Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-27
SOUTHERNERS IN EXILE,
rutr STORY or THE CoNFEDE
RATES IN MEXICO.
INTERVIEW WITH MACMILLAN.
prison Life in Fort Delaware
graphically Described-A News
paper Issued Therc-Chivnlry az n
Confederate officer.
Rhiladelnhla Tlmes.l

philadelphia Times)
The true story of the Confederates in
Mexico has never been told, except in
mere fragments, such as personal Incl
dents. adventures, and bits of local his
tory The historian has neglected one
O.. The exciting episodes of the century
SD not recording 1t, as it is connected with
one of the strangest fatalities Of history.
It Is intimately connected with the great
struggle FOR the preservation Of the
American UniOn-One of the echoes OF
that Titanuc conflict, as MaXimilian's
throne was based upon the expectation
%. Confederate success. When the Con-
ialeracy fell the foundations of the en-
Yr1 began crumbling away, for the
spirit OF Monroe stil lived with 4 million
ly0nets behind it. Davis was in the
dungeon at Fortress Monroe, his armies
had ceased fighting. and the Confederacy
was q thing of the past, when General
Joe Shelby appeared az the City of Next
90 at the head Of 900 bronzed veterans,
booted spuTred, and armed. Others
were there from every grade Of rank up
O. generals, Governors, senators. But
they had come as individuals, in twos,
threes, and dozens. His party had come
as an army body from the Rio Grande,
so miles away, and had fought their
way through. foraged on the country 10
sustain themselves. and their horses. On
several occasions they had thrashed some
Mexican bands who had dared TO OPP
pose them. on nearing the capital they
were met by some French cavalry, the
officers of whom demanded TO know who
they We're and whore they were going.
Shelby rode forward and explained. one
OF the officers could speak English, and
soon it was known by the Frenchmen
that they were body Of Lees veterans
come TO offer their services to the en-
pire. They were received cordially and
conducted 10 the city The commandant
of the post. Tearing that they had no
money. promptly ordered rations issued
TO them, and assigned a spot 10 them
for a camp. Tired and dusty the vete-
rams rested. confident of the future
There were already some 1000 Confede-
rates in the city, the large majority OF
whom We're officers or men prominent in
civil life in the Confederacy. not a few Of
whom believed they HAD cause 10 fear
the worst should they fall into the hands
of the victorious Yankees. Magruder.
Maury, Harris, Reynolds. and others
equally prominent were there. II was a
city of refuge in every sense of the word.
Having come in as individuals, seeking
employment, no TauOns were issued to
them. as IN the case with Shelbys men.
Naturally, Shelby became a centre OF in
terest 10 all parties-French MeXicans,
and Americans. He was the only Con-
federate officer who was on tho scene
with something behind him-a thousand
veteran soldiers fresh from some OF the
greatest battle-feld5 Of modern times.
Probably not 10 PEE cent. Of the men
with him had followed his lead beyond
the Rio Grande. More than two-thirds
Of them had been leaders themselves,
leading brave mon in desperate charges;
but now a new condition confronted them,
and they were willing to serve where they
could.
A few days after his arrival in the
CITY. Shelby called a council Of the most
prominent officers who had come through
from Laredo with him 10 consult over
the situation. 1t was decided TO make
tender of service TO the Imperial Coy
eminent. and a committee, with Shelby
at its head was appointed for that pur-
pose. That committee quickly authorized
him 10 make an offer TO raise 10000 Con-
Tolerate soldiers Tor the empire, and that,
too within a period Of from four to six
months, II the Imperial Government
would accept them. No one doubted that
such number could easily be enlisted.
Said O member Of the committee TO a
cOmrade:
IF the Emperor could induce Lee to ac-
Cept the command Of his army 100000 men
yyo,IId come with him" Those who heard
the remark agreed with the speaker. But
that was not 10 be. and so Shelby called
On Marshal Bazaine. commandments
OF the French army in Mexico, then in the
zenith of his fame, y consult him about
the tender Of services TO the empire me
Marshal referred him 20 the Minister OF
War. and sent one Of his stan oncers 10
Introduce him 10 that official The latter
received him cordially ana TAXED lieolS
with him over the situation, asking now
many men the general had WIN nm =
The general said he had the nucleus VI
sanl men. % 600 Of whom would enlist
y..bt, four months after the acceptance
Of the offer. The Minister was stagseleu.
lie had expected the offer of a regimen
or two and here was a veteran army oi
soClD mon instead. For a few moment .
he was In doubt about Shelby's aDihty 10
raisa such "a force. He knew Magruoer,
Naurv. and others then I'm the city. anu
mentioned their names, wishing 70 hho"
n they were included I'm the oner.
NO" said the general Dut wou,S
suggest that you consult win mem mem, 80 ~
fatisfv Yourself whether II Is posslDle ~
enlist such a force from inc H"s
Of the Confederate armies
The Minister made an appointfnen, Ia
another interview, and Shelby re'u' no :
70 report the result Of ms Nisl, as
committee felt sanguine Of success, .a 40
did the great majority Of the Conl l,se5
rates IN the city. and eagerly aw ,.,e,.
Inc next meeting with the War Alin nlsioi
The French officers were pohte, eo' 49,. ~,
in fact. Z all the veterans whensVsl III, ,ss
met But the Mexican officers s,.sol ~ TO TO
Emperors service seemed disposeu ~ ~
hold aloof. fact that did not e sU,e.
notice. The two Mexican generals 49,, -
mon and MeJia-were exceptions nv ,he
ever. and seemed pleased 10 ui'e' ,rs 80
veteran officers Of Lees army 80,
were both good fighters and haa ,, Fin.
much hard service In the pet'y .',sao,
tlOna that had preceded the esta o. ~
OF the empire. II was well-khown the
10 an Americans at that time snnr me
masses OF Mexico had never forgiven 49, =
yictorfes OF scott and Taylor, twen ny
Yeas before. hence the coolness o. sns
Mexican supporters OF the emp'ie W."
understood by the Confederates. ,ur-
Al The second Interview with the sa-