Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/44

 CHAPTER III.

HE third phase of the expedition begins with the entry of the French force into the capital of Mexico. (July 1863). It comprises two entirely distinct periods, during which the two French commanders-in-chief who succeeded one another respectively followed out a diametrically opposite course of action. This want of harmony in the views of the military and political authorities was the necessary consequence of a programme the object of which had been at first concealed; it was, too, the cause of dangerous and unwise measures, and of sudden changes, which excited the mistrust even of that portion of public opinion which was most favourable to intervention. The sacred fire of our army began even to burn dully; for its good sense was not long in error as to the value of men and things, which it had been the better able to judge of as it advanced farther into the interior of the country.

To our military movements, to which Mexico had been assigned as the glorious goal, now succeeded the political organisation of the country, the regular government of which had disappeared before our flag. This task fell upon General Forey, with the co-operation of