The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-24
FIGHT WITH GARzAITES.
CAPT. BoURKE AND HIS MEN PUT rErAr
TO FLIGHT.
Ahe Revolutionists Kad Planned TO Cross
the Bio Graude and Attack Cam.
argo-ccrporal Gnalles S Ed.
str0m hlileu,
Special to The Statesman.

RIO GRANDE CITY, Tex, Dec. o.
Capt. John G. Bourke with nineteen
cavalrymen and infantry met and
engaged this morning sixty revolu-
tionists at a place called the "Reta-
mal," in Starr county, seven miles
from where Catarino Cara crossed
into Mexico near Laguna. AS are
suit Corporal Charles S. Edstrom is
dead at Fort Ringgold with two bul.
lets in his head and one in his body,
while Lieut.. Chas. Hays in the fight
was knocked from his horse by bull
let glancing across his chest, but
which fortunately only stunned him.
AT $3.50 p. m. United States
Marshal M. A. Banado of Hi
dalgo county informed Capt. Bourke
that large body of revolutionists
were rendezvousing in this county
below here and would make crossing
at the Grulla ranch the same night TO
attack Camargo. Capt. Bourke at
once moved out with Lieut.. Chas.
Hays and nineteen men, half of whom
were mounted, to prevent it. The in
fantry in wagons was on the run at 8
o'clock the same night. They reached
the Grulla and placed under guard
Deputy United States Marshal
Tomas Cara, who gave information
of the revolutionists' rendezvous. Two
soldiers mounted on each horse with
the deputy United States marshal be-
hind on another, handcuffed, marched
for the "Retemal,n a collection of
springs within one mile Of that place.
At 1920 this morning the United
States forces dismounted by Captain
Bourke's orders and advanced care
fully on the revolutionists with orders
to make no reply to challenge. Soon
a quien viva by the enemy's pickets
receiving no answer the soldiers were
fired on by two pickets. Then Cap
tain Bourke gave the order to fire
followed by three volleys,
which made the revolutionists break
and run. Deputy Tomas Cara es-
capped during the confusion, it being
very dark, and not knowing the
ground, Captain Bourke did not pur-
sue, but returned to the river,
where he heard the revolution
lists had three skiffs ready to
cross. After staying short time,
he took up the line of march for
''Retamaln springs, where the revolu-
tionists were we'll posted, and they
opened fire on him at once, killing
Corporal Edstrom and woundiDg
Lieutenant Hays.
Captain Bourke's tlankers being
driven in, his handful Of bluejackets
at once advanced. They were
nearly four to one,
and in short order Garza's men
ran, but not until Private Lloyd of G
troop, Third cavalry, who had been
captured on the skirmish line, got
back to his command. 1t is not posi-
lively known what damage was done
% Garza's men, who are commanded
oy Eustorgio Ramon and Julian
Flores.
Lieutenant Hays horse was recap
jured and the complete outfit Of one of
he levolutionists, consisting of
rifle, 100 rounds of car
ridges, saddle, bride and white
badge worn on his hat with "Liberes
Tronteerizosn free frontier) on it in
arge black letters. A dozen more of
he revolutionists' horses got away
rom them, but they were so wild
hey could not be caught. This gal
ant and timely attack upon them un-
loubtedly prevented the sacking OF
Jamargo, as was intended that night.
these men came from the
oast counties and were a
,art of several hundred, one
ection being ordered to rendezvous
lear Los Angeles, near Laredo to
ross about Ft. Mcintosh, the second
O cross at Carrizo to draw the Mexi-
an troops from Mier and Camargo so
S to have the latter place unguarded
or an attack by the body that Capt.
,ourke and his men defeated today.
his shows positively that more
roops are needed here at once. Three
evolutionists were arrested at the
irulla ranch by Capt. Bourke and
re now in the guard house. Great
xcitement prevailed in Camargo last
light.