Ramon Corona to Citizen, March 21, 1866

Republican Army–United brigades of Sinaloa and Jalisco–General-in-Chief.

On the 18th instant the enemy, to the number of four hundred French and six hundred traitors made their appearance. Commander Miramontes drove them back from Urias to Castillo. Commander Pintado marched out with a squad of the liberty guides to reconnoitre and protect Miramontes. He met the enemy at Quemado, a vanguard of traitors and African hunters, and drove him back to Castillo, killing six, picking up two muskets, two lances, and a sword; we losing one second sergeant killed, and one first slightly wounded. The enemy remained at Castillo that night, and Commander Pintado continued his reconnoissance in front.

On the 19th the enemy set out for Presidio, and I started towards Quemado, by Mariel, with the first and second sections of the Ligera Mixta, to flank him. We reached the main road by noon, and found the enemy had passed. Lieutenant Colonel Parra, with a part of Ramirez’s corps, brought up the rear, together with the second brigade and the Guias de Jalisco. Before reaching the river we learned that the enemy had encamped on its banks. I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Parra to take a circuit to the river, and General Gutierrez to do the same by another route. They both reached the river at two o’clock in the afternoon without accident, and found themselves facing the enemy in Persidio. On our approach a column of French rifles marched down the bank of the river in front of us. I re-enforced Parra with a company of Guias de Jalisco, and ordered him to charge the enemy on the right flank, which he did with so much spirit that the traitors were repulsed with the loss of many killed, and, among them, the famous assassin Mauricio Castañeda. The second brigade, with two mountain howitzers, attacked the centre. The Ramirez brigade fell on the left flank of the enemy, and, after a hard contest, succeeded in driving him to the suburbs, breaking his line of battle. Want of ammunition caused the attacking party some anxiety, until it was supplied by the first brigade. The attack was now renewed with such force the French were forced into the town, where Colonel Tolentino compelled them to capitulate. While negotiations were pending the enemy was re-enforced, and our troops had to retire precipitately, leaving two howitzers in the enemy’s possession. I withdrew to take care of my wounded, and ordered Colonel Parra and Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Tolentino to annoy the enemy, supported by General Gutierrez.

As I have no reports yet, I cannot say how many men we have lost, but I know our loss is considerable. Among our officers, Lieutenant Colonel George Granados, Commander Miguel Peregrina, Captain Geronimo Saavedra, and Lieutenant Tiburcio Serrano were wounded. The enemy’s loss is great, for I have seen many dead French and traitors on the field. Most of the traitors scattered, and twenty-three have come into my lines.

There was a slight skirmish about night. Commander Donato Guerra reports that he attacked the enemy at Palos Prietos, and drove him into the town.

On the morning of the 20th Commander Pintado attacked the enemy near Aguacaliente, and drove him from his trenches, with the loss of only six killed. Firing of artillery and musketry was continued during the day. At night the traitors and French tried to water some horses at the river, but we drove them away, killing three of them.

You will inform the minister of war that I will give a detailed report as soon as I can get the necessary information.