Miguel Miramón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miguel Miramón y Tarelo
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Substitute 29th President of Mexico by the Plan of Tacubaya |
|
| In office 2 February 1859 – 13 August 1860 |
|
| Preceded by | José Mariano Salas |
| Succeeded by | José Ignacio Pavón |
| Provisional President of Mexico by the Plan of Tacubaya |
|
| In office 15 August 1860 – 24 December 1860 |
|
| Preceded by | José Ignacio Pavón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 September 1831 Mexico DF |
| Died | 19 June 1867 (aged 35) Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro Arteaga |
| Cause of death | Execution (by firing squad) |
| Resting place | Panteón de San Fernando Mexico city later transferred to Puebla Cathedral |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Concepción Lombardo |
| Alma mater | Heroic Military Academy |
Miguel Gregorio de la Luz Atenógenes Miramón y Tarelo, known as Miguel Miramón, (born September 29, 1831 – died June 19, 1867) was a Mexican general. He became president of Mexico at just 27 years old. This happened during a time of great conflict called the Reform War, from February 1859 to December 1860. He was the first Mexican president born after Mexico became independent.
Miramón started as a cadet in military school. He fought in the Mexican–American War in 1847. After a liberal government came to power in 1855, Miramón joined conservative groups. These groups tried to overthrow the new government. Their efforts led to the wider Reform War, which started in 1859.
During the first year of the war, Miramón led the conservatives to many victories. He was even called "Young Maccabee" by the newspapers. Later, a group of conservatives chose him as president. Miramón led the conservatives for the rest of the war. He tried twice to capture Veracruz, where the liberal president, Benito Juárez, was based.
His second attempt to capture Veracruz failed when the United States Navy stopped his ships. After this, the liberals started winning more battles. The war ended in 1860. Miramón then left Mexico and went to Europe.
He returned to Mexico in 1862 during the Second French intervention in Mexico. He offered his help to the Second Mexican Empire, led by Emperor Maximilian. Maximilian sent Miramón to Prussia to study military tactics. Miramón later returned to support Maximilian. He fought for the Empire until it fell in May 1867. The Mexican government then judged Miramón, Maximilian, and Tomas Mejía. They were sentenced to death and shot on June 19, 1867.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
Miramón was born in Mexico City on September 29, 1831. He came from a very traditional family with some French heritage. His grandfather was from France. His parents were Colonel Bernardo de Miramón and Carmen Tarelo. He was one of twelve children.
He joined the military college on February 10, 1846. The Mexican–American War started a few months later. When American soldiers entered Mexico City, Miramón joined the fighting. In September 1847, he fought in the Battle of Molino del Rey and the Battle of Chapultepec. He was wounded and captured during the Battle of Chapultepec. He was released in June 1848 after the war ended.
In military school, he quickly moved up the ranks. He went from corporal to lieutenant of artillery. By July 1855, he was a lieutenant colonel.
Joining the Conservative Cause
During a period known as La Reforma, Miramón joined several conservative revolts. These revolts happened after the liberal Plan of Ayutla succeeded in 1855. In 1856, he fought at Zacapoaxtla and Puebla. He defended Puebla for 43 days with only a thousand soldiers against an army of six thousand.
When Puebla fell, Miramón refused to give up. He escaped with 150 men and captured the city of Toluca in January 1857. He then headed to Temascaltepec, where he was wounded and defeated. He was imprisoned but escaped in September. Soon after, he joined other conservative forces in the South.
He helped capture Cuernavaca. In January 1858, he arrived in Mexico City. There, the Plan of Tacubaya, led by Félix Zuloaga, had overthrown the liberal government. This event started the Reform War.
Leading the Reform War
Early Victories and Leadership
Miramón played a key role in the early part of the Reform War. He led many conservative victories in 1858. On March 10, 1858, he commanded forces at the Battle of Salamanca. This victory opened up the country's interior to the conservatives.
On July 24, Miramón and Tomas Mejía captured Guanajuato. They also captured San Luis Potosí on September 12. On September 29, they defeated the liberal commander Santiago Vidaurri at the Battle of Ahualulco. By October, the conservatives were very strong.
In December 1858, some moderate conservatives wanted to make peace with the liberals. They started a revolt against Zuloaga. Miramón was offered command of this new plan, but he refused. However, a new provisional president, Manuel Robles Pezuela, took power.
A group of representatives then met to elect a president. Miramón won with 50 votes. Zuloaga officially handed over the presidency to Miramón on January 31, 1859.
Miramón's Presidency and Challenges
As president, Miramón's main goal was to capture Veracruz. This city was the liberal capital. He left Mexico City on February 16, leading his troops himself. Meanwhile, the liberals captured Aguascalientes and Guanajuato.
Miramón's forces tried to siege Veracruz. However, they faced a difficult climate and gave up the siege by March 29. In April, the United States recognized the liberal government. On July 12, the liberal government took over church property. This helped them get new money for the war.
Miramón met liberal forces in November. They tried to negotiate a peace, but talks failed. Hostilities resumed, and Miramón defeated Degollado at the Battle of Las Vacas.
