Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-18
Federal Troops With Heavy
Machine Guns Make De-
termined Assault On the
Rebels, But Are Repulsed
BULLETS AGAIN
FLY IN DOUGLAS
Most Of the Residents Of
American Town Stay In
Doors, But Many Rush to
Witness Conflict.

douglas, Ar1Z., Apf1l 11s.InO IOn8
expected attack Of the Mexican federal
troops on Aqua Prteta opened n dead-
ly earnest at $3.50 = N. today. Tho
firing was fast and furious on both
sides. The rattle Of musketry was con-
tinuous. The hail Of bullets from the
federal machine guns fell far within
the confines Of the city of Douglas.
It was evident from the outset that
the battle was to be decisive one.
Both sides exhibited desperate cour-
age. The federals began by massing
themselves to the southeast of the
town and moved slowly within rifle
range OF the rebel position. The In
surrectos firing In three directions,
lay low in the trenches or fiat on the
open ground The federals' fire raked
over them and into both Aqua Prieta
and Douglas.
Buildings In Douglas HIt
1t was evident from the heavy ar.
ing that the casualties on both sides
were sure to be heavy. The steel and
leaden. missiles from the federal guns
carried far over th international line
and plowed their way into the build
ings facing along Second and Third
streets and dug up the ground here
and there over the whole southern end
of the city. The federals In moving
in. had advanced from the camp which
they established yesterday at Sulphur
Springs, water hole Ave miles south
of Aqua Prieta. They marched slow.
ly to point southeast Of Aqua Prieta
with the evident intention Of gaining
the border In order to attack the reb-
els position along the international
line, but before they were able to gain
this coveted position they encountered
the rebel cavalry which had gall0ped
to intercept them and there was rat
tie from the repeating rifles az the two
advanced forces came into firing
range.
The cavalry dropped back slowly
and the federals next came within
range of the deep entrenchment
thrown up by the rebels during Sun
day and last night which were flied
with insurrecto sharpshooters.
Most OF the residents of Douglas re-
manned within doors or sought other
places Of safety. Some attempted to
gain vantage points to view the bat
tie. notwithstanding the strict orders
of the American troops, many rushed
to the international lines in order to
get view Of the fighting.
American Line Guarded by Cavalry.
With the firing Of the first shot, Col.
Skunk ordered out all the American
cavalry available in Douglas. They
were rushed quickly to the border and
took up positions along the line. Many
of these men were exposed to the fire
Of the Mexican troops, though there
were no casualties reported among
them during the early part Of the bat,
tie. Company G.. of the Arizona ma
tional guard was also ordered out.
There were four troops Of cavalry and
one Of militia in Douglas. This was
considered an ample force to protect
the American line. With the first fre
from the rebel entrenchments the fed
erals were seen to waver momentarily
but the movement was quickly
checked.
For fully fifteen minutes the two
armies held their respective positions
while the rapid fire continued. Thirty
minutes after the battle opened the
rebels abandoned their outlying posi-.
tions and fell back to the breastworka
toward Aqua Prieta. The federal I'D.
vance was slow and In open order
with almost continuous firing. The
rebels with great stubbornness con.
tested every inch Of the way.
While the rebel rifiemen were fall
ing back to the second row Of en-.
trenchments they fought boldly in the
open. They were seen to stop and
take deliberate aim at the advancing
national line and fire round after
round.
Tue backward movement OF the reb-
els toward Aqua Prieta was steady.
Many fell on both sides.
A. p. Correspondents on Ground.
An automobile carrying United
States Marshal Overlook, U. s. Secret
Agent Thompson and the Associated
Press correspondent passed through
the guard line on the American side to
the international line. The hail OF
bullets at this moment drove the party
to the shelter of the United States
custom house but this building was in
(Continued on Page 5l