 On 18 November 1859, he fought in El Pao of Barcelona, marching afterwards towards El Baúl along with Julio César Monagas, in January 1860.In El Baúl, generals Sotillo and Julio César Monagas met with general Juan Crisóstomo Falcón and the Federal armies of the West.On 17 February 1860, he participated in the battle of Coplé, taking control simultaneously of the Eastern column, when general Falcón dissolved a division of the Federal Army as a consequence of the defeat suffered in that battle against general León de Febres Cordero.