Battle of Puebla: 5th May 1862
From A Life of Benito Juarez by Ulick Ralph Burke, 1894.
From: 1862 C.E. To: 1862 C.E.
Location: Puebla, Mexico
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
From A Life of Benito Juarez by Ulick Ralph Burke, 1894.
On the 25th of April, the mail arrived from Paris, with the news of the repudiation of the Convention of Soledad, and with orders for Lorencez, promoted General of Division, to march at once upon Mexico.
Three days later, at Orizaba (April 28th), Almonte, the protege of the French Army, proclaimed himself President, Supreme Ruler of the Mexican nation, and Commander-in-Chief of the National Armies and issued a magniloquent Proclamation calling upon his countrymen to welcome the “beneficial and civilizing influence of the illustrious Sovereign of France."
Almonte had few followers, and no friends. But he asserted that Generals Zuloaga and Marquez, Mejia and Miramon, would probably flock to his protected banners; and that while the Mexican clergy were ready to bless, the Mexican people were ready to support, the French invaders.
Relying, it is possible, over much upon these magnificent assurances, and eager in any case for military glory which might justify the violation of the Convention of Soledad, General Lorencez lost not an hour in. giving orders for that forward march, for which no doubt he had been already fully prepared; and by the evening of the 4th of May, the French Army, something over 5,000 strong, had arrived within striking distance of Puebla. The civil population had everywhere fled at the approach of the invaders. Zaragoza, the Mexican Commander-in-Chief, had so far made no resistance. Lorencez proposed to enter the city of Mexico early in the following week. Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl were already in sight. The poet, who always accompanies such armies, was already preparing his hymn of triumph. A small fort—the fort of Guadalupe—which dominated the city of Puebla, was to be occupied the next morning.
At break of day the troops were under arms. But General Zaragoza was before them. And after a combat which reached its height soon after midday, and was prolonged until late in the afternoon, the French were handsomely beaten, with a loss of over five hundred men, leaving twenty five prisoners in the hands of the National troops (5th of May, 1862.)
The news of this victory was received at the capital with the utmost joy. The well-deserved thanks of the President were conveyed to General Zaragoza and his able lieutenants, Negrete, Berriozabal, Lamadrid, and a young General who won his spurs on that glorious day, and who, as Porfirio Diaz, was destined to find undying honour among the great and good men of regenerate Mexico.
The Chambers resolved that all the officers and soldiers engaged in the battle had deserved well of their country. A subscription was opened to present Zaragoza with a sword of honour. The Government of Juarez was stronger than ever. But the Absolutist party made no sign; Lorencez and his French army of civilisation, instead of continuing their march upon Mexico, thought it more prudent to retreat to the comfortable quarters at Orizaba, that had been placed at their disposal by the Mexican Government just three months before.
Burke, Ulick Ralph. A Life of Benito Juarez. Remington and Company, 1894.
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