The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. - (Received April 1) Admiralty, March 31, 1862 Sir, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send to you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a letter dated the 26th ultimo, from Commodore Dunlop, and of its inclosure, addressed to Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, reporting his proceedings and the state of affairs in Mexico. (Signed) G. PAGET Inclosure No.1 Commodore Dunlop to the Secretary to the Admiralty "Challenger" at Vera Cruz, February 26, 1862. Sir, I have the honour to transmit, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter, and its several inclosures, which I have addressed to Vice Admiral Sir A. Milne, K.C.B., Commander-in-chief, reporting proceedings and the state of affairs in Mexico. (Signed) HUGH DUNLOP Inclosure No.2 Commodore Dunlop to Vice Admiral Sir A. Milne "Challenger" at Vera Cruz, February 26, 1862. Sir, In my letter of the 30th January I had the honour to inform you, in detail, of the political occurrences up to that date, and to forward a copy of a letter addressed by the Commissioners on behalf of the allied Powers to his Excellency the President of the Republic, and the answer received thereto; I have now the honour to annex copies of a further correspondence between the Commissioners and General Doblado, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, marked Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the latter transmitting to the General a copy of a letter, received from General Zaragoza, which, with the answer to it, is also herewith annexed, marked Nos.5 and 6 [These and No.7 I have not included, only the summary of the initial letter. T.D.H.] . The Inclosure No.1. expresses the intention of the allies to advance in search of a more healthy situation about the middle of the present month, giving the Mexican Minister to understand that this step had become imperative, and would be taken under any circumstances. This letter was agreed to after being fully discussed by the Commissioners, and not before it was apparent to them that the health of the troops was such as to call for a speedy change of quarters in order to arrest the daily increasing sickness in each of the camps. Inclosure No.2. from the Mexican Minister being expressed in ambiguous terms, and proposing the delay of a Conference at Cordova, instead of an immediate consent to the advance of the troops, produced in the minds of the Commissioners a strong suspicion that it was the intention of the Mexican Government, first, to create delays with a view to increasing the sickness amongst the allied troops, and finally to break off negotiations; this opinion was strengthened by the letter, the copy of which is marked No.5. from General Zaragoza, which was insolent and uncalled for, and by the reports received of the violent feelings expressed by the heads of the Ultra Liberal Party against foreign intervention, which it seemed probable might be too strong for the Government, even if well-disposed, and force them to break off negotiations with the Commissioners. I have already had the honour to point out that the absolute necessity of removing the troops from Vera Cruz left the Allied Commander-in-chief no alternative; an advance was imperative. After fully considering the letter received from General Doblado, and the question in all its bearings, as a last attempt at a peaceable solution of the question, the letter of which Inclosure No.3. is a copy was addressed to the Mexican Minister, proposing a Conference between General Prim, on the part of the Commissioners, and himself, half-way between the allied camp at Tejiria and the Mexican force at Soledad; and in the meantime it was mutually agreed that every means should be adopted to procure the necessary transport for the allied force, with a view to march on Orizaba or Jalapa, as might be determined on, with or without the sanction of the Mexican Government according to circumstances. The Spaniards, having sent back to Havana at least 1,000 men sick, and having fully as many more in hospital here, General Prim wrote for a reinforcement of four battalions from Havana, and the French will receive an addition of 500 Zouaves that are expected to arrive about the 1st March. I sent Major Digby, R.M.A., who is acting as Chief of the Staff, to Havana in Her Majesty's ship "Barracouta", with orders to purchase waggons and mules, and other means of transport for our men, as the supply is entirely cut-off here by the Mexicans. Intelligence soon after this reached us that General Doblado, whom I may here mention is the man of the most talent and energy in the Administration, and consequently in person may be said to represent the whole Government, had arrested the most violent of the Ultra Party, and so far disembarrassed himself of their opposition and influence. On the 17th we received a letter from Dablado saying he would meet General Prim as proposed, on the 19th. This meeting has taken