Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress
Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward
Mr. Secretary: For some days past the public press of this country have been publishing the report of a strange act, attributed to General Sedgwick, commanding in chief the United States forces at Brownsville, State of Texas. It has been said that the general referred to sent troops of the United States, who occupied Matamoros, at the moment when that city was attacked by General Escobedo, to carry out the orders he had from the government of the Mexican republic; the necessary result of such occupation being, under the circumstances in which that garrison stood, to interpose great difficulty to its capture by General Escobedo, whose forces were, in consequence, repulsed with serious and lamentable losses. This narrative, with more or less detail, has been confirmed by private letters. Besides, I hoped to have before me the official report of such occurrences in order to refer them to you on presenting the complaints which the case should require.
Notwithstanding I have not yet been able to obtain the official report which I wished for, and as I have no doubt that the facts treated of have substantially taken place as the press has related them, I think myself obliged to call to them your attention, transmitting to you herewith the annexed extracts from the Tribune and the World, of New York, correspondent with the 6th day of this month. Convinced, as I am, through various trustworthy reports, that the occupation of Matamoros, to which I allude, did not emanate from orders and instructions from the President of the United States, my object now is only to express the pain caused to me by this uncalled-for occurrence, through the mischief it occasioned to the loyal forces of my government, no less than for the sinister constructions which the enemies of the Mexican republic might put upon it, by attributing it to a direct intervention of the United States in the domestic affairs of that republic.
[Page 495]I should assure you that I entertain well-founded confidence that the government of the United States will take the measures necessary to chastise all who are responsible for the acts to which I confine myself, and to avoid in future the repetition of the like.
I avail of this occasion to repeat to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Special despatch to the New York World, December 6, 1866. ]
A special despatch to the Commercial, from Brownsville, Texas, dated November 30, says :
“General Sedgwick, on the 24th, made a formal demand on Colonel Canales for the immediate surrender of Matamoros, which was acceded to, and Canales occupied the fortifications, while the American flag floats over the city. A sufficient number of troops occupy the city to render the occupation secure.
“Escobedo attacked Canales on the 27th, and a desperate battle ensued, lasting-three hours, resulting in the defeat of Escobedo, with a loss of 600 men, including General Espinosa. Colonel Canales lost 75 men.
“Escobedo lays his defeat to the interference of United States troops.”
Another despatch says Escobedo attacked Canales in Matamoros on Tuesday morning at half-past five o’clock, but fell back after two hours’ desperate struggle. One occasion of his defeat was the occupation of Matamoros, three days before, by a body of American troops, who relieved Canales of the city, and left him to use his force in defending the fortifications.
Escobedo indignantly complains of the action of General Sedgwick. He expects re-enforcements, when he will resume the attack. Meanwhile, the American flag floats within the besieged defences.
SECOND DESPATCH.
Cincinnati, December 5.
The following is the full despatch to the Commercial:
The city of Matamoros was surrendered to General Sedgwick, commanding the United States forces on the Rio Grande, on the evening of the 24th instant. Colonel J. G. Perkins, of the 19th United States colored infantry, was placed in command. 118 men of the 4th cavalry crossed over and occupied the city on that day.
Colonel Canales made an official statement to General Sedgwick that, owing to his inability to pay his troops, he could no longer correct them, whereupon Sedgwick immediately demanded the surrender of the place, which was granted.
The following were the terms: First. Colonel Canales shall place Matamoros under the orders of the commander of the United States forces. Second, the latter guarantees to Canales and his forces their liberty, and secures the safety of their interests. Third, the persons and interests of all the inhabitants of Matamoros are to be respected, no matter to what nationality they belong. Fourth, the forces of Canales are to maintain their actual position. Fifth, no forces shall enter the place except those of the United States.
It will be seen that, under the agreement, General Sedgwick pledges himself that the forces of Escobedo, now besieging the city, shall not enter therein, and that the forces of Canales shall remain within the fortifications.
On Sunday morning, the 25th, Colonel Perkins issued the following order, which was posted about the streets:
[General Order No. 1.]
Headquarters United States Forces. Matamoros, November 24, 1866.
According to the orders which the undersigned has received, he takes command of this city in the name of the United States. The persons belonging to my staff are the following: Lieutenant J. S. Patterson, assistant adjutant general; W. T. Larkin, provost marshal; who shall be obeyed and respected as such.
