IN the fall of 1866 the UNION government agreed to provide support to the Mexicans in their battle against fundamentalist terrorists in the south of the country. The immediate need identified by the Mexicans was for medical and veterinary services as the Mexican army was not well provided in these areas. It was decided that the UNION army would set up base on a farm to the eastern side of Mexico City about 1 mile south east of the main railway station and about 1 mile north east of the city centre and the UNION embassy. It was decided the UNION military assistance expedition would be provided by 5th army in Fort Bridger. Commanded by a one star Brigadier general, it would comprise a Medical battalion as the core unit with a veterinary/farrier company attached. Although no combat troops were to be deployed it was thought possible the presence of UNION troops may provoke a negative reaction so a company of field police would accompany the expedition not only to provide security but also to back up the UNION Marshal Service diplomatic protection platoon guarding the embassy. This force had been established at the same time as the embassy was created to provide security in a potentially difficult situation.
By 3rd January 1867 the UNION expeditionary force had arrived in Mexico and set up for operations to commence. Wounded Mexican soldiers would arrive by train from the south and be conveyed from the railway station by UNION ambulances to the medical facilities. Mexican army horses wounded in action would be similarly processed. In addition remounts for the Mexican army would be inspected, trained and shoed by UNION farriers before issue. The presence of UNION forces, even though non combat, provoked a harsh reaction by the terrorists and their supporters resulting in an increase in terrorism during the spring on the southern outskirts of Mexico City.
On 3rd June terrorists launched a major attack in Mexico City. Their primary targets were the presidential palace and government buildings in the city centre. However the UNION embassy also came under sniper fire. In response a platoon of UNION field police as dispatched to the embassy to bolster its defense. This unit also came under sniper fire as it arrived at the embassy during the late morning. By this time UNION forces were on full alert. By mid afternoon a full scale battle had developed in the city centre between terrorists and Mexican police. Mexican army units based to the south of the city however had remained in barracks for reasons unclear at the time. About 3pm an urgent message arrived at the UNION embassy from the presidential palace for help as it was in imminent danger of being overrun and the president either killed or captured. The UNION commanding general immediately prepared a relief force from his limited resources. The force consisted of the remaining two platoons of field police, and a scratch company of quartermaster troops from the medical battalion. Also included were two ambulances and a medical team. The force quickly made its way to the city centre where it came under heavy fire from terrorists. They battled though to the palace although suffering several casualties along the way. They found the Mexican president with a small force of police almost out of ammunition. Loading the president into an ambulance along with both the UNION and Mexican police wounded, the task force and the remaining Mexican police began a withdrawal back towards the UNION base, all the time fighting fierce battles in the streets against numerous terrorists. Once clear of the city centre the intensity of the fighting gradually reduced and the force soon returned to base. The whole camp had been prepared for defense and those not wounded, including the Mexican police, took up positions on the barricades.
Next morning an message came from the embassy that they were under heavy attack and needed assistance. The two field police platoons, now somewhat reduced in number, were dispatched again with two ambulances and a medical team as reinforcements. Although they reached the embassy with only a few casualties it soon became clear the embassy could not be held so the defenders and all embassy staff began to withdraw to the UNION base. The retreat was difficult and many casualties were incurred. Eventually however they gained the safety of the base. Other than some minor sniping the fighting died down as the terrorists ransacked the embassy, presidential palace and government buildings. Around this time it also became clear why the Mexican troops to the south of the city had not intervened as their commanding general proclaimed himself the new president and undertook to negotiate a peace with the terrorists.
On hearing initial news of the fighting the UNION government authorised the commanding general of 5th army to do what ever was needed to restore the situation in Mexico City. He immediately instructed a short brigade of two Infantry battalions and a Heavy Weapons battalion to mobilise. Trains were ordered to move this force to Mexico City urgently. In the meantime conditions in the UNION base were now harsh. An attack was expected anytime, there were many casualties and ammunition stocks were limited, relief was needed soon. Around midday on the 5th June the first UNION relief train arrived at the station in Mexico City, this was followed by many other trains as the UNION army arrived in force. As units detrained and were organised they began to advance towards the city centre. The overwhelming power of the UNION forces soon told and the terrorists were quickly killed, captured or driven out of the city. The Mexican troops now also in the city, were overawed by the strength of the UNION forces and were soon rounded up without a fight and their general captured.