place, and has resulted in the Agreement contained in the annexed document, marked No.7., by which the allies take upon themselves the engagements therein specified. Although this may lead to a prolonged occupation, I am not without hopes that it will result in great good to the Republic. In following the narrative of results, as detailed in my different despatches, from the time of our landing here, you will no doubt perceive the chain of circumstances that have gradually led to the necessity for our advancing with the French and Spanish forces, independent of the state of health of the brigade, which alone makes either an immediate advance or a retreat to our shipping an absolute necessity. Supposing that no sickness had prevailed in our camp, had circumstances led to hostilities we could not in honour have allowed our allies to advance and fight within twenty-five miles of us, which they must have done, without joining them, even if we had marched back to Vera Cruz after taking our share in clearing the mountain-passes between this and Orizaba or Jalapa, where all serious attack on our forces would have ended. I believe I have said more than sufficient to show that, putting aside political and sanitary reasons for advancing the brigade of Marines to the upper country, had hostilities arisen (as we had until within these few days the greatest reason to suppose would be the case), our honour made the advance along with our allies imperative: such being the case, it was the first duty of the officer in command to take every possible means within his reach for the proper equipment of his force, in order that, for want of the means of transport, the men should not be exposed to hardships and loss from which their commander was bound to do his utmost to shield them. Very considerable expense has been incurred in order to provide the brigade with the means of marching, but every possible care shall be taken that no unnecessary outlay is made. I have had everything to provide, but with the assistance of the squadron and the artizans in the brigade, a great part of the necessary material has been furnished from our own resources, and too great praise cannot be bestowed upon the officers and men of both services for the exertions they have made to provide the required equipment. We have made all our own tents, fitted the battery of four Armstong guns for service, and made all our harness for the mules, as well as several carts, pack-saddles, &c.; for the Mexicans having left Vera Cruz, no work-people are to be procured, and no material of the kind required can be purchased here. You will observe that in the preliminary Agreement between General Prim and General Doblado, which is approved by the Commissioners collectively (document No.7), by Article 2 it is agreed that negotiations will be opened in Orozaba, and in Article 3 that the allied forces shall occupy the towns of Cordova, Orizaba, and Tehuacan. These towns are on the direct road to the city of Mexico, situated in the most healthy part of the country. The sentiments that dictated Article 4 on both sides are so manifest that no especial remark is called for. In the event of negotiations being broken off, the allies agree to fall back behind the fortified positions to Paso Ancho its on the Orizaba road, and to Paso de Ovegas, if on that of Jalapa; thus leaving the Mexicans free to re-occupy the passes of Chiquihuite and Puente Nacional. Article 6 permits the Mexican flag to be hoisted beside that of the allies in Vera Cruz and San Juan d'Ulloa, upon the day that they commence their march to occupy the towns named in Article 3, but this privilege is merely an honorary one, as the allies will continue in sole military possession of both Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan, no Mexican troops being allowed to enter. Since writing the above we have received the ratification of the Preliminary Agreement by President Juarez; the Mexican flag has been hoisted here, along with that of the allies, and the French force has marched for Tehuacan, which is about fifteen leagues beyond Orizaba; it was therefore desirable they should march first. Both the Spaniards and French have suffered very much from sickness as well as ourselves, and the French have latterly lost several men from yellow fever; it would be most disastrous if that disease became general, and daily the danger of its becoming so increases. I therefore feel more and more the importance of speedily leaving Vera Cruz. The Mexican flag having been hoisted here, a very small number of men will suffice for the performance of our share of the garrison duty, and as these men can be changed frequently, so as to expose them to a very short continuous residence on shore, I have little doubt that much sickness will be avoided. It was determined by the Commissioners at a Conference held yesterday that the Custom-house should be restored to the Mexican authorities, upon their agreeing to the appointment of three Interventors (one of each