In Mexico, General Miramón withdraws his Conservative forces surrounding the Liberal capital of Vera Cruz

Named as the Conservative president of the Republic, General Miguel Miramón led the forces of the military junta striving to defeat the constitutional Liberal government in Mexico. He reached and surrounded the Liberal capital of Vera Cruz on the Mexican coast in March. The Liberals sent their women and children away by ship and prepared to make a determined stand. Such Liberal resolution in Vera Cruz, as well as in nearby Alvarado, resulted in Miramón's withdrawal nine days later. (By John Osborne)