Led by General Isidro Barradas, an invasion force of several warships, 15 supply ships, and 3500 men sailed from Havana on 5 July.

As the Spanish had not instituted a naval blockade, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna was able to sail north from Veracruz with 1000 men to reinforce Tampico.

[2] Barradas continued to advance into early August, winning minor skirmishes against Mexican forces and capturing Tampico Alto.

On the 15th, Barradas ordered the Spanish fleet to set sail for Cuba to gather reinforcements and began to send foraging parties into the nearby countryside, resulting in skirmishes with Mexican units.

[4] Santa Anna counterattacked on the night of 20 August, unsuccessfully attempting to infiltrate the Spanish positions but successfully withdrawing afterward.

[4] Mexican reinforcements continued to arrive over the next several days while the Spanish built a fort on the left bank of the Panuco river.

On 7 September a large Mexican division of 5000 men arrived to reinforce Santa Ana, while Barradas' army suffered severe attrition from disease and lack of supplies.

Under the terms of the surrender, the Spanish army gave up its weapons, was allowed safe passage back to Cuba, and was obliged to sign a vow not to take up arms against Mexico in the future.