Porfirio Diaz to Alejandro Garcia , Tlacotalpam, October 11, 1866

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Esteemed Comrade: Under date of the 4th instant I wrote you, giving you an account of the splended victory obtained by the force under my command ever the expedition coming to attack me at Miahuatlan, under the orders of Oronoz. but knowing that my letter was miscarried, I direct you this, giving you an extract of said letter, in which you will see in brief, with all its details.

About three o’clock of the afternoon of the 3d instant the enemy appeared, advancing rapidly upon this place. I decided to go out immediately and meet him, and leaving General Ramos with the cavalry to detain him a few moments, I placed the infantry quickly on some rising ground that appeared to me advantageous, and soon the enemy opened fire on us. The column of the enemy was composed of 1.200 men, of three arms, of which three hundred were cavalry, and two mountain howziters. The sharp fire of the enemy was answered with spirit by our advance sharpshooters, and near sunset, noting that the enemy did not make a general attack, and finding myself nearly without munitions, I concluded to attack him, for which purpose I organized my columns and descended from my positions upon the enemy’s lines. On crossing the river that separated our positions, the enemy’s camp fell into disorder, and on charging them his battalions commenced to run, (having formed in some few groups, making a slight resistance,) followed by our cavalry. They were fast falling into our power, being killed and wounded on the field of battle. All the arms, two pieces of artillery, munitions, say fifty mule loads, and various other effects of war; also, more than four hundred prisoners of war. On the field about eighty killed. Of the French not one escaped. The greater part were killed, and among them their commander, Testard.

The moral effect is greater than the positive triumph. As a consequence, my brother, who was near the capital, (Oaxaca,) occupied it immediately with some force from the hills, and the enemy, filled with panic, made but feeble resistance, shutting themselves in their fortifications of the Cerro, Santa Domingo, and Carmen. After securing the field of battle and reorganizing my forces, that were considerably increased, I marched on the city to direct the siege. Figueroa has to come here with his forces, and I expect momentarily Lopez Orosco, with troops from Costa Chica.

The siege is well organized, and the enemy know well that they cannot receive assistance. I have my headquarters at this point, which is very convenient for the operations.