[Untitled], May 16, 1866.

[Untitled]

Dear Sir: I wrote to you on the 3d of last month from this place, acknowledging the receipt of your despatches, and informing you of the condition of the army under my command, so that you might use your influence to induce the government of the republic to give me the aid necessary to carry out my plans.

As important events have occurred in Michoacan since I wrote you, I will proceed to give you an account of them, hoping you will appreciate them properly, and do your best to have the supplies I need so much sent to me.

As the imperialists knew they would have a powerful enemy to their organization as long as the army of the centre was permitted to exist, though reduced to a skeleton, determined to destroy it at all hazards, they therefore sent an expedition of six thousand men against our seven hundred naked, ill-armed and suffering soldiers. They came to the attack in three columns, perfectly organized; the plan of their campaign could not be better, for they could force me to fight and destroy me, or compel me to fall back upon the State of Guerrero, with my ragged, starving, needy soldiers, where they would certainly perish of famine, as that country is entirely destitute of supplies.

But the expedition failed, because the two columns of four thousand French had to go into the interior of the republic on account of defeats in the borders of the States of Jalisco and Guanajuata. Thus deserted, the traitors abandoned the towns they had occupied, and concentrated on a line they thought more easy of defence.

My troops did not suffer as much as was expected, because I left the unhealthy situation where I had been camped, and moved to the enemy’s rear with the cavalry, and continued to annoy him till my infantry had passed the Balsas river. I was pleased to see my men endure all sorts of hardships patiently, thus showing how patriots can suffer.

So here we are again, after a march of one hundred leagues through a sickly and destitute country, and my forces have increased in numbers, thanks to General Alvarez, who gave me arms for them; and my cavalry have improved, so we are almost ready to march upon the enemy.

So you will see, Mr. Minister, I only want arms and means to place the central army in a respectable condition, and I hope you will try to procure me both.

Your very obedient servant,