Under the command of General Sarrazin, the first battalion of  French troops marched towards Killala.  A small band of Irish rebels joined with them led by Neil Kerrigan.   As the French advanced the locally based Yeomen  made a weak effort to defend their position but fell back once Humbert ordered an immediate attack.   Some fled to Ballina while the remainder retreated to Bishop Stock's residence who was the Protestant Bishop of Killala. Neil Kerrigan and the French broke through the barricaded gates and captured the Yeomen.  Humbert and his Aid-de-Camp,
Bartholomew Telling  set up headquarters in the Castle.   

News of the French landing at Killala soon spread around the country and within twenty four hours of Humbert's landing, nearly a thousand Irish recruits had joined with the French.  Soon French Officers were drilling and training the Irish. Cattle and sheep were rounded up and slaughtered to feed the growing army.