On 28 March 1864 the French flagship La Cordelière appeared near the center island, signaling between the French war vessels and boats which were about to land artillery and troops. French ships were being spread to a half circle around the shooting range of the port. At first all the boats advanced a league forward and unleashed their fires while approaching the Mexican positions, which was answered by six batteries commanded by the Captain Benitez Martial. Then a group of boats evaded to the left and only three boats remained in front of the total fourteen and landed the troops. Captain Marcial Benitez stayed on the beach, with two batteries to face the ships, while Colonel Gaspar Sanchez Ochoa with four pieces, commanded by Artillery Captain Jose Gamboa, and two battalions, advanced to