The French attempt to conquer Mexico began in earnest with the attack of around 7000 troops under General Ferdinand Latrille on the town of Puebla on the road to Mexico City. Mexican troops under General Ignacio Zaragoza repelled the overconfident French attack and Latrille was forced to retreat to Orizaba. The French reported their casualties as 177 killed and 305 wounded. "Cinco do Mayo" remains a celebration for Mexicans around the world today. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
The Annual Register or a View of the History and Politics of the Year 1862 (London: F. & J. Rivington, 1863), 217.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
US/the World