3-011-787 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from Mexico: court-martial of Mexican brigands at Puebla, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by M. Beaucé, an illustration relating to '...the capture of sixteen brigands, recently tried by court-martial at Puebla; they formed part of Quesada's famous band. For the exercise of their predatory functions they were well mounted and well armed, and did not lack a certain amount of boldness. They had made an attack upon San André, but were repulsed with loss. From a sentiment of vengeance they afterwards pillaged Jalapasca, and subsequently attacked and burnt the hacienda of San Antonio d'Arcos. Such atrocities led to their vigorous pursuit by the French detachments, and the sixteen rascals were at length arrested in San Antonio, and sent for trial to Puebla. Seven of them were condemned to death on the 18th of October, and were shot at eight o'clock the following morning. The remaining nine were sentenced to hard labour for life. The scene of the court-martial represented in our Engraving is the reading of the sentence'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.