The president was returned to his palace and over the following days the government was reestablished. The embassy was repaired and reopened. The Mexican police who had remained loyal to their president were formed into a new presidential guard and given many rewards. The renegade Mexican general. his senior officers and all the terrorists captured were summarily executed. The Mexican troops and junior officers involved ion the mutiny were pardoned on the basis they had only been following orders and had in fact been told the president had been killed earlier.
It was agreed that the UNION army would maintain a permanent combat presence in Mexico and the temporary base was now reconstructed with full facilities for a whole UNION army brigade sized unit. So began the UNION army's presence in Mexico that has continued ever since.
By 3rd January 1867 the UNION expeditionary force had arrived in Mexico and set up for operations to commence. Wounded Mexican soldiers would arrive by train from the south and be conveyed from the railway station by UNION ambulances to the medical facilities. Mexican army horses wounded in action would be similarly processed. In addition remounts for the Mexican army would be inspected, trained and shoed by UNION farriers before issue. The presence of UNION forces, even though non combat, provoked a harsh reaction by the terrorists and their supporters resulting in an increase in terrorism during the spring on the southern outskirts of Mexico City.
On 3rd June terrorists launched a major attack in Mexico City. Their primary targets were the presidential palace and government buildings in the city centre. However the UNION embassy also came under sniper fire. In response a platoon of UNION field police as dispatched to the embassy to bolster its defense. This unit also came under sniper fire as it arrived at the embassy during the late morning. By this time UNION forces were on full alert. By mid afternoon a full scale battle had developed in the city centre between terrorists and Mexican police. Mexican army units based to the south of the city however had remained in barracks for reasons unclear at the time. About 3pm an urgent message arrived at the UNION embassy from the presidential palace for help as it was in imminent danger of being overrun and the president either killed or captured. The UNION commanding general immediately prepared a relief force from his limited resources. The force consisted of the remaining two platoons of field police, and a scratch company of quartermaster troops from the medical battalion. Also included were two ambulances and a medical team. The force quickly made its way to the city centre where it came under heavy fire from terrorists. They battled though to the palace although suffering several casualties along the way. They found the Mexican president with a small force of police almost out of ammunition. Loading the president into an ambulance along with both the UNION and Mexican police wounded, the task force and the remaining Mexican police began a withdrawal back towards the UNION base, all the time fighting fierce battles in the streets against numerous terrorists. Once clear of the city centre the intensity of the fighting gradually reduced and the force soon returned to base. The whole camp had been prepared for defense and those not wounded, including the Mexican police, took up positions on the barricades.
Next morning an message came from the embassy that they were under heavy attack and needed assistance. The two field police platoons, now somewhat reduced in number, were dispatched again with two ambulances and a medical team as reinforcements. Although they reached the embassy with only a few casualties it soon became clear the embassy could not be held so the defenders and all embassy staff began to withdraw to the UNION base. The retreat was difficult and many casualties were incurred. Eventually however they gained the safety of the base. Other than some minor sniping the fighting died down as the terrorists ransacked the embassy, presidential palace and government buildings. Around this time it also became clear why the Mexican troops to the south of the city had not intervened as their commanding general proclaimed himself the new president and undertook to negotiate a peace with the terrorists.
On hearing initial news of the fighting the UNION government authorised the commanding general of 5th army to do what ever was needed to restore the situation in Mexico City. He immediately instructed a short brigade of two Infantry battalions and a Heavy Weapons battalion to mobilise. Trains were ordered to move this force to Mexico City urgently. In the meantime conditions in the UNION base were now harsh. An attack was expected anytime, there were many casualties and ammunition stocks were limited, relief was needed soon. Around midday on the 5th June the first UNION relief train arrived at the station in Mexico City, this was followed by many other trains as the UNION army arrived in force. As units detrained and were organised they began to advance towards the city centre. The overwhelming power of the UNION forces soon told and the terrorists were quickly killed, captured or driven out of the city. The Mexican troops now also in the city, were overawed by the strength of the UNION forces and were soon rounded up without a fight and their general captured.
The president was returned to his palace and over the following days the government was reestablished. The embassy was repaired and reopened. The Mexican police who had remained loyal to their president were formed into a new presidential guard and given many rewards. The renegade Mexican general. his senior officers and all the terrorists captured were summarily executed. The Mexican troops and junior officers involved ion the mutiny were pardoned on the basis they had only been following orders and had in fact been told the president had been killed earlier.
It was agreed that the UNION army would maintain a permanent combat presence in Mexico and the temporary base was now reconstructed with full facilities for a whole UNION army brigade sized unit. So began the UNION army's presence in Mexico that has continued ever since.
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