Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-15
THE RESCUE OF cARLoTTA.


hotel the other day. and for several
hours discussed interesting events of
the civil war period. They told many
stories about Shelby, and some of his
experiences in Mexico, where he had
gone, with many other Confederates,
after the affair at Appomattox. Max
imilisn was then in Mexico, partly be-
cause Of Louis Napoleon's belief that
the Confederate cause would triumph.
Bazaine was the soldier Of the Mexican
empire. He was a marshal Of France
and was covered with medals. He had
been taught In the school Of discipline,
and when the Mexicans began desert
ing Maximilian's standard he hunted
them down and killed them without
mercy. Mexico resented Bazaine's
work and rebelled. They plotted for
the overthrow of the invader. Shelby
appeared at this critical time and Of
fered the services Of himself and fol-
lowers. all Americans. Through the
influence of officials Of Maximilian's
army Shelby reached the presence Of
the emperor. Court rules were not OBJ
served at the meeting. 1t is said that
Shelby stood with his old slouch hat
under his arm as he addressed the en-
peror. Bazaine was present
Shelby's proposition to Maximilian
was brusquely stated. His plan was to
enlist In the service Of the empire; to
recruit 10000 Americans, who were to
take the place Of the native troops; TO
encourage immigration and to educate
the people with sense of bettering
their condition. The emperor listened
attentively. When Shelby had stated
his proposition he followed 1t with the
prediction that 1t was only question
of time before the French soldiers
would be Withdrawn. The emperor
asked him why he thought so. Be
cause" Shelby quickly answered. tine
war between the states Is at an end'
and Mr.. Seward will insist on the en-"
forcement of the Monroe doctrine,
France wants no trouble with the
United States. When I departed from
the United States I left behind me l.
O0O, 900 men in arms, not one Of whom
has yet been discharged from service.
The nation is sore over this occupation
and the presence Of the French here Is
considered menacing." Maximilian had
become deeply interested. Shelby halt
ed in his speech. The emperor asked
him to continue. 1.-THE matter Of
which I have spoken to you," Shelby
continued, "is feasible. I am certain
that the American government would
not be averse to the enlistment OF aS
many soldiers in your army as mighi,
wish to take service, and the number
need be limited only to the exigencies
of the empire Thrown upon your own
resources you would have no difficulty,
believe in establishing the most
friendly relations with the United
States. In order to put yourself In a.
position to do this, and in order to sus-
tain yourself sufficiently long 70 fortify'
YOUR occupation Of Mexico, and make
your government a strong one, l think
| Il absolutely necessary to surround
yourself with a corps of foreign SOL
diers, devoted to you personally, ana
reliable in any emergency. 1 have un-
der my command at present 1,OOo trieo'
and experienced troops. All OF them
have seen much severe and actual SER
vice, and all of them are anxious to
enlist in support of the empire. II J.
have your permission and the author
ity of your name to increase my forces
I can make good in a few months all
the promises 1 have made here today"
Maury indorsed all that Shelby said,
Bazaine could not because Of his po"
sition. He was still a soldier of two
empires. It Is said that Maximilian
was entirely favorable to Shelbys
plan, but he could not consent to them
without the consent Of Bazaine.
When Shelby left the emperor, the
latter's secretary, De None, accompan-
led him and said: 1T is Of no use. The
emperor is firm on the point Of diplo-
macy. He Is Of the opinion that Mr.
Seward is favorably disposed toward
him, and he still has faith in the Mex
leans. He believes his plans are to the
interest of the American government
and that that government Will recog-
nize him. He does not understand the
people over whom he rules. He Is an
enthusiast, reasoning from the heart
instead of the head. He will not give
you employment"
II knew It," Shelby replied. "How?'
asked De None. From his counte-
nance" Shelby answered. mot once
could I bring the blood to his calm
face. He has faith. but no enthusi-
asm. He will fail in his diplomacy.
He will not have time to work his
problem out. Before an answer can
come from Seward to the emperor's
minister Of state. the emperor Will
have no minister Of state" When
Shelby returned to his friends he
said to them: I'VE are not wanted.
I see that you are disappointed and
I know the reason why" The men
gathered about Shelby and discussed
their situation. There was no turn
! ing back and they had to live. They
gave up their dream of fighting for
the empire and went to work. The
emperor gave them land in a prov
ince where the SOL was fertile. The
Americans built a city in day and
called it Carlotta, after the empress
Some Of them soon tired Of the re-
pose and left, never to return. Some
titled the soil, and few Of them en-
listed in the imperial army. Shelby
became a freighter. Bazaine soon
made trouble. He insisted that the
church should favor immigration
and progress and the church refused.
The trouble grew. Maximillian was
abandoned. There was open insur-
rection in Yucatan and pestilence
came with 1t. Carlotta went there
as a messenger of mercy to help the
stricken. Her mission was a failure.
She decided to return to her own, tell
tha otoru of Mavirn apd appeal for