[Translation.], April 17, 1866

[Translation.]

GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY COMMANDANCY OF THE STATE OR CHIHUAHUA—WAR SECTION NO. 42.

In a communication of the 13th instant, the civil chief of the canton of Camargo writes to this department as follows:

“The mayor of Atotonilco reported to this office yesterday as follows:

“The French, to the number of two hundred and fifty infantry and fifty cavalry, reached this place at two o’clock day before yesterday, and having taken possession, ordered all the houses to be vacated, with three days’ provisions, as it would be burned next morning, every house except the church and parsonage. At sunset a general pillage began and continued to a late hour of the night. The pillage was resumed next morning, and the houses were burned. The enemy left the town in ruins this morning, and marched towards Rio Florido, to serve that place in the same way. The only kindness to us was sparing our lives; nobody was killed; but they threaten to return in a week and shoot any one who dares to come back.

“I beg you to publish this notice, and put it in the hands of the commander of the line. Communicate it also to the governor.”

I send you the above for the information of the President of the republic.