In a forty-minute battle, Confederate Captain Santos Benavides decisively defeated Cortina, killing or capturing many of his soldiers and driving him back into Mexico.

A series of battles followed, in which Cortina was eventually driven back to Mexico by John Rip Ford after his defeat at La Bolsa.

Although Zapata County officials reported a unanimous vote for secession, several prominent citizens remained Unionists at the time of the battle.

In a forty minute fight, Benavides decisively defeated Cortina, driving most of his forces back across the river into Mexico, killing or capturing several Cortinistas.

[5] After the battle, Cortina remained in Mexico and joined forces with Benito Juárez to defeat that year's French invasion, eventually being promoted to lieutenant colonel.