Two of the Mexican cannons had melted and a third had fallen from its mount. Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Peñúñuri of "Independencia" led a handful of men in a bayonet charge and was defeated. He and Captain Luis Martínez de Castro, who had accompanied him, were killed in the battle. Officers from the "Bravos" attempted to raise the white flag over the convent walls on three occasions. They were prevented from doing so, however, by members of the "San Patricios", who had resolved to fight to the end and not let the Americans capture their flag. The San Patricio Battalion were ultimately captured and court-martialed for desertion, including the leader, John Patrick Riley. U.S. Captain James Milton Smith finally stopped the fighting by putting up a white handkerchief.