Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/288

268 embarkation of troops, 28,690 in all, had been going on regularly since February 14th, more than thirty vessels, including transports, mail-steamers, and ships of the squadron, having gathered in the harbor for the purpose. The last of the Belgians had left in January, and most of the Austrians followed, only a regiment of hussars and a battalion of infantry of the latter remaining with their prince.

Bazaine embarked the last of all, on March 12th, for Toulon, there to bear the brunt of popular ill-will, which had been slowly growing under the accumulating news of sterile victories and wasted millions, till capped by the humiliating reasons for the retreat, and the inglorious circumstances attending it. The government sought prudently to divert attention as much as possible from itself by fostering the feeling against the marshal. No salutes of honor were accorded to him, and he retired for a while under a cloud, silent as beseemed a subject to his sovereign; yet it escaped not attention that he was never called to answer for the missteps imputed to him.

Castelnau returned at the same time and obtained promotion. Dano remained after having in February