Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-02-13
REBELS FAIL TO
STEM RETREAT Of
FEDERAL TROOPS
at Mulata Results in Loss
of Forty Soldiers, One
InsurrectO.

MARIA, Tex, Feb. 13.-Delayed adj
vices received here today clear up sus-
pense over the results of the fighting
between insurrectos and Federals
around Mulata. The last word received
during the middle of last week told OF
Federal reverses in an assault upon
rebel ines at Mulata. News received
here today says the ,lde of battle re-
manned the same, with The result that
the Federals retreated to Ojinaga, their
base of supplies. The insurrectos were
unable to check Luque's retr eat. Their
supply of ammunition was exhausted.
The Federal loss was forty killed aud
wounded.
The insurrecto loss was one killed
and wounded throughout the w days
battle. Their leader, Ortega, had pro-
vided excellent defensive works against
the Federals' assaults. The insul gents
fought from behind ~breastworks, stone
heaps and trees. IT reminded one of
days of fighting when the indian COM
bated the westward march Of the
Yankee.
Stories are told of Federal soldiers
cruelty to non-combatants and the re-
fusal of the insurrecto leader to per-
NIT his men to take revenge.
Shocking Cruelties by Federals.
-Four old non-combatants we're found
in a farmhouse near Mulata when the
Federals first approached the town.
They were Eucevio de la Cruz, Cruz
Decederio Carrasco and Ma
tias Carrasco. One of the men was 80
years of age, another was blind, and
another a cripple. All We're white
haired. The tnsurrectos found these
old men with their hands tied behind
their backs, lying riddled with bullets.
Their heads were crushed, and one was
slashed across the face by a sabre.
A number of Americans viewed the
bodies, N several signed an affidavit
describing the incident. This sworn
statement will be sent TO Washington.
A dramatic incident followed the dis
covery of the four murdered men. A
government soldier had been lying
wounded In the field. He had been
cared for and fed. When the murdered
men were found several insurrectos
made a rush for tho plaza in Mulata to
take revenge by killing this wounded
soldier. In the crowd was ~ son and a
nephew of the aged victims. Like crazy
men they ran yelling into the plaza
and dragged the soldier into the street.
Many argued against him, but others,
maddened by the sight of the butchered
old men, drew their pistols and de-
clarey they would kill any la that
tried to stop them. At that moment.
Ortega. the insurrecto commander, rode
into the plaza, and called a halt. MY
children" he said, 81 have had a home
laid in ruins and a wife and babies
driven naked I'M starving into the
hills. but / am not yet ready to kill an
unarmed, wounded man,"
The mob's rage was quieted and only
n man, the son of n of the victims,
stepped forward to take the Federal
soldiers life.
Ortega drew his pistol. ut would
break my heart to have to kill a COM
rade," he said, but we shall not be
murderers like the soldiers of Diaz."
The terrified wounded Federal soldier
was picked up, mumbling his thanks
and removed to a shanty.
In the two days battle the Pronucla-
dos lost n man killed n one wound
ed. The dead man, Milario Sanchez,
was shot while battering In a door OF
the house with the Scotchman. f. l.
McCombs, to get a squad OF Federal
soldiers.
Lone Scot scatters Fcderais.
McCombs entered the house alone
and drove the Federals out, killing one
of them. McCombs Is the soldier of
fortune who has earned the title of
Eel Diable" among the insurrectos. His
home Is In Seattle, Wash. During the
entire battle the insurrectos forced the
fighting. The Federals advanced along
the road to within 500 yards Of the
town.
Five boys. all American citizens. were
captured by Mexican rurales yester-
day, while bathing in the Rio Grande,
The rurales shot at them and COM
PEELED them to wade across the river
and surrender. The boys were released
this morning after being locked up all
night. Captain Williams, commanding
the American troops at Preside, was
on the point of ordering the command
of Ojlnaga to release the boys when
they returned to Preside.