The siege lasted about 11 days until Díaz learned that a column of 1,500 Mexican, French and Austrian soldiers were approaching from the north.

On 16 October Díaz broke off the siege of Oaxaca and marched to fight the relieving Imperial army.

The next day he was reinforced at San Juan del Estado by General Luis Pérez Figueroa's brigade.

Díaz's army then marched northeast to the town of Etla, arriving at a hilltop area known as La Carbonera.

[3] In addition to total victory, the troops of General Porfirio Díaz won a major prize in arms, ammunition and horses, which allowed them to completely rearm.