In December 1859, the liberal government signed the Mclane Ocampo Treaty with the U.S. This treaty caused problems for both sides. However, the U.S. Senate did not approve it, so it never took effect.
Miramón planned another siege of Veracruz. He left the capital on February 8, hoping to meet a small naval fleet. But the United States Navy stopped the fleet. On March 6, the U.S. Navy captured Miramón's ships and their supplies. This prevented the conservatives from attacking Veracruz by sea.
Miramón gave up the siege of Veracruz on March 20. He returned to the capital on April 7. The conservatives were also losing battles in other parts of the country.
In May, a liberal general named Uraga tried to attack Guadalajara. This was a mistake because Miramón's troops were behind him. The attack failed, and Uraga was captured.
However, Miramón was defeated on August 10 in Sialo. His commander, Tomas Mejía, was captured. Miramón retreated to Mexico City. He resigned as president, but the conservative group elected him president again.
By the end of August, the liberals were preparing for a final battle. The capital was cut off. Guadalajara, held by conservatives, was surrounded by 17,000 liberal troops. The conservative commander surrendered without a fight.
On November 3, Miramón held a meeting with important citizens. They decided to fight until the end. The conservatives were running out of money and soldiers. Still, Miramón won a victory on December 9, capturing liberal forces in Toluca.
But General Gonzalez Ortega arrived with more liberal troops. The final battle took place on December 22, at San Miguel Calpulalpan. The conservatives had 8,000 troops, while the liberals had 16,000. Miramón lost and retreated to the capital.
The conservative government then fled the city. Miramón tried to reach the coast. The victorious liberals entered Mexico City on January 1, 1861. President Juárez entered the capital on January 11.
Serving the Second Mexican Empire
On his way to the coast, Miramón was nearly captured but managed to escape. He hid in Jalapa and then left for Europe. In Europe, he was honored at the Spanish court.
He returned to Mexico in 1862 during a time when French, Spanish, and English forces were in the country. These forces were initially there to collect debts. Miramón was not welcomed by them. The English representative even had him arrested and sent to Cuba.
However, the alliance broke apart when France decided to overthrow the Mexican government. France wanted to create a new empire in Mexico. The French entered Mexico City on June 10, 1863. A group of Mexicans then chose Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg to be the new Emperor of Mexico.
Miramón returned to Mexico on July 28, 1863, and offered his help to the new government. Maximilian accepted the throne in April 1864. Surprisingly, Maximilian was a liberal, not a conservative. To avoid problems with conservatives, he sent his conservative generals, including Miramón, out of the country. Miramón was sent to Berlin to study the Prussian Army.
Miramón only returned to Mexico on November 9, 1866. By then, the Empire was struggling. Miramón decided to stay loyal to Maximilian and offered to fight for him. He advised Maximilian not to give up his throne.
Maximilian decided to stay and fight. The country was divided into military districts. Miramón took command of the western district. However, many parts of the country were already controlled by the Republicans. The Empire also lacked money and resources.
On January 27, 1867, Miramón captured Aguascalientes. He almost captured President Juárez. Miramón then retreated to join other forces. However, a Republican general intercepted him on February 1, leading to a defeat. Miramón escaped to Querétaro.
The Siege of Querétaro
Maximilian joined the army in Querétaro on February 19. Miramón and other generals welcomed him. The army had about 9,000 men and 39 cannons. Miramón was put in charge of the infantry. Maximilian, Miramón, Márquez, Mejía, and Méndez became known as "the five magic M's" of the Empire.
The generals first agreed to fight the Republicans right away. But this plan was changed. The liberals began to surround Querétaro. Márquez suggested retreating to Mexico City for more forces, but this was not practical.
Miramón planned a counterattack on March 17. But a false alarm stopped the attack. Miramón then supported a plan to break through the enemy lines. Márquez was sent to Mexico City to get reinforcements. Miramón created a distraction on March 22, capturing supplies. Márquez was able to leave that night. Miramón then became the main general in Querétaro.
After the Imperialists pushed back another Republican attack, Miramón honored the Emperor for his bravery. He took a medal and decorated Maximilian himself.
On April 1, Miramón led another counterattack. But without enough reinforcements, it did not have a big impact.
As no news came from Márquez, a mission was sent to Mexico City. Miramón urged Maximilian to leave, but the Emperor chose to stay. The mission failed, and officers began to suggest surrender.
The Imperialists then planned to fight their way out of Querétaro. Miramón led an attack on Cimatario Hill on April 27 with 2,000 men. They pushed back the Republicans and took 500 prisoners. But they wasted time planning their next move, and Republican reserves arrived, leading to a defeat.
The Imperialists now wanted to break through enemy lines and reach the coast. This move was planned for May 15.
However, before these plans could happen, they were betrayed by Colonel Miguel López. On the night of May 14, he opened the gates of Querétaro to the Republican forces. He did this for money.
Miramón was surprised by enemy troops. He fought back but was shot in the face. Friendly forces carried him to a doctor's house. The doctor then turned Miramón over to the Republicans.
See also
In Spanish: Miguel Miramón para niños
