The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-23
NEWS FROM MEXICO.
Letter from President JuRreZ-Pnrticu-
lars Of the Defeat of MirRmOn at Znca-

Letter from President JuareZ-PRrticu-
lars of the Defeat of MirHmOn at Z"ca-
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The following is the
translation of a letter received from President
JuareZ:-
ZACATEoAs, February 22.--I arrived in this
city on the 22d OF January last where the
Government met with splendid reception. 1t
was celebrated with fireworks, balls, and the
presentation to me OF valuable cane costing
two thousand dollars among other marks of
respect, from its loyal citizens.
At three o'clock the same day the news OF
Mramon's advance upon the city, with 2oOO
meu and fourteen pieces of artillery, was com
muncated to me- and l Immediately directed
the necessary preparations to be made for its
defense. General Amanda did not arrive until
the 25th, with 1900 infantry, 200, cavalry. and
ten pieces OF artillery, which he brought from
Durango. On the 26th the enemy appeared and
made reconnoi sanCe. Although many were
OF opinion that the Government would retire
from this city, and there were many and
weighty reasons of public policy Tor such a
course, l nevertheless did not deem II proper to
adopt it, and determined to share the fate OF
our forces.
The enthusiasm with which the people had
received me, and which amounted almost to
frenzy, and the terrible thought of my intended
retreat from the city. might be the cause of dis
couragement among the troops and the people,
served but the more to strengthen me in my
determine ton to remain at my post. In
word, my opinion was that if the city were
captured this misfortune should not be the
result of the Withdrawal OF the Government,
but rather the cause of it.
On the 26th, accompanied by the Commander
in.Chief, General Auza, ! twice visited the lines
of defense. The enthusiasm OF our soldiers and
Of the people was at its highest pitch and our
hopes of victory we're equally great, but in war
it is difficult to predict results, and any clrcum-
stance, however insignificant it may be, defeats
the best combinations. The information sent by
the commander of the place known as La Buta
to the GeneIal-in- Chief, not having reached him
in proper time, that the enemy had advanced
upon that place before break of day, prevented
the requisite force being sent to its support, and
between and Z A. NJ. of the 27th the enemy
occupied that point, and shortly after entered
the city. General AuZa then sent me word that
l should look to my safety. Accompanied by
Messrs. Lerdo and Yglerias, / then set out on
horseback. General Mejia, who had been sick
for some days previously, had directed should
be taken from the city the night before. As
left the palace my escort was already firing upon
the French, who had appeared at the entrances
of the streets.
My intention was to go to Fresnillo, but the
enemy's advance and fire commanded the road
to that place, and therefore | proceeded to
JereZ, otherwise known as Garcia City, distant
fourteen leagues from Zacatecas. Our troops
took the same direction. Miramon, with the
main body of his forces, pursued them for
nearly three leagues, and though he attempted
to destroy it several times, he was as often
repulsed, until he was compelled to abandon
| the undertaking and to fall back upon Iacate
| cas-. arrived at Jerez on the same day, and
| of one thousand five hundred men, reached the
| same place.
On the 3Oth l ordered this force to unite with
| that of EsCobedo who was on his way to the
| relief of Zacatecas, and / started for Frasnilo
| which reached on the 2lst On the same day
| General Auza notified me that Miramon haC
| evacuated Zacatecas at midday, and was re-
| firing towards Aguas Calientes. General AuZt
| advanced to occupy Zscatecas and to haras'
! the enemy's rear, as he had been ordered by
General Escobedo. / returned to the capital OF
the lst of February and early this morning
| received the report OF Escobedo announcing th
| complete rout of Miramon.
| ! have herein given you brief summary o
| all that has occurred during the past eight days
| Personally have met with no accident. Abou
! the time | LETT the palace, on the 9th. my at
tendant took my baggage to house near tht
palace, which was subsequently searched b.
JOAQUIN, Mramon, and other myrmidons. M!
trunk, and the cane which had just been pre-
spnted to me, werethe only objects saved. TIL
traitors pillaged and destroyed all the publ
offices. IN the palace all was sacked and de
stroyed, and l have been obliged to occupy
private house.
with the defeat of Miramon our success
rendered the more speedy; for the enemy ha
now no other troops, and these badly orga
nized than those of Castillo and Mendez, whic
will shortly be destroyed.
II is very probable that shall proceed eithe
to Guanaiuato or san Luis within eight or tel
days. bENlTo JUAREz'