The Second Battle of Puebla

By: Daniel Nardini

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Local News In the book The Two Battles of Cinco de Mayo by M.J. Philipus and John F. Garcia, the two battles of Puebla were decisive not only for victory over the French but in saving Mexico in the long run. The book obviously talks about the First Battle of Puebla where Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated an invading French force from Veracruz trying to seize Puebla and then Mexico City. This first battle, which took place on May 5, 1862, became known as “Cinco de Mayo” and a holiday in Mexico thereafter.

The Second Battle of Puebla is not as well known. In 1863, the French had reinforced their presence in Veracruz and set out with a much larger force against the Mexicans manning the fortresses in Puebla. This time the French had not only siege equipment but a better general. French Emperor Louis Napoleon had sent one of his top generals, General Elie Forey, to head this new force. Mexican General Zaragoza had died the year before, and so Mexican General Gonzalez Ortega succeeded him. General Ortega, from good intelligence reports brought to him by Mexican spies, knew he faced a force of 26,000 under the command of a very tough and determined general. Ortega only had a force of 15,000. Even though Ortega had reinforced the forts guarding Puebla, the French had vastly better siege equipment.

The Second Battle for Puebla began on March 26, 1863. Despite the French breaching the defenses, the Mexicans held them back in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The whole siege against Puebla would last almost two months until May 8. The bravery and tenacity of the Mexicans truly impressed the French, and even the French press expressed admiration for the Mexicans. Nevertheless, Ortega knew that his men were near exhaustion, running out of ammunition and provisions, and it was only a matter of time before the French took Puebla.

In a meeting with all the Mexican generals in Puebla, Ortega made it clear there were only two alternatives—fight to the end and lose the whole Mexican army, or withdraw and prepare for defense of the country elsewhere. The generals chose the second course of action. The Mexican army retreated in good order. They passed through Mexico City and they and the Mexican government headed north. The French took not only Puebla but also Mexico City. The French thought they had conquered the country. What they did not realize was that the Mexicans had skillfully withdrawn to fight another day. And this fight for Mexico’s independence from the French would continue for another four years until the French were forced to leave Mexico and Mexico would be free again.

Yes, the Second Battle of Puebla was a French victory. But, it was not a Mexican defeat. The second point is significant. The Mexicans knew they could not beat such an overwhelming force, but they skillfully saved the army and government of Benito Juarez to continue the fight. Had the Mexicans stayed and fought to the end in Puebla the history of Mexico would be very different. if this happened Mexico might still be a colonial possession of France to this day. The Second Battle of Puebla became part of the longer fight that would ultimately save Mexico.

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