The Emperor sends a naval division on August 2 commanded by the Admiral Thomas Cochrane, composed of a ship of the line, a brig, a corvette and two transports, and twelve hundred soldiers led by Brigadier General Francisco de Lima e Silva.

The troops disembark in Maceió, capital of Alagoas, whence they travel by land towards Pernambuco.

The imperial forces soon met with Paes Barreto and his four hundred men, who join the march.

Throughout the way, the army is strengthened by militias, which increase their numbers to thirty-five hundred soldiers.

Most of the population of Pernambuco, who live in the countryside, including partisans of Paes Barreto, are neutral or indifferent to the disputes between both factions, and remain faithful to the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Cochrane, who is already besieging Recife from the sea, tries to convince Paes de Andrade to surrender and thus to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Andrade refuses the offer.