New-York tribune., 1911-03-13
Americans Render Aid to Injured
in Battle Near Douglas,
Ariz.
DEAD AND W0UNDE0-22.
Revolutionary General, After
Mystifying Federal Troops,
Suddenly Makes Attack
Retreat in Good Order.

with the losses 10 tne Ieo"iS uhnh'""'
is the result of a battle just cast Of Aqua
Prieta to-day. The opposing forces were
five hundred revolutionists under General
jose de la Luz Blanco and federal
force Of three hundred. directed by
Colonel Mora.
The battle was spectacular and was
witnessed by several thousand Ameri-
cans many Of whom rushed close -
the battlefield while tho firing vas at
it's height. After the smoke had cleared
awav II was Americans In automobiles
who gave the first aid to the injured.
hu,ryins them TO Aqua Prieta. ~n"rs
American PHYSICIANS were in readiness
70 assist the Mexican army surgeons.
II anv rebels were killed or wounded
they were taken back 10 the mountains
bv their comrades.
After mystlfying both the Mexican
officers and tho Americans on the border
for a week Blanco suddenly broke ont
of the canyon leading from Cenisss
Springs and engaged tho federal troops
that had been rushed into Aqua Preta
last night on special train, under COM
nand of Colonel Mora. Except for few
prisoners taken by the federals. TO
rebels retreated in good order
II is understood that Blanco's entire
force did not take part In the engage
ment. Blanco's first move was 10 throw
out skirmish line for the purpose of
drawing the federals into action 70
ascertain their strength.
The battle lasted an hour and II IL be-
lieved that the retreat that followed was
for tho purpose OF drawing the fedcralS
into the canyon. where tho main body of
Rlancos force was stationed. Tho fed
erals. however. after a spirited pursuit,
rallied and returned 10 Aqua Prieta, re-
fusing to be- entrapped.
Another attack is expected tonight.
Three hundred federal troops arc being
rushed from Cananea to the relief OF the
Aqua Prets garrison. and should reach
here by daylight.
Americans Rush to Boundary.
BY o o'clock the rebels were seen
streaming over a little bog and pouring
down into tie side draw from the irter-
national line The Americans began
| rush from Douglas to the boundary By
thousands, mounting the housetops and
| watching the rebel movements with held
glasses. Soon the eastern edge OF the
city was a solid phalanx of sightseers'
When il was seen tat the rebels were
advancing on the town the Commissioner
Of Police in Aqua Preta, La Borcc Vas
quez telephoned 20 Captain TOMBSTONE
commander Of the 9th United states
Cavalry, at Douglas, and within fifteen
minutes the troops had galloped through
the city and had established perfect
patrol along the LIS.
From Aqua Prieta a long line Of fed
e-al troops swept up over the bare
mesa. advancing rapidly toward the rebel
line. approaching from the east.
AS the forces drew near the federals
formed a solid fighting front. and when
about half a mile from the rebels
crouched and awaited the attack. On
the right of the fedora force was the
9th Regiment Of Infantry. On the left
wing was the 18th Infantry. while in the
centre were thirty mounted rurales.
Federal Troops Easily Seen.
The federals had halted on the gentle
slope Of the draw, almost at the point
where the road runs from Aqua Prieta
toward Cabullona. Only few bushes OF
mesquite broke the landscape and the
oil ni, ha
They continued to advance until within
five hundred yards from the federal line.
At this moment the federals arose ana
began firing.
The revolutionists deployed to the
right and left. shooting from their horses
and then dropping from their saddles to
fire from their knees. At the first VOL
lev several federal soldiers dropped. The
soldiers Of the 9th Regiment seemed to
bear the brunt OF the rebel fire.
The rebels. after a short encounter at
close range, galloped over the crest OF
the draw, the federals following. As
the latter appeared OIL high ground the
revolutionists poured in deadly fire. and
1t was at this point that most OF the
federal soldiers were shot.
Lieutenant Manuel Rob!es, OF the 2'th
Regiment. fell, shot through the right
shoulder and the right arm.
Lieutenant Morales. also OF the eth,
dropped with a similar wound.
The loss of these two men is Thought
10 have affected the ranks of the fcder'
ais. for the troops on the left swung
around. following blindly over the next
ridge. where they were encountered py
thirty rebels at range not greater than
two hundrd yards.
Here fell Corporal Neegas, his right
leg shattered close to the hip. Silvestr"
Ramirez. Of the eth. also was shot
through the right leg and five soldiers
we're killed.
seyord the last little ridge the rebels
/ continued to retreat toward the east, the
,ederals following and firing as they ad-
yanced
The rurales depoyed in the shirmish
lie far to the right in an apparent en-
deavor To flank the retreating rebels.
rebel who had been unhorsed and who
was in hiding in the brush gave him.
! self up.
Those Of Blancos men who had not
been engaged in the battle climbed to
higher ground at the base of the foothills
ard the hghtng force galloped back to
join them.