[1]: 117  On 16 October, Perry left Anton Lizardo with the steamboats Mississippi, Vixen and McLane and the schooners Reefer, Bonita, Nonata, and Forward.

[1]: 118  However, at night, Perry recalled his landing party and Traconis's forces returned to the city, barricading themselves inside buildings.

[1]: 118  Traconis received a delegation of U.S. Marines who requested their surrender, but responded "Tell Commodore Perry that I would sooner die with my garrison before handing over this place."

Perry realized that a bombardment of the city was the only option to drive out the Mexican troops, but would harm noncombatants, so he decided to retreat to Frontera with his prizes.

The Americans, believing that this signalled a surrender, stopped firing and sent a delegation to investigate, receiving the same answer as before from Traconis, who then fixed the flagpole to the tower of the Church, and the battle recommenced, continuing until evening.

[1]: 118 Perry managed to establish a naval blockade with the U.S Revenue Cutters McLane and Forward.