Maximilian and the American Legion [pp. 445-448]

1871.] MAXIMIZLIAN AND THE AMERICAN LEGION.
the contrary, it uniformly extended toward them full protection and amnesty.
The occupation of Durango by General Arranda was signalized by another
event, highly creditable to American gallantry. This was the arrival of General
La Vega at Durango, with a corps of
American volunteer officers, who offered
their services to the patriot army. They
were promptly accepted by President
Juarez in person, who reached Durango
a few hours after the French evacuation.
The whole number of Americans then
attached to the army under Arranda,
was sixty-seven, all tarmed with the
American repeating rifles, and all inured
to the hardships of war. They were organized, at their own request, into a single company, or battalion, and detailed
for service independent of the main body
of the army. As a mark of distinction, President Juarez conferred upon
the company the title of "American Legion of Honor." In the fierce engagements which preceded the fall of the Empire, they well earned the proud distinction of "Legion of Honor," and proved
that the imperial troops of Austria were
no match for the veteran volunteers who
carried their battle - flags through the
bloody fields of Chickamauga and Shiloh.
We shall not trace the Legion through
the' campaign, which ended in the catastrophe at Queretaro and the surrender
of Maximilian to General Corona, of the
Republican army. The siege of Queretaro continued, with varying success, for
ninety days, when it was terminated by
the surrender of Maximilian, on the I7th
of May, I866. The desperate sally of
the Imperialists, under General Miramon, at daylight, on the morning of the
i9th of April, momentarily turned the
scale in favor of the Archduke. The
right of the Republican line consisted of
fourteen thousand men, under General
Corona, and it became the chief object
of the furious assault of the besieged.
The attack was made with cavalry, and
it was sudden and irresistible; it was,
in fact, a surprise; and the result was,
that the Republican line wavered, then
broke into a tumultuous rout. The cavalry retired within their intrenchments
with two thousand prisoners, twentyseven pieces of artillery, and all the
commissary stores and camp equipage
of Corona's division. So total was the
rout and demoralization, that more than
two days elapsed before the scattered
columns were rallied and brought back
to the front by the American Legion.
The Prince Salm-Salm was attached to the staff of the Archduke Maximilian, during his brief Mexican reign.
These men were united by ties of blood.
The Prince was absolutely devoted to
the imperial cause, and the Princess, his
wife-who was an American womanfully shared the enthusiastic devotion of
her husband. Realizing the fact, that
the failure of the Archduke would probably be fatal to her husband, this lady
resolved to share their peril; and, after
a toilsome journey, she arrived within
the Mexican lines while the siege of
Queretaro was being prosecuted with
relentless vigor. Repairing to the headquarters of the Mexican commander, the
Princess announced herself, and entreated that officer to pass her through the
lines of the besieging army, and allow
her to join her husband within the city.
The Mexican General refused to grant
her request, but referred her to the officer then in command of the American
Legion. Here her appeal was not made
in vain. She was an American woman,
appealing to the gallantry of her own
countrymen, in a foreign land. Could
there be a doubt of the result? She
was instantly escorted through the lines,
and entered Queretaro under a flag of
truce. This incident may have impaired the confidence of the Mexican commander in the fidelity of the American
Legion, but it is a just cause of pride to
Americans everywhere.
447