nation) for the purpose of strictly superintending the distribution of the receipts which should be apportioned for the payment of the different assignments according to the Conventions acted on previous to the suspension of all payments by the Law of the 18th July last. No discussion has yet taken place with reference to restoring the legal and municipal functions in Vera Cruz to the hands of the Mexicans, but the feeling among the Commissioners seems in favour of the step, the allies retaining the military government of the town. (Signed) HUGH DUNLOP The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. - (Received April 1) Admiralty, March 31, 1862 Sir, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a letter dated the 26th ultimo, addressed by Commodore Dunlop to Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, reporting his intention of embarking the battalion of Royal Marines, and, as a sanitary measure, sending them to Bermuda. (Signed) C. PAGET Inclosure 1 Commodore Dunlop to Vice Admiral Sir A. Milne "Challenger", at Vera Cruz, March 2, 1862 Sir, I have received by the mail which reached this yesterday the duplicates of your letters from the Secretary of the Admiralty, of the 21st and 24th January and the 1st February, with their several inclosures, in which, first, I am informed of the intention of the French Government to send out reinforcements of from 3,000 to 4,000 men under the command of General le Comte de Lorencey; secondly, that the French troops employed in the Mexican expedition are directed to march up the country within four-and twenty hours after disembarking, and that I am to be instructed that the British Marines are not to go beyond Vera Cruz; and, thirdly, respecting the reported intention of a large body of Mexicans to invite the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian to place himself on the throne of Mexico, and Earl Russell's instructions to Sir Charles Wyke on this reported movement, and that he should make no objections to the withdrawal of the Marines when the unhealthy season shall arrive. With reference to the Marines, I have had the honour of laying before you, in my letter of the 26th February, the circumstances which have led to the position in which I am at present placed, and I trust both you and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will consider that the attitude in which the force under my command stands is one of sufficient dignity, and that our Allies cannot accuse us of seceding until it was evident a peaceful march into the interior was secured for them. I has long been evident to both Sir Charles Wyke and myself that our Marines could not remain in Vera Cruz even so long as was anticipated by Her Majesty's Government, owing to the unusually unhealthy nature of the season, probably produced by the almost entire absence of the violent northern gales which blow at intervals between the months of October and April in the ordinary seasons; this consideration, along with others, induced us, in common with our colleagues, to feel much anxiety that we should be in a position as soon as possible to move the forces (amicably if possible) to a more healthy climate. We consequently joined our colleagues in the various documents addressed to the Mexican Government, copies of which are annexed to my letter of the 24th ultimo. At one period of the negotiations war seemed inevitable. Of course that was not the moment to shrink from the responsibility we had incurred, and it then became a point of honour with me (as upon me devolved the sole conduct of the military part of the British expedition) to provide immediately the means of transport for my men so as to enable them, if necessary, to take the field with credit to themselves and with honour to their country. Since writing my letter relative to the steps taken to equip the force, the remainder of the transport has arrived by the packet, and the brigade of Marines are now ready and able, if required, to march from one end of Mexico to the other, and I trust I am not expressing expressing myself improperly when I state that I feel proud that such should be the case, and that it is manifest to our allies; for, after the steps taken by the Commissioners collectively; had there been opposition on the part of the Mexicans to the advance into the interior of the country, I must have gone along with the allies until we had conquered all resistance. The turn events have taken leaves the road open to the French and Spaniards to advance without danger, and in obedience to my orders I remain at Vera Cruz. I have the honour to annex hereto a statistical Report of the sick from the time of our landing, and copy of a letter from the medical officer in charge of the brigade, from which you will see that I am forced to adopt the second alternative mentioned in paragraph 8 of my letter of the 24th ultimo, viz., a retreat to the shipping. I shall embark all but two companies, which, with the assistance of the Marines of the squadron, will