A Ballad of Love and Glory(101)
38
September 1847
Mexico City
The next morning, Ximena went to the private residence of se?ora Rubio in the village of Tacubaya, almost nine kilometers from the capital and near the Yanqui headquarters. Padre Sebastián had arranged for her to meet there with se?ora Rubio and four other ladies from the aristocracy who had created and signed a petition in defense of Riley and his men. Together they were determined to deliver the petition to Scott.
When Ximena and her five veiled companions were finally escorted to the general’s headquarters, se?ora Rubio asked Ximena to address the general since she was John’s wife and spoke English. Ximena was surprised and nervous, but she tried not to show it. These high society women were dressed in velvets and silks, delicate lace mantillas fastened together with diamond brooches, their necks and ears adorned with exquisite pearls. In truth, in her simple muslin dress, Ximena looked more like their maid than the wife of the leader of the Saint Patrick’s Battalion, but she wouldn’t let that intimidate her. These women were willing to use their prestige and fortunes to help her husband and his men.
“Come in, come in,” General Scott said to the group. He was a giant, gray-haired man, large in height and weight, his uniform stretched tightly across his girth. Ximena felt dwarfed by him. Extra chairs were brought into his office for the six of them, and confined in the small space with the imposing Yanqui general, Ximena was careful not to step on the ladies’ fine dresses. When Scott requested an interpreter, she spoke up.
“There will be no need.”
Scott seemed taken aback, not only by her English but that it was she, and not one of the elegant ladies, who spoke. Directing his gaze at Ximena, he asked, “How can I help you, ladies?”
“We are here to ask his Excellency to allow the members of the Saint Patrick’s Battalion to be released on parole,” Ximena said, speaking slowly and carefully. She handed him the petition that had been signed by more than one hundred Mexican citizens of great respectability.
Holding the paper in his large hands, Scott perused the petition, his deeply furrowed brows and sagging jowls becoming more crinkled with displeasure. Se?ora Rubio leaned over and whispered to her, “Dígale que le damos nuestra palabra de honor, que nosotras cuidaremos de los Colorados.”
“Se?ora Rubio would like to assure his Excellency that you have our word of honor that we will watch over them during their parole.”
“Forgive me, Mrs….”
“Ximena Benitez y Catalán, wife of John Riley.”
“Ah, I see. I see. Look, Mrs. Riley, I can’t imagine what hardships you must be going through having your husband in prison, facing such a terrible fate. But the law is the law. John Riley and the other deserters broke their vows to the United States Army, and now, they must face the consequences of their actions.”
“You broke your vows first, sir.”
“I beg your pardon, my lady?”
“If the Yanqui officers hadn’t mistreated and abused the foreign soldiers in your ranks, they would have faithfully kept their vows.”
“There is truth in what you say—some of our officers and generals have exhibited unprofessional conduct toward our foreign soldiers. But it is also true that some of these men were malcontents who abandoned our ranks in search of a better deal. Regardless of the reason for their betrayal, I must abide by military law, and duty obliges me to deny your request.” Scott didn’t look at her when he said, “Desertion is punishable by death.”
“Tenga piedad,” se?ora Rubio and the other ladies said. “?Nuestros héroes irlandeses no se merecen la muerte!”
Scott looked at Ximena and waited for her translation. She didn’t want to beg. She wanted to yell at him and make him see reason, demand that his government own up to its responsibility in the desertions of Riley and his men. But controlling herself, she said, “My companions beg for your mercy. Our Irish heroes do not deserve to die.”
“Heroes? They are not heroes! At worst they are traitors without honor, at best they are cowardly drunks!”
“Or perhaps they are victims, yes?” Ximena said. “Victims of your country’s contempt and forced to fight in an unjust war.” Then she added, “Call them what you wish, but we ask the general to please consider a prisoner exchange. Now that the truce between the countries—”
“What truce? There is no more truce. You can thank your general-in-chief for that!” Scott furiously pounded on his desk, his face turning as red as that of an old turkey vulture. “He didn’t keep the good faith that was due. Therefore, as of today, I have terminated the armistice and shall be renewing hostilities.”
“?Dios mío!” se?ora Rubio said, “?pero por qué nos grita así este Yanqui?”
Ximena translated Scott’s words, and the ladies gasped. Of course, it was no secret that Santa Anna had ordered work to be made on the fortifications in the city and its surroundings, that he had sent church bells to the foundry to be turned into new cannons to replace the ones seized by the enemy, and that he had tried to replenish his forces, all in direct violation of the armistice.
Seeing the women’s frightened expressions, Scott lowered his voice. “My apologies, Mrs. Riley. General Santa Anna has exhibited dishonorable conduct by continuing to strengthen the city’s military defenses, in gross violation of the terms he and I had agreed upon. Our armies will soon face each other in battle again, and now more than ever, I will need the loyalty of all my troops. Do you understand? If I release the Saint Patrick’s Battalion, it will only encourage more desertions, especially of the foreign soldiers in our ranks, of which there are far too many. I cannot afford the continued spread of this contagion that has infected my troops for so long. And now, I must bid good day.”