Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-02-10
REPULSE
FEDERAL TROOPS
WITH HEAVY LOSS
General Luque's Army Engages
InsurrectOs in Bloody Five
hour Battle.
AMERICAN TROOPERS
ARE ALSO UNDER FIRE
Shells from Mexican Combat
ants Frequently Hiss Across
the Rio Grande.

MULATA, Mex, Feb. 8, by Preside
and Maria, Tex, Feb. 10.-Mexican
forces under General Luque have sus-
tanned another defeat in their attack
on insurrectos, whom they have been
lighting il this vicinity for the last
week. Today the Federals assaulted
the insurrecto force entrenched about
Mulata. They were repulsed with
heavy loss after a battle lasting tive
hours.
Frequently during the assault Amer
lean troops ON the opposite side of the
Rio Grande were under fire. Shells
from field guns used by the Federals
hissed across the river, bursting dan
gerously close to men of Troop H, of
the Third United States Cavalry,
which patrolled the river bank. 1t Is
declared by witnesses that frequently
the Federals, chagrined at the fruit
lessness of their assault, deliberately
turned their guns at groups of women
and children who had sought refuge
on the American side of the stream.
One shell from the Federars fire burst
near Captain Williams, of the cavalry,
killing an ipsurrecto who was watcn-
ing the battle from the American side.
The Federals withdrew after fierce
fighting. It is expected that, despite
their losses, they will renew the attack
tomorrow Friday). The insurrectos
had been warned that Federal soldiers
were coming. They took position on
q hill near the town in the adobe houses
and behind the banks of an irrigation
ditch.
The Federals approached in battle
line with infantry next to the river,
cavalry on the right side and artillery
in the centre. After shelling the town
at long range the soldiers advanced
and the insurrectos opened fire.
The hottest fight took place along
the ditch Twice the Federals captured
the ditch, but each time were driven
out by the rebels. In the last charge
the insurrectos were led by a Scot, #.
S. McCombs,N and an American. Seven
Mauser rifles were captured in this
charge.
Cannot Estimate Loss.
The Federals numbered 325 accord
ing to their own announcement. The
pronunciados had 200 men in Mulata.
The Mexican soldiers were commanded
by General Luque and Colonel Doran-
tes, the insurrectos by Torribo Ortegs
and Emilio Salgado. 1t is impossible
to estimate the number. of killed to-
night The bodies of eight soldiers
have been stripped of their weapons,
but many more were carried off the
field Only one insurrecto, Emilio
Lopez, was killed.
The Mexican soldiers withdrew mile
from their position and camped. To-
night the insurrectos are moving to
better position and there is frequent
firing between outpostsy An attack will
be made at daybreak.
Customs Inspector Tom Perrine and
Lee Grigsby were fired on by Mexican
soldiers and their pack-horses were
shot.
During the fight, Deputy Marshal
Eugene Warren disarmed several re-
fugees. Captain williams has notified
General Luque that there must be no
more firing across the river If his
orders are disobeyed, international
complications may arise.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. Feb. 10.-Ac-
cording to n message received by fed-
eral officials here, 300 Mexican revo-
lutionists and $50 federals were engaged
in battle near Mulato, Mex. The loss
on both sides is reported to have been
heavy, but no detalls nave peen re-
ceived. According to reports, the bat
tie lasted twelve hours
Because of conditions along the Mex
lean border, Brigadier-General Ralph
w. Hoyt, commander OF the depart
ment Texas who was to have relin-
ouished command today and assume
charge of the department of Dakota,
has been instructed to continue In con-
troll Of the Texas troops pending the
arrival of Brigadier-General Joseph w.
Duncan. who will succeed him Feb
ruary 20.