 |
| Ciudad Santa Dale_dawn_1866_on the coastal road from Vera Cruz north to Matamoros |
 |
| French troops escorting a vital ammunition train sheltered overnight in the deserted town |
 |
| The French used the Mission as headquarters, awaiting reinforcements from Matamoros |
 |
| French sentries stand-to, scanning the horizon for Mexican Republican troops |
 |
| Republican troops loyal to Presidente Benito Juarez occupy hills to the southeast |
 |
| Another Republican unit approaches unobserved from the southwest |
 |
| Commandante Jorge Aquas-Caliente signals his comrades "Begin the attack!" |
 |
| Egyptian-Sudanese infantry, allies to the French, open fire on the advancing enemy |
 |
| The supply convoy gets underway while French and Egyptian infantry forms a rear guard |
 |
| The defenders attempt to blunt the Mexican attack |
 |
| Teniente Ronaldo Colafrio leads another unit of pistoleroes in from the east |
 |
| Republican troops close in on the Mission, firing on the run |
 |
| Republican troops occupy the wooded hilltop northeast of the town |
 |
| Tirailleurs algeriens lay down heavy fire on the Republicans advancing from the east |
 |
| The Mexican squad takes casualties, but does not run |
 |
| Pvt. Mohammet-dihn mans the bell tower, firing on the advancing Republicans |
 |
| Commandante Jorge's troops reach the Mission |
 |
| Juan Valdez spurs on the reluctant pack animals |
 |
| The Republicans dash forward, eager to seize the pack animals |
 |
| The pistoleroes close-in on the French rear guard |
 |
| Commandante Jorge urges his men forward -- "Capture the supplies!" |
 |
| The Algerians are overrun and destroyed |
 |
| French reinforcements arrive -- Mexican fire brings down one of the pack mules |
 |
| The Republicans try to prevent the supply convoy's escape |
 |
| The French rear guard -- nearly-destroyed, but fighting on |
 |
| The French relief column arrives and deploys on the north side of town |
 |
| French troops occupy the ruined Tequila factory as the supply convoy flees northward |
 |
| The Republicans have the town, but howl in fury as the supplies escape their grasp |
No comments:
Post a Comment