The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-24
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY a. ls79-TRPLE

terrible negative. No one knows what passed in the
bosom of the Prince when this stern refusal reached
him. for he heard ii with apparent calmness, but
gave outward signs of feeling. Perhaps he hoped
for more opportune hour to give expression to his
Wishes but he showed no interest in organizing any
thing anew, in the execution OF the above plan
which his generals had submitted to him that very
day.
WAS IT TREASON. OR A DIRE DESTINY
Thinking that Macmillan might try to escape.
Escobedo redoubled his vigilance and prepared Tor
the assault. Lopez. the Archduke's agent. who COM
manded the position of the Convento de la Cruz felt
deeply disheartened by the resolution OF the Prince,
who had thought only of his personal salvation,
according to Senior Arias, without taking care ABOUT
the fate that might befall those who hal followed his
banner ana defended his SO far as Lopez was
concerned defence and resistance were considered as
at an end
1t was about eleven O'Clock the same eventful
night of the 14th Of May when General Escobedo
had dictated his orders to take possession of the
Convento de la Cruz. where the diminished garrison
of Lopez lay and also to deliver general assault on
the following morning when General Francisco Velez
was charged with the delicate duty OF taking the
convent with the two crack battalions, supreme
Poderes" and ''Nuevo-Leon." He organized his
troops in such manner as not to be seen by the
enemy, and followed by General Felicano Chavarria
and Colonies Jose Rncon and Augustin Lozano, with
two or three other superior officers. advanced with
the greatest silence to seek practicable road.
With noiseless step they able to reach
an old embrasure without encountering any obsta-
Gle. Here they found a tired sentinel who
prised and captured velez made Colonel Yepes and
Lieutenant Colonel Margain advance with their bat
talons. and also the Commandant General of Artil-
lery Francisco Paz to the convent garden,
which was already almost in his power. While these
approached veez and his comrades advanced to recon-
notre the garden, Colonel Lopez, who guarded it,
while going his rounds found himself suddenly con-
fronted by the republican chiefs who threatened him
with death if he should make the least movement.
Veez with his pistol pointed at the head of the sur
prised imperialist obliged him to conduct them by
safe road to the interior of the convent. The trans
action matter of moments. Resistance
useless; and Lopez tortured by the idea that Maxi
milan was about to fall prisoner appears to have
been DESTROYS OF doing anything they might require
for the purpose of obtaining opportunity to adj
wise his master Of the imminent danger which sur
rounded him.
CAPTURE OF THE FALLEN EMPEROR.
The defenders of the Convento de Ia Cruz and the
ns te m n Of Re
fortified points of the convent were successfully
surprised and captured Owing to the manner in
which the attention OF the successful republican
chiefs became distracted by the rapidly multiplying
changes Of the scene. Lopez was able to have the
He could still have made defence, as there was at
least trusted battalion that slept in
Sa where e se as sn
his generals must have been under demorazing
influence. because after losing time during which
they might have been captured they last went out
in the midst of the confusion, which was gen.
era and We're able to pass out under the euse of cit
liens. without knowing whittier to direct their steps,
Lopez who had given his word of honor pris-
oner perceiving the favorable circumstances for the
Archduke's escape. furnished him with horse in
order that he might the better elude the vgilant
At this transcendent moment the attention of some
of those around called to tho person of Maximi
ian. who was about to leave. when Colonel Rincon
said:-
General Veez, to whom this observation was ad-
dressed turned quickly round to his comrade and
commanded
Hold your tongue; it is but a citizen who has
been in the troops quarters
Colonel Rincon and the small group of officers who
were on the spot with General Veez felt convinced
that the retreatng figure that of the so-called
Emperor. but perceiving that there must be
for the order given to Colonel Rincon. they made
further remarks
This hitherto generally unknown incident has been
varously nterpreted but the truth of the matter is
that Veez had instructions to act he did, and had
Macmillan succeeded in escaping at that moment the
government would neither have been surprised nor
disappointed Instead, however, OF proiting by the
few precious minutes at his disposal he vacillated
some moments and then mounted the horse that
offered to him, giving orders to Colonel Lopez, whom
he still thought to be free agent to the effect that
such portion OF the troops had not been captured
should march in all haste to the Cerro de las Campo
mas; to which fatal spot he went himself without
delay.
THE DOOMED CITY ENTERED.
Having taken possession Of the Convento de la
Cruz the assaulting forces OF velez speedily
reinforced by those of the and the republ
penetrated to the plaza and to the Convent Of
out on the night air the knell OF infant empire
and the fate or royal parsonage, the brother OF
now arrived when the besieging forces leaving their
lines to the general assault in serried masses
and with fearful IN their looks. but the
defenders of the frst line of the fortified perimeter
of the city. among whom the news that the republ-
had forced the defences and taken them in
began to circulate. gave way at all points and re-
treated to the centre of the city. General Miramon.
who became alarmed at the sound of repeated
shots, lett his quarters and made for the principal
plaza; but in that of San Francisco he was met by
the advancing republicans and at opened fire
upon them from hls revolver which he continued to
use until pistol bullet wounded him III the face
when he hastily retreated in quest of surgeon He
afterward accidentally discovered and
Quoted to PRISON.
MAMMALIAN CAPTURED
The principal streets aud avenues of the town were
in possession of the republicans by daybrcak and
the imperial battalions cooped up the intervals.
finding themselves surrounded by enemies, either
disbanded or were taken prisoners. Some of them
directed their march to the Cerro de las Campanas
where Macmillan, fully aware of the confusion
among his troops aud the catastrophe to his cause,
had taken refuge He saw around him groups OF dis
organized troops who were unable to offer any
elective resistance to the besiogers. who adj
vanced from all parts and surrounding the Ccrro
in circle of iron and fire. Macmillan, who
felt convinced that all was over. Loisted
white fag-so Escobedo's secretary says-gave
orders to cease firing and to sound parley, sending.
at the same time two or three Of his aides to seek
the republican General Chief and advise him Of
his surrender. These officers first conducted
to Generals Ramon Corona and Aureano Rivera,
who. when they learned the mission of the flag of
truce, gave orders to sound firing and sent
word of the surrender to General Escobcdo who ut
the time. was on his rounds along another part of
the line Before the Genera-nChef was found
imperalis force which posted at the foot OF the
Cerro, approached In peaceful attitude to where
General Corona was. and one of the officers up
tell him that Macmillan wanted TO speak with him.
Gated and went to where the Archduke was waiting
for him. According to Escobedos secretary Max
imilian ut once said to Corona that he not then
Emperor having abdcated that title in the presence
OF his Council of State in Mexico. The republican
chief replied that he could not then enter into any
discussion about the title of Emperor; but he as
sured the Prince and those who with him that
they would be protected from moesaton pending the
arrival Of the GencranChief. few moments after
ward General Escobcdo. accompanied by numerous
staff rode up. Macmillan advanced to receive him,
and. after grave but courteous exchange of sautes
said that he wanted to speak privately with the Gen.
eral. Escobcdo went apart from his following to
hear what his illustrious prisoner had TO say. The
matter most serious. The Archduko made tho
proposal that had been advanced by Colonel
Lopez. The Prince asked
''wil you permit me TO march. accompanied by an
escort. to point on the coast where / may embark
for Europe, with the promise which will make on
my word of honor to not return to Mexico p
Escobcdo, arrnyed i'll the simple undress uniform
of the republican army, adjusted his god-bowcd
spcctaclcs surveyed the fallen Emperor with visible
signs of admiration aud sympathy for his misfor
tunes then. beating his bootleg with a not very
t.lxe