be quite sufficient for our portion of the allied garrison of Vera Cruz and San Juan d'Ulloa, and by keeping them but a short time continuously on shore, landing other men to relieve them as required, I hope they will escape from much sickness until the season is further advanced, or until I receive further instructions. As soon as the other companies are embarked, I shall send them to Bermuda, as it would be most perilous to the health of the squadron to keep them crowded together at Sacrificios. I shall send as many as she can safely stow at this season in the "Sanspareil", and the rest, probably, in the "Donegal" On embarkation, the acting Staff appointments of which I had the honour to inform you in my letter of the 30th January last, will be cancelled. [ Did not see this letter amongst the text. T.D.H.] (Signed) HUGH DUNLOP Inclosure No.2 Mr. Elliot to Commodore Dunlop Royal Marine Brigade, Vera Cruz, March 3, 1862. Sir, I have the honour to inclose herewith a Return of the number daily sick since the Royal Marine Brigade landed at Vera Cruz on the 16th January, 1862. I also beg to submit for your information the following remarks relative to the health of the troops and sanitary conditions of Vera Cruz:- On first landing, the troops suffered from diarrhoea and slight febrile attacks. No deaths have taken place until the 9th February, when the disease assumed a dysenteric character, with typhoid complications; and up to this date nine deaths have taken place in the Brigade Hospital, and several more are now seriously ill. I sent on board Her Majesty's ship "Sanspareil", on the 14th, 15th , and 19th of February, 117 sick, who were suffering either from bowel disease, fever, or ulcer; and up to this date five deaths have taken place on board, but a great number are now convalescent. I have 103 on the sick list to-day, either suffering from dysentery or fever, and a few from rheumatism or ulcers. Of that number, I expect to lose six or seven by deaths during the next few days. The total deaths up to this, including the men sent to the "Sanspareil", is fourteen. I consider the cause of such a large sick-list and mortality is, in a great measure, to be attributed to the very bad sanitary arrangements of this town, every street having an open sewer, which, being exposed to a high range of temperature, are very offensive, and the atmosphere becomes so contaminated by the gaseous exhalations from these sewers that nothing can be more detrimental to the health of our troops, or more likely to produce disease. As far as the barracks were concerned, I consider, with the exception of their being rather overcrowded at first landing, nothing could be kept cleaner, or greater attention paid to sanitary regulations. I consider the water which the troops have been using in the barracks perfectly good, it being tank-water collected during the rainy season; and the water used in hospital was taken from a cistern, which is said to be conveyed from a considerable distance in the country. I have analysed this water, and could not detect anything injurious. All well-water in this town is brackish, and full of animalculae and vegetable matter. It has never been used by our men for any purpose than washing. In conclusion, I consider the sanitary arrangements of Vera Cruz so defective, which no doubt will be increased by the approaching hot season, that unless the troops are removed to a more healthy locality a very large mortality must evidently ensue; as if, according to the Municipal Register of Vera Cruz, the inhabitants lose 12 per cent, when the town is kept clean, we must be prepared for a much greater mortality than people who are acclimated. (Signed) JOHN ELLIOT, Surgeon, Marine Battalion. Inclosure No.3 Return showing the Number Daily Sick, since the Royal Marine Brigade landed on the 16th January, 1862 Date No. Daily Remarks Date No. Daily Remarks Jan. 17 17 - Feb. 10 109 - Jan. 18 22 - Feb. 11 114 - Jan. 19 30 - Feb. 12 122 - Jan. 20 40 - Feb. 13 128 - Jan. 21 48 - Feb. 14 89 40 to "Sanspareil" Jan. 22 54 2 invalided Feb. 15 78 40 to "Sanspareil" Jan. 23 58 1 died in hospital - - - Jan. 24 62 - Feb. 16 87 - Jan. 25 57 - Feb. 17 89 6 invalided, 1 died in hospital. Jan. 26 58 - - - - Jan. 27 68 - Feb. 18 82 - Jan. 28 71 - Feb. 19 57 37 to "Sanspareil" Jan. 29 67 2 invalided from "Sanspareil Feb. 20 62 - Jan. 30 87 - Feb. 21 69 - Jan. 31 77 - Feb. 22 67 - Feb. 1 79 - Feb. 23 72 3 died in hospital. Feb. 2 71 - Feb. 24 74 - Feb. 3 70 - Feb. 25 81 - Feb. 4 60 - Feb. 26 92 - Feb. 5 60 - Feb. 27 92 - Feb. 6 54 - Feb. 28 86 1 died. Feb. 7 76 - March 1 90 - Feb. 8 92 - Mar. 2 95 1 died in hospital Feb. 9 94 1 death in hospital Mar. 3 103 Ditto (Signed) JOHN ELLIOTT, Surgeon, Marine Brigade. Vera Cruz, March 4, 1862. Back to Table of Contents: Booklet No. 8, Mexico 1861-67 Back to El Dorado List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by The South and Central Military Historians Society This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com