M. G. PERKINS, Commander United States Forces.
A body of colored troops passed over Saturday night. During Sunday a pontoon bridge was laid at the ferry-way.
On Sunday evening, through the instrumentality of General Sedgwick, an interview was [Page 496] arranged between Canales and Escobedo, for the purpose of settling existing difficulties. Much bickering and recrimination ensued, and nothing was accomplished.
Escobedo announced his intention to attack the city at once. Monday, the 26th, passed in quiet. Colonel Perkins having been taken sick, Brevet Colonel A. M. Randall, company I, 1st artillery, was placed in command, and the American troops occupied the plaza, while Colonel Canales remained within the fortifications.
The attack began at 5 o’clock a. m. of the 27th. Escobedo opened his attack, the American flag meanwhile floating from the Government House. A feint was made by Cortinas on the south side of the city, while the main attack was made on the north side. Brisk firing continued up to 7 o’clock, but the attack was repulsed at every point. The American force in the city preserved peace and guarded the ferry, practically acting as provost guard.
Escobedo, who is endeavoring to enforce the authority of Juarez, attributes his defeat to the moral effect of the presence of the Americans, which he considered increased the strength of Canales threefold. He claims that orders were forwarded to General Sedgwick from Washington to afford him all the assistance which he might require in sustaining the authority of Juarez, and that, instead of doing it, he has assisted Canales, who is in open rebellion.
Escobedo’s loss in killed and wounded, captured and deserted, foots up 714 men.
During the fight on Tuesday morning Colonel Randall sent a message, under flag of truce, to Escobedo, informing him that the United States forces held the place, and directing that in no case should his forces advance beyond the fortifications without communicating with him (Randall.) Escobedo responded that he should be guided by circumstances; that the American commander had promised him to withdraw all his troops, save 50 men; and that he had broken his promise by retaining 300 men in the place. Randall, who had received orders in no case to fire on Escobedo’s men, immediately made arrangements to withdraw with the army in case he should be attacked. Battery I, of the 1st artillery, was stationed on the American bank to cover the troops, if for any reason they should have to fall back.
The following is a memorandum of the agreement entered into between Sedgwick and Escobedo prior to the attack:
First. General Sedgwick assures General Escobedo of the continued friendship of the United States government towards himself and the liberal government.
Second. The American commander considers himself as morally holding the city of Matamoros, under the terms of Canales’s surrender of that place to him; but it is for no hostile purpose, as regards the force commanded by General Escobedo, but to protect the lives and property of American citizens and others of foreign nationality.
Third. That the American commander will withdraw the armed forces in case an attack is made, with the exception of 50 men and two officers, who will report their presence to General Escobedo should he capture the city.
Fourth. That the United States forces shall hold Santa Cruz and the ferry, and that no armed men shall cross to the American shore.
This agreement had not been made known to Colonel Randall when he sent out the flag of truce.
Rumors of an attack on Brownsville by Cortinas were rife on Tuesday, the 27th, and 200 citizens were enrolled for defence; they were armed by the United States authorities. It proved nothing but a scare. On Wednesday this force was retained under arms to keep down any outbreak on the part of the Mexican population, as such was threatened.
The occupancy of Matamoros by the Americans caused the most bitter feeling among the people, and prominent citizens are accused of exciting the lower orders to an attack on the troops. General Sedgwick’s course is regarded as incomprehensible. He seems at first to have determined to take possession of and hold the city, with a view of eventually turning it over to Escobedo, and to have subsequently changed his mind and held it for the purpose of protecting American and other foreign citizens while Canales and Escobedo were fighting over the fortifications.
His position rids Canales of the necessity of taking care of the city and of protecting the ferry. The impression among his troops was that the American forces were in the city to assist them if necessary.
Escobedo announces his intention to renew the attack at an early date. Sedgwick has written to him, stating that he desired his success, and would do what he could to assist him. Escobedo returned a very bitter response.
General Sedgwick, apparently realizing the effect of his act, is doing what he can to remedy it. All supplies for Canales from this side have been stopped, and all the forces have been withdrawn, save a company of colored troops.
The steamer has just arrived from New Orleans and returns at once. It brought despatches to General Sedgwick, on receipt of which orders were issued for the withdrawal of the troops from Matamoros.
Advices received here from the city of Mexico say that Mejia left that city October 2, with orders to March on Matamoros with all speed. Another report says the liberal force under Queviro, Narajano, and others, were completely routed at the Hacienda de los Bocas, near San Luis Potosi. Quiroga left the main army with 1,000 cavalry, and marched upon Monterey, which had been left without defence.
