Beyond the Headlines

Cinco de Mayo

Victory at Puebla

Cinco de Mayo, literally "Fifth of May,” is a holiday observed by many in the U.S. as a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture much in the same way as St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest recognize Irish and German cultural elements. Not many are familiar with the historical origin of the holiday, which celebrates the victory of Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin against the French army at the Battle of Puebla. Read on to learn more about this battle and the resulting celebration.

Battle of Puebla

In 1861, Emperor Napoleon III of France, along with the governments of Britain and Spain, sent troops to the Mexican Republic with the intent to collect debts owed by the Mexican government. The Mexican Republic’s President Benito Juarez refused payment of these debts, which stimulated the three invading armies to attack and take control of the customs house in the city of Veracruz. Britain and Spain soon formed a truce with Juarez and had withdrawn by April of 1862, but Napoleon III used the refusal to pay as a reason to invade Mexico with the intent of ousting the Republic and imposing a French-backed monarchy.

The United States had issued the Monroe Doctrine on December 2, 1823, which proclaimed that European powers were not to colonize or interfere with new independent nations in the Americas. However, by 1862 the U.S. was in the middle of the American Civil War and thus unable to help Mexico defend itself. Emperor Napoleon III knew that the time was right for invasion.

The Janesville Daily Gazette reported on the French invasion on May 10, 1862:

“The most recent intelligence from Mexico confirms the rupture between the allied invaders, and the determination of France to pursue her purpose of subjugation alone. President Juarez, meanwhile, has ordered that all citizens between the ages of 20 and 60, to make such resistance as he can. It is evident that France is bent upon conquering Mexico and bringing it under French rule, or is engaged in a plot to place a King upon the throne there, who will be a mere puppet in the hands of the Emperor. The unfortunate condition of our sister republic would claim the immediate attention of our government, if we were not engrossed with our own difficulties. The ruthless conduct of the French government in this matter may well alarm all nations, for who is safe when the principles of the robber are adopted in an open and shameless manner as in this case. The French have no wrongs to redress in Mexico, and they are as likely to attack us [the U.S.] without cause as Mexico, if they think it good policy. Such a brigand among the nations should be put down.”

French troops had been gathering in Mexico since the beginning of 1862, and had neared the city of Puebla de los Angeles in April. The French Army was led by General Charles de Lorencez, who had ordered the French troops to withdraw to the coast before resuming attacks. Due to a misunderstanding, Lorencez came to believe that the Mexican army was preparing an assault. He therefore marched on the fortified Mexican troops. Mexican Commander General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin occupied two forts north of Puebla and connected the forts with a trench. Zaragoza executed a perfectly planned defense of the forts, and defeated Lorencez’ army soundly.

“Full and recent advices have been received here from Mexico, and they are of such a nature as to lead to the belief that the French forces have [...] been overwhelmed and destroyed,” reported The New York Times on May 24, 1862.

The Janesville Daily Gazette also reported on June 2nd:

“The following is a dispatch announcing the news to President Juarez: We have triumphed, and the French have commenced retreating since. We offered them battle this morning, forming our troops in front of their camp. They have refused to accept our challenge and have turned back from their foolish hardihood and unpardonable credulity.”

Lorencez attacked with more than 6,000 soldiers as well as 12 artillery guns and six howitzers. Zaragoza defended with 4,500 soldiers, mostly veterans of an earlier war, and with 18 artillery guns. Lorencez lost 462 men, with more than 300 wounded, which Zaragoza triumphed with only 83 dead and 131 wounded. Lorencez retreated.

Unfortunately, the victory proved short-lived. When news of the defeat reached Emperor Napoleon III, he sent 29,000 additional troops to Mexico. They overran the country by 1863, and the French installed prince Maximilian to reign in Mexico.

The Celebration

“It will take 87,000 people, 1.5 tons of tortilla chips, 350 kegs of beer and two tons of hot-link sausages to throw the party at Traders Village flea market in Grand Prarie, Texas,” reported the New Mexican on May 5, 1989. “This isn’t just any party, mind you. It’s Cinco de Mayo – the Fifth of May.”

Cinco de Mayo has long been celebrated in the U.S., though, counterintuitively, it is only a local holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. The Seguin Gazette Enterprise, on May 4, 1986, gives insight as to why this is the case:

“El Cinco de Mayo has strong meaning for the Mexican people of the United States as well as for Texans. It is a time for celebration, a time to remember freedom and determination, and a time to honor the man who led his troops to victory against 6,000 men of Napoleon III’s army at Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862. A native Texan, Ignacio Zaragoza de Seguin is one of Mexico’s greatest heroes.”

Cinco de Mayo remains a popular holiday, celebrated by Americans of Mexican heritage and non-Mexican heritage alike. Enjoy this Cinco de Mayo!

Stephen Carr
NewspaperARCHIVE.com