Background
Count Gaston de Raousset-Boulbon was born in Avignon, France, on May 5, 1817. He led two filibuster expeditions from San Francisco
against Sonora, Mexico in 1852 and 1854. The first expedition was under the guise of a mining company known as La Compenia
Restauradora de la Mina de la Arizona. He captured Hermosillo, Sonora in 1852. A retreat to Guaymas resulted in his surrender
to General Miguel Blanco. In 1854 he returned to Sonora. After a series of misunderstandings his French forces were defeated
in the Battle of Guaymas, July 13, 1854, by the forces of Jose Maria Yanez. The Count was executed August 13, 1854.