[Page 497]Brownsville, December 1, 1866.
Upon the demand of General Sedgwick, the city of Matamoros, with the fortifications and troops, were surrendered to the United States last evening. The troops are to be treated as prisoners of war of the United States. Their lives and property are fully guaranteed. The city will be turned over to Escobedo. He is reported in possession.
[By telegraph to the New York Tribune, December 6, 1866. ]
The following despatch has just been received at this bureau from the Tribune bureau at Brcrwnsville:
Brownsville, November 30.
American neutrality on the Mexican border has again been sacrificed, but this time, instead of on the side of Juarez and justice, as under gallant but too impetuous Weitzel, it has been prostituted to serve a rebel and mutineer, as Servanda Canales, the usurper of Matamoros, is to our government as much an outlaw as Mejia, the imperialist. The former lacks the personal claims that entitled the gentlemanly commander and sober representative of Maximilian to respect and consideration. The mistake of General Sedgwick, therefore, in interfering in favor of Canales, is both a diplomatic and moral blunder. On Saturday, the 24th. instant, Escobedo, with about 2,700 men, being expected to attack Matamoros, Canales expressed a desire to surrender the place to Colonel Sedgwick, alleging, as his excuse, that he could not control his own command, which, he said, unless restrained, would resort to pillage. His request and reasons for this having been stated in writing, General Sedgwick responded by immediately crossing a detachment of the 4th cavalry and the 19th United States colored infantry, the former under Brevet Colonel McIntyre and the latter under Colonel Perkins. Colonel Perkins, with his colored troops, took station at Santa Cruz, which is at the ferry and about two miles from the city. McIntyre went into town and the next Sunday morning published an order assuming command of the surrendered city by virtue of rank, forbidding any but United States soldiers to carry arms, forbidding soldiers to pass or repass without authority, and requiring foreign citizens to register themselves at their several consulates, and to pass goods, if subject to pass, from headquarters of the American occupation. This order was countermanded and taken down by Colonel Perkins, sustained by General Sedgwick. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Randall, 1st United States artillery, soon after succeeded McIntyre in command.
Thus, while the city appeared nominally surrendered to the Americans, not only were Canales’s troops permitted to retain their arms, but left free to occupy in full force the fortifications against which Escobedo was to move. Late Sunday evening a meeting between Escobedo and Canales was arranged by Brevet Brigadier General Sedgwick, to the end of an amicable settlement, which, of course, was impossible—Escobedo, justly offended at the new attitude of affairs and the moderate support rendered by Americans to the cause of mutiny, refusing to accept anything less than unconditional surrender for Canales, at the same time demanding the withdrawal of the United States troops, except 50 men, to remain for the protection of American interests, which demand was agreed to by General Sedgwick, but he failed to comply with it. Instead of 50, 300 Americans were retained in the city, for which General Sedgwick’s precarious excuse is that it subsequently appeared the additional number of Americans were absolutely necessary as a defence against an uprising of the citizens, so outraged by such ill-timed intervention. To an American flag of truce sent out on the morning of the attack to inquire what would be the attitude of the assailants toward the Americans, Escobedo returned a curt reply that, as the stipulations had been violated, his own course would be guided by circumstances. At 5 o’clock on Tuesday morning, Escobedo attacked in full force, with about 2,700 infantry and artillery. The attack was begun upon the left, the east or lower side of the city, by Cortinas, who was repulsed; next at Fort Monterey, at the back of the city, on the Monterey road. General Lonneganega assaulted, but his bridge prepared for the trench proving too short, in the delay ensuing, the point of attack was re-enforced and rescued. The final assault upon the usurper, on the upper or west side of the city, by the cazadores and two squadrons of cavalry under Colonel Flores, was also successfully repelled by the ill-timed intermeddling of Americans, Canales being enabled to swing his whole force from side to side as needed, without fear of a distracted rear.
The following, from the Ranchero of the 29th is represented to be Escobedo’s general order extraordinary:
GENERAL ORDER FOR THE NIGHT OP THE 26TH OF NOVEMBER AND THE MORNING OF THE 27TH.
