Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/291

Rh contribution and the supposed diversion created among the republicans, he retired to join Castillo, who had made a movement toward San Luis Potosí. Unfortunately for him, Escobedo, commanding the republican army of the north, divined his intentions and intercepted him at San Jacinto on the 1st of February, attacking with a skill and determination that led to a complete rout. Escobedo stained his achievement with the wanton execution of a vast number of prisoners, notably a hundred French soldiers. Miramon arranged to join Castillo with a few followers and took refuge in Querétaro. Guanajuato had already fallen. Morelia followed in the crash, and now from Michoacan northward to the borders of San Luis Potosí the imperialists fell back to Querétaro, where the fortunes of the empire were to be decided.

In order to counteract the discouraging effect of Miramon's defeat and other disasters, Maximilian was persuaded to place himself at the head of the army, a