The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-30
Desperate Fight i'm Which General Mar
gallo Was Killed, Along with
Many OF His Soldiers.
TROOPS HURRYING FORWARD
War RumOrs Growing Out Of the
Recent Fetes in France.
Gossip Concerning the Coming Election
in Germany, with Facts About
the Electoral System.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


MADRID, Oct. 29.-General Margello,
commander-in-chief of the Spanish troops
at Melilla, was shot dead yesterday while
leading a sortie against the Riffians. Sew
enty of his men were killed and 122 others
were wounded. The Sortie was made after
the Riffians had been driven back to the
citadel by the Spaniards who had been
building a redoubt near Fort Cabrerizas.
The tribesmen, although under a heavy
artillery fire from the Spanish forts, did
not abandon the pursuit of the Spanish
troops Eventually they occupied the
trenches which had been dug near the fort
to protect the Spanish soldiers at their
work. To dislodge them Margello led out
two thousand infantry from the fort. The
Rifiians in the trenches held them in check
until achievements, six thousand strong
were brought from the main body, about
mile back in the hills. The tribesmen then
had some eleven thousand warriors. They
stretched out their line. apparently for the
purpose of surrounding Margello, and at
one time the fighting extended all along
three-line front Margello tried to break
the center of their line, and charged with
half his men, but was repused with heavy
losses. Just as the order for retreat was
given he fell from his horse shot through
the heart His body was carried by his
men from the field, and lies now in the
citadel at Meilla. Under a hot fire from
the Riffians, the Spaniards retired to Fort
Cabrerizas. The Riffians were checked IN
their pursuit by the guns of the fort They
answered the fire internationally throughout
last night from the earthworks formerly
occupied by the Spaniards. AT midnight
General Ortega, on whom the command de-
volved after Margellos death, went to Fort
Cabrerizas with 1850 infantry Then he led
out three thousand men and drove the Riff
fans from the trenches, which the Span
iards were occupying when the last dis
patches were received. General Ortega tele-
graphs that the situation is serious and that
reinforcements are urgently needed.
The city has been intensely excited by the
news of the battle. The official dispatches of
the battle which have been made public are
SO meager that the people believe that the
worst has not been told. There is little
doubt anywhere that the losses OF the Span
iards have been understated. The Ministers
were summoned in haste to a Cabinet meet
| ing Immediately after the news of the bat
tie was received. orders have been issued
| for three regiments of cavalry and four
battalions of infantry to embark imme-
diately for Meilla.
Late this evening more details of the
| battle at Mellla were made public. The
| Riffians, despite the heavy artillery fire.
| came within twenty yards of Fort Ca
| brierizas. They maintained a constant flu
| siliade, and fought throughout the battle
with audacious bravery. The guns Of the
| Condo de venadito alone prevented still
| worse disaster to the Spanish troops. and
4 kan he ri
| When the Riffians captured the redoubt
| building near the fort they found two
| fort, answering repeatedly the Spanish fire.
| The tribesmen rested in the village of Mes
| quta after the fight. They kept up q des-
| ultory fire upon the forts and the Condo
| de Venadito throughout the night. When
| General Margello was shot the Riffians
| rushed forward to seize the body. The
| EStremadura regiment and the diSciplln-
| airy battalion shouted and charged with
| bayonets. clearing away the enemy and
/ secured the body of their dead commander.
| The excitement here is enormous. Great
/ crowds have paraded the streets since noon
| singing, waving banners and shouting fol
| the determination of the Riffians. Unbound
| ed enthusiasm was caused by the news
| that General Macais, with five battalions
| and three batteries would reach Mellla
before midnight. Macais is instructed by
| the government to await further instruc
| tons before attacking the Riffians. While
| the Ministers were In conference Senol
| Sagasta presiding, all were summoned t
| the palace by Queen Regent Christina, who
| wished TO learn what measures they would
| take. The Ministers informed her that they
| had decided to call out the reserves anC
| mobilize Several army corps, as the lates
| events had shown that more than twe!v,
| thousand men would be needed to subdu,
the Riffians The embarkation of the Sec
| ond Army Corps will be completed on Tues
| day, and troops are leaving all parts o.
the country to form another corps in Anda
| lusia.
! A dispatch received from Melilla say.
] that the troops and war ships there are II
| pressing need of more ammunition. The 1ir
| ing is kept up night and day. The Riffian
| renewed their attack yesterday at day
| light The fighting continued several hours
| The forts have shelled the village of Ere
| lana. All but a few huts were totally de
! stroyed The mosque was shattered and tn
| ruins are in flames