Route of Cortez. War Mexico Vs USA - 4. Mexican Spy Company.

All the officers knew that Inspector General of the Army, Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock was and educated man. Born in the State of Vermont, Hitchcock was the grandson of a hero of the Revolutionary War. A graduate of the prestigious West Point Military Academy he always had been an intellectual and scholar of philosophy. It is difficult to understand how a man of quiet habits and erudite tastes would have taken the career of arms. Probably he was influenced by the heavy legacy of his famous grandfather. But his predilection for ethical and moral values always collided with the harsh practical decisions of War and the unreserved compliance of military orders. In Texas, Ethan Allen Hitchcock was invited by General Winfield Scott to join the "Southern Army" as Inspector General. In addition, Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock was a reputed men's organizer and capable administrator. For Winfield Scott, Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock had what was needed to commission him a project as important as brand-new in the U.S. military: the creation of an Intelligence Service. After the Battle of Cerro Gordo, the movement of U.S. troops into the country demanded a reliable supply of war material, troops and resources. And, really, there was too much ground between Veracruz and Mexico City. Attacks of Mexican patriots and guerrillas throughout the summer of 1847 became a real threat. On May 27, 1847 U.S. troops occupied without problems, the city of Puebla. The military commander appointed was General William Jenkins Worth who was the most important military man in the battles of Mexico. With his own hands, lowered the Mexican flag at the National Palace and raise the star-spangled banner. Worth was in charge of the administration of justice in the city of Puebla. Therefore, some residents approached the general and asked him to finish the banditry. In Mexico, in the first half of the XIX century, the sheaves and bandits were the "daily bread" in large parts of the country. And particularly over the Veracruz-Mexico road as the main route of communication with the outside world and, obviously, the most traveled of then. Hereby, when neighbors of Puebla approached General Worth looking for help, mentioned the the most hated and feared by them. The most famous "poblano" of the region called "El Chato" ("Snub-nosed") better known as Manuel Dominguez. The background of this man are uncertain. According the version of Dominguez about himself he was a cloth merchant living in Puebla. On his trips was assaulted and robbed of their property by a Mexican officer and swore revenge organizing a criminal gang. He was married and had a son. The truth is that residents of Puebla had another version of Manuel Dominguez. No one remembered the honest draper. Rather, they marked him as a man of long criminal record as a road robber. He was a clever and audacious man with leadership over the criminals of Tlaxcala and Veracruz but his preferred "place of work" was the road Puebla-Mexico. Several times he was caught and prosecuted but Dominguez managed to be back on street with impunity despite being known his criminal reputation. There are no agreement on his physical appearance. For some U.S. officials, Manuel Dominguez didn't look like a heartless criminal. But,of course, he had a snub nose. Was he a murderer? According to Hitchcock, no. and we lack of any evidence to incriminating him. We can not say the same thing about the thugs who accompanied him. General Worth arrested and imprisoned Manuel Dominguez although he estimated the advantages of using this man's abilities and use them to his advantage. Therefore, he offered Dominguez the opportunity to work for them. Dominguez was stunned: The invaders themselves offered him get out of jail. With the blessings of General Winfield Scott, Manuel Dominguez was referred immediately under the orders of Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock. Hitchcock organized a tiny group of five criminals that were primarily used as postmen. Later, joined other twelve bandits and the group assignments were extended to spying and above all, to act as counter-guerrilla and neutralize the patriotic Mexican groups who were interrupting the supply lines of the U.S. Army. Manuel Dominguez was "promoted" to "Colonel" and the Company organized by Ethan Allen Hitchcock was called the...... or "Compañía Mexicana de Espionaje". A conservative figure mention 300 individuals members of the Spy Company. More than two thousand, in its best times, as temporary members. Acting as undercover agents, the importance and effectiveness of the Mexican Spy Company was such that they enjoyed better wages than many American soldiers. The Americans designed for them a uniform intentionally copied from the "Lancers" belonging to the Mexican cavalry with bright green jackets and dark pants. They differed from the true Lancers carrying a red banner in their huge spears and a band of the same color around their hats. Would there be envies? The Mexican Spy Company was criticized by members of the U.S. Army as the "Forty Thieves" and "Ali Baba" Dominguez. Were they defaming? In Tacubaya and Mexico City Dominguez's men commited plunder actions, scandals and violence against anyone who dared to even look at them with disapproval. Attacked, humiliated and murdered with impunity policemen and night watchmen of Mexico City, - their favorite victims - with the tacit complicity of Hitchcock and the U.S. military authorities. On August 20, 1847 the Mexican Spy Company fought side by side with the invaders at the Battle of Churubusco and American bullets used by Mexicans shed blood of other Mexicans. History tells us that, surrendered the convent defended by Mexican General Pedro Maria Anaya, the besieged knew about the participation of Dominguez's contra-guerrilla in the battle. Outraged, and prisoner of the Americans, General Pedro Maria Anaya couldn't hold his rage and faced Manuel Dominguez. At with risk of his life, unmasked Dominguez before his bosses spitting the exact word that defined him: Traitor ! The Spy Company created by Ethan Allen Hitchcock was a resounding success. Recruited informants, postmen, deserters, Mexican officers and according to some reports a butler of the own Antonio López de Santa Anna. Once signed the Peace Treaties of Guadalupe Hidalgo in mid-1848, the Mexican Spy Company was discharged in Veracruz. What happened to these two hundred men? Many of them that operated in anonymity reintegrated into society or continued their criminal activities. Manuel Dominguez and others accompanied by their families followed the Americans to their exile. The days of the "poblano" Manuel Dominguez, called "El Chato" (Snub-nosed) ended in poverty maintaining his family as he could. The colonel - philosopher had a better end. Ethan Allen Hitchcock, the father of American espionage, was counselor of President Abraham Lincoln. This man, a philosopher of peace but efficient war commander, admirer of Spinoza's ethics but head of a group of bandits - spies died at his home in Sparta, Georgia on August 5, 1870. In this war, Manuel Dominguez was the Visible head of an anonymous body of Mexicans, belonging to all social levels, which more or less, followed the steps of the "poblano" bandit. Does History exaggerated to condemn him? Hardly. Manuel Dominguez and his men stained their hands with the blood of other Mexicans using the guns and bullets of the invader. In that moment, the..... crossed the point of no return. The history of the Mexican Spy Company lets us important lessons, even today, are fully valid. Poverty, injustice and inequality always divide and confront a society that suffers them. A divided country is has been and always will be an easy piece to manipulate.