Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/271

Rh were those of Mendez, who blocked the route to Tampico, of Escobedo, chief of the army of the north, who held forth between Linares and northward, and Gonzalez Herrera and Treviño, who hovered round Parras. This place being surprised during a sortie by the Mexican garrison, Commandant Briant of Saltillo came to the rescue, and reinstalled Campos, the imperialist prefect, on the 20th of February. A few days later he set out with 400 men to attack the liberals at the adjoining rancho of Santa Isabel; but he had miscalculated both their number and position, and his force was cut to pieces and captured, a few horsemen alone escaping to Parras. This place was now attacked, but relief columns arrived, and it was held till the progress of events enabled the Juarists to occupy it permanently toward the close of June.

The sad result of Briant's rashness caused Bazaine to issue more stringent orders than ever against any operation by Frenchmen beyond the immediate vicinity of their posts and lines; the pursuit of guerrillas must be left to the Mexicans.

A still greater disaster to the imperial arms occurred on the route from Monterey to Matamoros, traversed at intervals by convoys. Jeanningros had in April advanced to Charco Escondido to exchange caravans and give Mejía a reënforcement of 600 Mexicans. With this aid the latter was able to take a more determined attitude toward the closely pressing opponents, whose ranks were swelled by discharged soldiers from the Texan side. In June again an exchange of convoys was to be effected; and to this end General Olvera left Matamoros with about 1,800