THE FRENCH IN MEXICO.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 8, 25 November 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE FRENCH IN MEXICO.

A letter from Vera Cruz says tliat the campaign in Mexico was carried on with great cruelty during its latter period. At first the "French gave quarter lo the wounrledj but there bavins; been frequent cases in which these, when their merciful conquerors had passed on, had treacherously wounded them from behind, the Zouaves and other troops bad for some months adopted the practice of killing all whom they found stiil breathing on the battlefield. The Mexican cavalry is described, as invariably avoiding band-to-hand conflicts, contenting itself with firing its carbines at 200 pace 3, and flying when the French drew near. A horrible and scarcely creditable tale is told of what occurred at the Penitentiary, at which building some of the hardest fighting of the campaign took place. In the midst of the combat, 800 of the besieged wished to capitulate. Their comrades, furious at what they considered treacherj', handcuffed them, loaded them with chains, and shut them up in one of the vast halls of the edifice, spread it wiih straw, among which they strewed powder, and fastenod ; it is said, grenades lo their hands. Then, when the French assaulted and took the place, the Mexicans, before escaping, set „ fire to the straw. A hideous spectacle presented itself to the victors, when, a few minutes later, they forced their way into the hall. Many of the unhappy wretches were literally blown to fragments by the explosion of the shells that had been so barharously scattered among them.