No. 294.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, February 29, 1872. (Received March 15.)
Sir: The military situation in Mexico has assumed an aspect more favorable for the government. The insurgents, after their victories at Zacatecas and Aguas Calientes, concentrated their forces at Salinas, near San Luis Potosi, about the middle of this month, with the evident intention of attacking that city before it could be relieved by General Rocha. The latter, however, succeeded in reaching San Felipe, a strategetical point between San Luis and Zacatecas, on the 18th instant, and active operations commenced on the 22d, when he marched to meet the insurgents at Ojueios.
The rebel generals Guerra, Martinez, and Treviño did not await the attack, but made a rapid movement southward, closely followed by Rocha, and occupied Lagos, in Jalisco, on the 24th. General Sanchez Ochoa, who commanded at Lagos, fell back to the city of Leon. Rocha arrived at Lagos on the 25th, when the insurgents retired southward, but soon changed direction, and are now in full retreat upon Aguas Calientes and Zacatecas. General Rocha is to-day expected to arrive at Aguas Calientes, and will probably recover Zacatecas without a battle. By decree of yesterday, that State was placed under martial law.
The most contradictory reports prevail concerning the whereabouts of General Porfirio Diaz.
One rumor asserts that he died at Salinas, (San Luis Potosi;) another that he is sick in the sierra of Puebla; another that he is concealed in this city; and still another that he embarked incognito for Havana a month since, on the English steamer.
News has just been received of government successes in Sinaloa and Jalisco. The second division, under command of General Alatorre, is on its way from Oaxaca to this city, and will undoubtedly re-enforce Rocha in the north. General Negrete and other rebel chiefs have committed great ravages in TIaxcala, which State has been placed under martial law, and the insurgents Chavarria and Cosio Pontones continue their depredations in this valley almost in sight of Mexico.
The northern insurgents seem to be much divided among themselves by the conflicting pretensions of Guerra, Martinez, and Treviño to the chief command. It now seems certain that they will be driven back to the frontier States, but may prolong the war for several months longer.
I am, &c.,