Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-05-11
200 MEN KILLED.
Mexican Troops AmbuShed in a
Canyon by Indians.
HORSES And MEN CRUSHED.
Hugh Masses of Rocks and Bowlders
We're Rolled Down the Mountain
From the CT IF Nearly 1900
Feat Above, Bounding'From
Wall to Wall.

Wall to Wall.
News has lust been received in San Diego
Cal of a terrible disaster which has over
taken the column of 500 Mexican troops sent
against the Yaquis Indians in Sonora and
Northern Simolia. The troops were led into
narrow canyon, up the preciptous sides OF
which the Indians were ambusheI. From an
elevation of 100 to 1000 feet hugh powders
were rolled down the mountains, crushing the
troops below
President Diaz selected General Torres for
the campaign because of his experience and
supposed ability to accomplish the desired
purpose. But. like the other commanders
who lsve tried it, according to reports
Torres met the Yaquis and was defeated.
The report says force composed OF soldiers
taken from different regiments, accompanied
by party of National militia in command OF
lieutenaut-colonel lately arrived from Mex
leo, were in pursuit of the Yaquis in the
Sierra de Bacatel. On the afternoon OF the
fifth day of the march the trail led the pur-
suers into long, dark, narrow dehle in the
Sierra de Blcatel The walls of the canyon
were almost precipitous, rising to the height
in some places Of over 1000 feet and covered
with brush The command was halted and
skirmishers pushed forward to uncover any
possible ambush. The skirmish line climbed
the walls and beat the brush as far up as
possible without results. and as the trail was
| Il, 4 ;,,+ nd in fha botfon1 n
the ecanyon the colonel in command ordered
them forward
Half the dangerous locality had been ira
versed, with no sign of life nor motion from
the cliffs towering above, and the men were
beginning to breath easier, when suddenly
hugh masses of rocks and powders from the
cliff, nearly 800 feet above, came bounding
from wall to wall down upon the hemmed-in
column, crushing horses and riders in shape
.ess heaps. Higher and higher rose the war
cries Of the Yaquis, who now began fir
ing volley after volley directly into the strug
Cling mass below, where all was confusion.
Horses dashed through the broken column,
trampling on the dead and wounded soldiers.
Men writhed and screamed under the weight
of rocks that had crushed them down into the
earth Others sank under the pitiless hail OF
bullets. and others less severely wounded and
those still unhurt, sought the bushes on either
side and watched for some sign of their
I oloo1thirsty foes. In such confusion it was
impossible for the command of the officers to
be heard but finally the colonel found a
wounded burglar with yet life enough to
sound call.
As rapidly as po ssible the remnant OF the
column fought its way back to open ground
where the foe had not dared to follow, and
after brief rest dragged themselves back
along the route over which they had march
ed so eheerfully the day before.
The number killed cannot be accurately
stated, but out of the column Of 500 men it is
said that at least 200 are either killed or
wounded. An additional force Of 200 militia
has been organized in Hermosillo, and the
campaign against this party of redskins will
be pushed vigorously.
1t is said that Don Jakob Corda, young
| 0OcIOT. dlleI TIC tucOunlCI III luC NuhJ Oh ADAe
place called LANES with a small escort to
attend the wounded, and on passing a place
called Arenas fell into an ambush prepared
by the same party of Yaquis. According to
reports he was slain in a most cruel manner,
the savages first faying his feet and making
him walk. They finally lanced him. The
Sierre de Bacatel is some two days journey
from Guaymas, and is very rugged, wild
country, one of the strongholds of the
Yaquis It Is said that only 100 or 200 Yaquis
were in the rebellion.
The Yaquis are to Mexico what the Apaches
are to Arizona, only, if anything, they are
more cruel. They are magnificent specimens
of manhood, few being under six feet, and
have almost unlimited powers of endurance
They have never been entirely subdued, but
inaugurate periodical raids from their i'm.
pregnable strongholds in the Businesses OF the
Serre Nevadas.