Señor Don Matias Romero to William H. Seward, June 14, 1866

Señor Romero to Mr. Seward

Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to enclose to you, for the information of the government of the United States, a copy of No. 16 of the official paper of the government of the Mexican republic, dated the 17th of May last, embracing two communications from General Corona, chief of the brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco, dated the 21st and 23d of March last, containing his official report of the advantages gained by the national forces in the first of those states mentioned over the French forces and interventionists, from the 18th to the 22d of the month mentioned, in the vicinity of Mazatlan, and the answer of the minister of war to those communications on the 9th of May last. The annexed paper also contains a communication from the governor of the state of Sinaloa, dated 7th of April last, transmitting a note of General Corona giving an account of other advantages over the interventionists at Gaudalupe, and the minister of war’s answer thereto, General Don Ignacio Mejia, in the president’s name.

You will also find in the same paper the official report of General Garcia Morales, governor and military commander of the state of Sonora, on the taking of Magdalena, a town of that state, garrisoned by interventionists.

I accept the occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

[Translation.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND OFFICE OF WAR AND MARINE—SECTION FIRST.

By your report of the 7th of April, the citizen president of the republic is informed of the important movements of the general-in-chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco, which broke up the expedition of Lozada and his French allies, by an attack at Concordia, forcing them to retreat in great disorder, and seek refuge in the port of Mazatlan, protected by the gunboat Lucifer, stationed there.

The citizen president instructs me to express his satisfaction at the courage of the officers and men who gained this great victory, the result of which is to embarrass the enemy and encourage our party to attack Mazatlan.

The citizen president regrets our losses, particularly the death of the valiant General José M. Gutierrez and Colonel Onofre Campaña; also of Major Francisco Cruz Peña, and other officers and men who fell in the action, and contributed so much to its fortunate result. Please inform the general-in-chief of the united brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco that the citizen president is much pleased with his conduct, and congratulates him on the happy results of the victory.

Independence and liberty! Paso del Norte, May 9, 1866.

MEJIA.

Citizen Governor and Military Commander of the State of Sinaloa, Culiacan.

Paso del Norte, May 9, 1866.

True copies:

[Translation.]

GOVERNMENT OF SONORA—REPUBLICAN ARMY, FIRST BRIGADE—GENERAL-IN-CHIEF.

Citizen Governor: As I informed you, and not to remain inactive while forces are collecting for action inland, I ordered a movement, which has resulted in the disarming of certain towns. On the 2d instant I set out from Banamichi, in great haste, to surprise Opodepe and Tuape, where I captured seventy muskets and a few horses.

On the night of the 4th I halted four miles from Gucurpe, having unexpectedly come up with the enemy at that place. I proposed a parley, which was answered by shouts for the empire by the defenders of the place. Having rested sufficiently, and observing that the traitors were preparing for resistance, I ordered three companies to advance in different directions, till they came within speaking distance of the besieged. This operation lasted one hour; then firing began on both sides, and continued till 2 o’clock, when the imperialists were dislodged from the house-tops and towers they were occupying, thanks to our sharpshooters on the slope of a hill near by.

At 4 o’clock a signal for parley was made. The rebel chief offered to surrender with a guarantee of life. This was granted, and the following articles were given up: 120 muskets, 2 chests of ammunition, 118 cartridge-boxes, and a few lances.

The garrison consisted of 115 men, 10 officers, the commander-in-chief, and ex-Lieutenant Colonel Don Manuel J. Castro.

Independence and liberty! Magdalena, April 6, 1866.

J. G. MORALES.

Citizen Governor and Military Commander of the State of Sonora, (wherever he may be.)

A true copy: