Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/217

Rh by a band of United States volunteers, and in conjunction with leaders like Naranjo, had captured all the towns along the Rio Grande, from Piedas Negras down. Finding defection among his troops, General Mejía, who still held the command in this region, retired within the walls of Matamoros, to await the aid promised by Bazaine. This coming by sea in the shape of a foreign legion, Negrete thought it best to turn back on May 2d, after a feeble demonstration for two days.

At the first news of the Juarist movements, the French commander-in-chief had despatched generals Brincourt and Neigre toward the Mapimí border, with a view to check the eastward movement of Negrete. Coming too late for this, he followed him, and at the same time Colonel Jeanningros advanced from San Luis Potosí, both moving on Saltillo. Negrete had reached the latter place in the middle of May, and occupied the adjoining pass of Angostura to stop their approach; but after a feeble skirmish he retired during the night of June 6th, taking, with