president, Sánchez says: Although initially skeptical, he eventually agreed to give aid to the rebels due to the possibility of Spain stretching its power to the rest of the island. With this, he managed to recruit other exiled Dominicans and obtain resources to organize a force of 500 men. This expedition would later be revered to as the Dominican Regeneration Movement. Before entering the Dominican Republic, he published his final manifesto on January 20, 1861. In it, he addressed a proclamation to the Dominican people, in which he denounced: Likewise, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez noted: In the proclamation Sánchez called the attention of the Dominicans: In another letter, written to Damián Báez, on January 16, four days earlier, Sánchez firmly asserts: With his mission now set, Sánchez, along with his followers, which included fellow Trinitarians Pedro Alejandro Pina, Timoteo Ogando, and José Maria Cabral, broke away from Haiti and left to the Dominican Republic. Capture and Execution Entrance to Dominican Republic Entering through Hondo Valle, (in the province of present-day Elías Piña), on June 1, 1861, Sánchez led his force in an attempt to overthrow Santana, making his way towards Santo Domingo. Fernando Taveras took the route through Neiba, while Cabral took the route through Las Matas de Cruz. Sánchez managed to cross through Vallejuelo with ease, eventually arriving in El Cercado. Recognized by authorities, he was able to gain the cooperation of the prestigious De Oleo family. Simultaneously, however, Spain had been made aware of Haiti's involvement into the expedition, and threatened to invade if the support continued, thus causing Geffrard to widthdraw his support. This sudden turn of events was first received by Cabral, who immediately returned to safety in Haiti. Once this news reached Sánchez, he also began his retreat back to Haiti, but not before keeping open friendships to the local bosses in the city. But Sánchez was unaware that the inhabitants of El Cercado, who had previously allied with him, also widthdrew their support. They had considered themselves lost in the face of the failure of their enterprise, and resolved to save themselves from the punishment of the government. This act would ultimately seal Sánchez's fate. As Sánchez left for Haiti, he was stunned that Santiago De Oleo was not present. As for De Oleo, he knew the exact route where Sánchez and his companions would take, and thus he set an ambush for him.