By U.S. Sen. John Cornyn
Saluting Gen. Zaragozas legacy quest for freedom & independence
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Texas-born General Ignacio Segun Zaragoza one of Cinco de Mayos most revered heroes led his Mexican army to defeat French forces sent by Napoleon III in the critical Battle of Puebla on May 5 1862. Zaragoza also fought against Santa Annas armies in the battles of Saltillo & Monterrey.
He became so engrossed in his mission he was not present for his own wedding ceremony.
Rather than postpone his own wedding Zaragoza sent his brother Miguel to stand in his place in his marriage to Rafaela Padilla in Monterrey.
Zaragoza was born on March 24 1829 in a stone house in La Baha del Espritu Santo near present-day Goliad Texas. Today the General Zaragoza State Historic Site managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife includes a replica three-bedroom stone house and commemorates his birthplace two miles south of Goliad.
In 1844 Zaragozas father an infantryman was transferred to Monterrey where Zaragoza entered seminary. However it was not long before he changed course and set out to become a businessman. After delving into the mercantile business for several years Zaragozas true calling finally became clear military service. He joined Nuevo Lens militia as a sergeant and was promoted to captain soon after.
Zaragoza eventually joined the liberal faction of the army led by Benito Juarez who sought to remove Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna from power and establish a democratic government and constitution. This effort called the Plan of Ayutla paved the way for the War of the Reform which took place in the late 1850s.
Zaragoza led troops in Comonforts rebellion in 1867. He fought in the battle of Guadalajara and finally in the battle of Calpulalpan which marked the end of the War of the Reform.
Zaragozas dedication and military skill were quickly recognized and he was promoted to the rank of general.
After the war Mexicos newly-elected President Benito Juarez named Zaragoza as Minister of War and Navy and shortly after made a decision that would give Zaragoza the military challenge of his lifetime.
In July 1861 President Juarez attempted to save the national economy by placing a two-year moratorium on Mexicos debts to Europe. Mexicos lenders were not receptive. By years end a fleet of Spanish ships had made its way to Mexico and forced the surrender of Veracruz. The Spanish were soon joined by French and English forces.
Zaragoza left his post as Minister of War to make a return to the battlefield and lead the Army of the East. Though the English and Spanish soon retreated the French army was considered the most powerful in the world and it set its sights on Mexico City under the charge of Gen. Charles Latrille Laurencez. Before he could reach Mexico City however Laurencez had to conquer Puebla which was about 100 miles east of Mexico City and heavily fortified.
Unbeknownst to Laurencez Zaragoza and his men were entrenched in Puebla and anticipating the attack. On May 5 1862 Gen. Laurencez threw caution to the wind and stormed the Mexican lines at Puebla believing the population was friendly to the French and would assist them in defeating Zaragoza. Despite being outnumbered and poorly equipped Zaragoza and his men pushed back against the French in a day-long battle and succeeded in forcing them to flee to the coast.
Zaragozas victory not only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City but it served to unify the Mexican people and renew their fight for independence.
Sadly only months after his historic victory Zaragoza died at age 33 from typhoid fever. He was honored in a state funeral and only days later President Jurez issued a decree making Cinco de Mayo a national holiday.
While celebrations are held across Texas Zaragozas hometown of Goliad is recognized by the Texas Legislature as the only official venue for Cinco de Mayo. Each year Goliad hosts one of the nations most elaborate Cinco de Mayo celebrations complete with the coronation of Little Miss Cinco de Mayo a
street dance food booths serving nopales and taquitos Mexican arts and crafts and commemorative speeches from dignitaries and historians.
This year Ive joined with Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) to introduce a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing the historical importance of Cinco de Mayo and the reminder it provides that our great nation was founded by individuals from diverse cultures who were willing to fight and die for freedom.
On Cinco de Mayo we join our neighbors in Mexico and Mexican-Americans across Texas in saluting the legacy of General Zaragoza and his quest for freedom and independence.
