38 CALIFORNIA. 



the success of his plans, took the war-path, and visited all the 

 villages in the neighbourhoods, inviting the inhabitants to 

 declare their independence from Mexico. Several influential 

 Mexicans made appointments with Count Raousset, offering 

 their co-operation, with the result that several villages took 

 part in his favour. 



But money was scarce, the soldiers were destitute of 

 clothes and shoes, the armament alone was complete. In 

 consequence of his contests with the Mexican General, he 

 could not discount a draft of 10,000 dollars, even for 6,000. 

 Pressed by necessity, he seized a convoy of thirteen mules 

 loaded with victuals for the soldiers of General Blanco. War 

 was declared. His soldiers thought they defended a good 

 cause and were full of spirit. The Sonorienses admiring 

 their intrepidity proclaimed them heroes. Raousset gave 

 them a French standard with this inscription, " Independence 

 of SonoraP The French had only 184 infantry soldiers, 50^ 

 horsemen, 25 artillery men, and 4 field pieces. With this 

 small force, they attacked an enemy four times more numerous, 

 and entrenched behind walls. 



On the 14th of October, they were close to Hermosillo,. 

 when a deputation of merchants came to the camp and offered 

 to Raousset the sum of 60,000 dollars if they consented to 

 abandon the attack of the town. This offer was refused, and 

 immediately after they entered the town, but scarcely had 

 they passed the first houses of the suburbs when they were 

 fired upon from an isolated house. They deployed as skir- 

 mishers, surrounded the house, and took it by assault. 



In the public garden, 500 National Guards detained them 

 for a quarter of an hour ; the impetuosity of the two first 

 sections well maintained their fire until the artillery took part 

 in the action and obliged the National Guards to evacuate the 

 place. The fight continued street by street, ending in the 

 complete defeat of the troops of General Blanco, who had to 

 retreat in the direction of Guaymas. During this action, two 

 casualties worth recording, took place. The first was that of 

 a volunteer named Hill who came to close quarters with 

 General Blanco. He shot at him, but missed ; he then 

 ran upon him, bayonet in hand, but before reaching him, he 

 was made a prisoner and shot on the spot. The other casualty 

 was that of poor Garnier, a brave fellow, who secured a small 

 howitzer, at the cost of his life. 



In half an hour Raousset conquered the town, at the cost 

 of seventeen killed, and twenty-three wounded, seven of which 

 died several days after. 



