New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-09
Irn yor,ant from Soncrn-A Mexican Arm
peCented by 900 French Troops.

Cor, rdeuc OF The st. Louis publican
GUAyMAs SONORA, Wednesday, May "a, 1900.
The terrible mon0tOny and stupidity oil our
life here has this week received the shock Of new
\ sensation" On the morning Of the 22d instant
very early, about 600 French troops eG inclua d
/ out Of the city while everybody slept, go
II Ing quietly that very few Of the seepers
II were awakened They rose the rorning 20 find that
half the French had gone, and speculation was busy "a
II determine what the movement meant. Some OF the
more ardent partisans Of the French who believe that
n fifty French soldiers can thrash ten times as man
Mexicans. did doubt that this small force OF 60
men had started 10 open communication with derino
II so ard that they would make the march in spite Of
Pesqueras 1900 or 900 men, and capture and hold
Il the largest and wealthiest city Of the State.
H But others were Of the opinion the movement was
only reconnaissance designed 10 ascertain the posi-
ton and numerical force Of Peslrera.
II At night Of the 22d began 10 get the news Ii
appears that the French force moved ont from the city
about 10 miles. deyating from the Hermosilo road
about five miles out. taking direction toward range
Of mountain hills lying between the Hermosilo aud
San Marcial roads
The 81 Chesseurs DAfrque were in the advance,
the infantry being more then mile TO the rear They
encountered on the road score or 80 OF Pesqueirl
horsemen, who took to their heels making toward
camp with considerable speed the Chasseurs in lively
pursuit They struck into canon or dry bed OF creek
rnnnn0 down between two mountain bills and before
the Chasseurs were Of il they had ridden right
into the heart OF Pesqueiras army, which was eI-
oamped on the hills on each side OF the canon. The
French captain Of cavalry finding that he had plunged
Zoo TO 900 men, who commenced shooting from the
hills on each side instantly decided that the safest
course 10 continue at a rapid galop on through
the Mexican army and then wheel and make detour
back to the French infantry. Suddenly, however, he
heard the Mexicans sounding the retreat and, giving
the word his men wheeled and rode back cutting and
sasling as they went losing five men, Lieutenant and
fonr privates. 1t was marvellous escal But the
Mexican forces much astonished and astounded
to 80 French troopers in the midst Of them
the Chasseurs were TO find themselves there, and @
panic seized them.
The whole army melted away, going hcter skelter
over the hills the chief officers being in advance The
Freuch infantry did not get within fighting distance.
except with artillery with which shells were sent after
the rsteating forces. II is difficult to get any trust
worthy statement to the number Of Moxcans killed
Thefgures given range all the way from to 49, The
probability is that very few were killed. as. really,
no attacking force could Get at them. They
fed instantly upon the apparition Of the SO
troopers in their center giving chance for battle
or even skirmish. Some Of their supplies and mum.
tons were captured but they got off with their three or
four pieces Of cannon.
The French made pursuit. Indeed it was impos.
sbe over those hills. The day prodigiously hot
and after resting till toward night tho French all
came back to the cityhe result OF the days business
being that Pesqueiras army vanished resolved into its
original elements.