Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/325

Rh heads and tear-dimmed eyes. The other officers were consigned to the adjoining church, and the rank and file to the camps, there to be incorporated among the liberal forces. Escobedo, in reports and proclamations, attributed the fall of the city to the actions of his army.

The inhabitants were not molested, save those who neglected the stringent order to denounce all officers in hiding. This caused the surrender of Miramon and many other leaders, of whom several fell victims to the blind fury of the uncontrolled soldiers. A few managed to escape, among them General Arellano. Mejía, to whose generosity Escobedo owed his life not long before, was offered means for flight; but the noble Indian would not accept liberty unless in company with Maximilian and Miramon. This was declared impossible. "Then let me die with them," he said. Mendez remained in hiding, and being betrayed, he was led out and shot, in accordance with the recent proclamation, but really in retaliation for his loudly condemned execution of the republican general