The general in command orders that to-morrow Matamoros be attacked by the forces under his command. For this the following columns will form, to which there will be given suitable [Page 498] positions: The first column shall attack Fort Freeport, and will be commanded by Colonel Alonzo Flores, and it will be composed of the battalion of Cazadores and the squadrons of Fernandez, Garcia, and Perez Villareal. The second column shall attack Fort Monterey. It will be commanded by General Lorenzo Viga, and will be composed of the Coahuila battalion, a company of the Foreign Legion, and free corps of the frontier. The distance between these columns will be covered by the corps of explorers, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ruperto Martinez. General Sosternes Rocha will have chief command of this line of attack. The reserve will be formed of one column of infantry and two of cavalry. On their flanks, the first will be composed of the battalion of sappers and miners, first Nuevo Leon, under command of General Albino Espinoza and his subordinates, composed of the bodies which form the light cavalry brigade, under command of their chief, Colonel Adolfo Garza. The artillery will give three pieces for the first column of attack, six for the second, and establish its respective parks in convenient positions. The train general will situate himself according to instructions of the provost. The Tamaulipas brigade, commanded by General Juan N. Cortinas, will attack the fortifications of the line, which to-day covers and comprises from Fort San Fernando to the Rio Grande, by the oriental part of the city. The point or points which ought to be attacked is left to his discretion, but on his most strict responsibility he is ordered to commence attack as soon as the line which attacks west of the city opens artillery. He is also ordered, within half an hour of the broken fire, to execute the assault on the fortifications which he attacks. General Cortinas will make a boundary in order to take possession of the enemy’s first fortified line quickly, without continuing the attack to the interior of the city, till headquarters give him proper instructions, in order to avoid a meeting of his column and the columns of attack. General Cortinas will be careful to give quick notice to headquarters as soon as he will have taken possession of the enemy’s first fortified line, and hold it at all hazards. The forces which attack the place will have for watchword, “Oajaca,” and for the countersign, “Durango,” and they will carry for distinction a green leaf of any kind of plant. The troops will immediately prepare themselves to march to their respective positions. At the first, order will be given by General Cortinas to the commanding generals, chief officers and soldiers who compose the forces which go to attack Matamoras, that they will be strict and active in discharge of duties, which are more important than ever to free themselves. The aforesaid general in command is convinced that each and every one of the citizens who make up the forces with whose command he is honored understands very well the object of the affair which to-day is confided to their valor and military skill. It is as important and glorious as if it treated of some national independence, which is the principal object of endeavors of ail Mexicans.
Headquarters, front of Matamoros.
By order of the general in command :
FELIPE BERRIOZABAL, Adjutant General.
Escobedo’s loss is rumored to be about 400. His right bower, General Espinosa, lies mortally wounded, shot through both thighs, a prisoner in Matamoras. This gallant young chieftain, a native of San Luis Potosi, already has no less than a dozen scars. General Sezvando Canales, youngest brother of M. Canales, was killed, and another brother, Tristane, seriously wounded.
The American flag is reported by Brownsville papers of the 29th to be still floating over Matamoros, supported by a garrison of about 50 men. Canales, emboldened by success and backing, still holds out, and, doubtless to the increased irritation of Escobedo, condescends to offer an arrangement for peace. Meanwhile, the American commander and usurper in Mexico has an elephant on hand of most egregious proportions. It is fair to state that Brevet Brigadier General Sedgwick is a young man, and, doubtless unduly influenced by representations from interested parties in Matamoros, has partly himself acted in good faith. Canales’s adjutant general (Major Foster) is a confederate—a New Yorker—who is said to have remarked of the American flag raised over Matamoros that he had fled 2,000 miles in vain to escape its shadow.
Brownsville, November 30.
Tuesday’s struggle lasted two hours. A pontoon was laid across the river near the ferry on Sunday, and Colonel Randall, sensitive of his ticklish position, had his two batteries drawn up on the American side in readiness to cross. A regiment of volunteer militia was raised for the defence of Brownsville, and was commanded by the notorious filibuster and confederate, Colonel Ford.
It is said that Marshall, the new American agent, successor to Mr. Avery, is now in Brownsville, afraid to return to his office, such is the danger from the loose soldiery of Canoles and from the citizens enraged at American intervention, who cry on the streets “Death to the Gringos!” Escobedo, it is understood, as soon as re-enforced by Trevino, will renew the attack, probably this week; but the hope of his troops must again be compassed by the prospect of the flag of a friend strangely supporting the foe.
The Tribune is indebted to Mr. Sterling, of New York city, who courteously takes charge of these despatches to telegraph office, Galveston.