodied citizens
were armed in order TO hold the city
| lines while the retreat was being effect
ed. On the night of the 18TH, how
ever, SIX deserters came in, who report
ell that Ortega was besieging San Luis,
and that Juarez had sent word to Es-
cobedo to raise the siege of Queretsro
for the time being, and go to his as.
sistance. The report was believed,
and led Macmillan to postpone the
soTtie.
What followed is known to the read
er. On the very next night, MAY IA J
! Colonel Lopez, one of the Emperor's
confidential favorites, in command OF
La Cruz, betrayed that important po-
sition, which was the key to the city.