Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/75

Rh our fleet was successfully assisting the operations by effecting landings on the two coasts, of the Gulf and of the Ocean. But the Mexican arms, when left to themselves, appeared to be less fortunate. General Vicario, who occupied the southern road to the Pacific, although he had been warned twenty days beforehand by the commander-in-chief that General Douay's movements on his right would inevitably have the effect of turning back on him a portion of the enemy's forces, had taken no defensive measures, and found himself forced to beat a retreat. In order to protect the town of Cuernavaca, left uncovered by the imperialist reverse, and to relieve the country, already becoming demoralised, Marshal Bazaine lost no time in sending a column to the endangered districts.