Miramón, Miguel (1832–1867)

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Miramón, Miguel (1832–1867)

Miguel Miramón (b. 1832; d. 19 June 1867), Mexican Conservative general and president, executed with Maximilian. Born in Mexico City, Miramón defended Chapultepec as a cadet in 1847. As lieutenant colonel, he fought with Santa Anna in 1854–1855 against the revolution of Ayutla. Miramán played a major part in Puebla's resistance to the Comonfort administration in 1856, for which he was imprisoned in April 1857. After escaping, he became the principal Conservative general in the Civil War of the Reform (1858–1861). Victorious at Salamanca (10 March 1858), Barrancas de Atenquique (2 July 1858), Ahualulco (29 September 1858), and Estancia de las Vacas (12 November 1859), he failed twice to take the Liberal seat of government, Veracruz, in the spring of 1859 and again in February—March 1860.

He was president within the Conservative zone from 15 April 1860 until his defeat at Calpulalpán on 22 December. Following the Liberal victory, he went into exile in Europe, but declined to participate in the French Intervention. After returning to Mexico in July 1863, his relations with Marshal François Bazaine deteriorated, since the French commanders found the presence of a former Conservative leader an embarrassment. This initial trust in Maximilian evaporated after he was consigned to Berlin in November 1864 to study artillery tactics. Miramón's absence (along with that of Leonardo Márquez) delayed the formation of a Mexican imperialist army.

Against his wife's pleading, he returned to Mexico late in 1866, believing he could save the empire after the evacuation of French forces. A swift thrust at Zacatecas late in January 1867 nearly led to the capture of Juárez and his ministers, but Mariano Escobedo trapped Maximilian, Miramón, and Tomás Mejía in Querétaro, where in June 1867 they were captured, summarily tried, and executed. The plea of Miramón's wife and children for clemency was unheeded by an implacable Juárez.

Still a controversial figure, Miramón combined military skill with political miscalculation. Although a Conservative, he was neither specifically monarchist nor imperialist and he remains a legendary figure for Conservatives.