THE SACK OF HERMOSILLO HORRIBLE ATROCITIES.

Grey River Argus, Issue 96, 23 August 1866, Page 3

THE SACK OF HERMOSILLO HORRIBLE ATROCITIES.

The "Alta' California" translates as. follows from the Guay'mas correspondent of the^" Courfier.de San Francisco" :-r*Guayihas, May 12, 18p6. - My last letter communicated to you my fears that the bands; of Pesquiera were again about "to ravage the north of this State, and those fears were only too well founded. - . ' On the 3rd instant, Hennosillo was attacked by Pesquiera, Martinez, and Cachoro, who, had collected 1400' or 1500 men, and promised them that they might sack the town if they would take it. The place was defended by ahundred Mexican Imperialists, under Jose Maria Almada, and a company-rof 39 foreigners, mostly Frenchmen. The defence was heroic, and after all the foreign company, save four or five, had been killed, on the morning of 'the 4th inst, at ten o'clock, ihe brigands 'entered the city, and massacred everybody found in the streets, and many of . those who had retired to their homes— Mexicans and foreigners, men, women, and children. They broke into' all the large stores, and pillaged 'and "destroyed the goods. Many of the banditti were under.- the influence

of mescal when they entered the town, and when they plundered; the stores "they helped themselves to wines and liquors, and champagne mixed with tlie blood which ran in the gutters, while the drunken shouts of the murderers and the cries; of their victims fijjed the air. A witness, of the carnage^ who escaped, and has arrived here, gives details which the pen refuses to;' record. One of our unfortunate compatriots, M. Monie, .who kept an hotel, was in his yardj after seeing his son wounded by ten balls, and then cut down "with hatchets. ' M.Gonzalez, a respectable ,pld maii, and, head of . a wealthy house, was also.assassinated, and many others whp had never borne arms i suffered the Same fate. After having plundered -the stores, the brigands searched for money, broke open desks and drawers, and took all the( cash they could find. • ' I / .',. ' " Hennosillo being thijrty-eight leagues from Guayinas,andtwenty-t>yo from Ures, Pesquiera and his friend*' supposed themseTves secure for several plaj's ;' but after they had held possession; ("of the town four hours and. a half, they were attacked by Colonel Tanori, who had started from Ures -with 400 Indians, to relieve the garrison of Hermosillo. The battle was short but bloody; and every bayonet' under Tanori's command drank blood. General Laiibei-g, who accompanied Tariori r was magnificent, 'it is said,"in Ins coolness and 'audacity ; at the. head of tenmen he took a cannon with which Pesquiera might have done much execution * * * It issaidthat 400 of the Chinacos %yere slain in Hermosillo. Lanberg and Tantori remain in possession city, which has been declared in astate of seige. All the men are under arms." <<• ' Other letters say that the conduct of Pesqiuera's men was bai^barous in the extreme, and that they committed all the horrible exccsses*"custom|,ry. ; in the sack of towns in tlie middle ages'..; .' V