The mere mention of "Cinco de Mayo," one of Mexico's most symbolic battles, "the Battle of Puebla," comes to mind. Meanwhile, identified with the battle, is General Ignacio Zaragoza, who, with a small army, took on the influential forces of France, specifically that of Napoleon III, "during the Second French Intervention."

It was in March 24, 1829, when Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin was born in Goliad, formerly the city of Presidio de la Bahia Espiritu Santo, located in southern Texas, USA. He was Miguel Zaragoza and Maria de Jesus Valdez Martinez Seguin's second son.

When General Zaragoza was five years old, after Texas's independence, his family moved to the Tamaulipas state, particularly in Matamoros, where he started his studies. A decade later, he moved to Nuevo Leon, specifically in Monterrey.

For a couple of years, the general was considering entering the priesthood. However, he eventually left to pursue the example of her father, who was said to be an infantryman back then.

During the intervention of the U.S. in Mexico from 1846 to 1848, then young Zaragoza attempted to register as a cadet. Unfortunately, he was rejected.


Seeing Mexico Lose from a Distance

Despite the rejection, Zaragoza saw even from a distance, "how Mexico lost over 50 percent of its territory in a war which was considered unequal. More so, it was not until the year 1853 when he was able to join the Nuevo Leo army.

Initially, he joined the said army as a sergeant. Later on, he became his regiment's captain. Then, in 1854, Zaragoza decided to enter the Plan de Ayuta, a movement attempting to overthrow Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, a dictator at that time.

Together with 100 other supporters, he took up arms to protect the liberal cause, a cause he committed not to abandon until he died. Six years from an entry in Plan de Ayuta, Zaragoza fought favoring the Constitution of 1857.

The same year, he took part in the "battle of Calpulalpan," encountering the so-called conservative forces. Relatively, in this combat, his troop won easily, giving credit to an act of brave revenge; the liberals concluded the "War of Reform." They presented the grounds "of a new republican system.

During Benito Juarez's term, Zaragoza was acknowledged for his patriotism and high sense of loyalty. Therefore, he served the nation as the "Minister of the Army and Navy," the position he held until 1861.

The most remarkable passage, though, in this military man's life, was when the then-fledgling Republic of Mexico, economically drowning because of all its war expenditures and debts, decided through Juarez, to order a moratorium for the suspension of payments of all foreign debts.


Dissatisfied Nations

Considering the scenario, Britain, France, and Spain, the nations to whom most of Mexico's debt was owed, turned dissatisfied. Relatively they formed an alliance "whose armed forces approached the Veracruz port.

Following further negotiations, England and Spain decided to depart, but France, in a candid longing to develop a "new imperial administration and extend its US colonies," had decided to push through with its incursion into the territory of Mexico.


Cinco de Mayo's Hero: General Ignacio Zaragoza

President Juarez swiftly organized a military unit and placed General Ignacio Zaragoza in command. The army, composed of nearly 10,000 men, was named the Eastern Army, whose mission was to oppose the "French contingent of 6,000 soldiers," which insolent General Charles Ferdinand Latrille commanded.

As ordered, this Cinco de Mayo hero led east and decided to combat the invaders initially having 4,000 troops for contingent in the area called "the Summit of Acultzingo."

Moreover, under Juarez's orders to stop the French at Puebla, Zaragoza prepared a swift plan for the defense of the plaza. The battle started on May 5, when the domineering army arrived at the Puebla City.

Climbing to the Cerro de Guadalupe's top area, the leader decided to build two barracks in the strongholds of Guadalupe and Loreto forts with some 1,200 members to take on the French army, with 3,500 other men.


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