La Puebla (Franco-Mexican War).
On May 4, 1863, the French army, 25,000 strong, under General Forey, laid siege to La Puebla, which was held by a Mexican garrison under General Ortega. Forey's force was too small for a complete investment, and he began operations against the Fort of San Xavier. On the 29th this post was taken by storm, the French losing 230, the defenders 600 men. From this point the French obtained foothold in the town, and then proceeded to capture the houses block by block. So determined was the resistance, however, that their progress was very slow, and by April 7 they had made next to no advance, though they had lost a further 600 men. Later in the month an attack on the Convent of Santa Cruz was repulsed with a loss of 480. On May 8 a relieving force of 10,500 men, under General Comonfort, was defeated by a small French column under Bazaine, losing 8 guns and 1,000 prisoners, and from this point further resistance was useless. Ortega, therefore, after a most gallant defence, surrendered with 1,455 officers and 11,000 men, May 17, 1863.