The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-11

Ell Paso, Texas, Feb. THE first
battle of Juarez, between Federal
troops and insurrectos was fought to-
day. Exhibition" is the pro-er word.
for no one was hurt on either side.
and the exhibition" was viewed by
a thousand or more FL Pasoans, who
lined the bank Of the Rio Grande on
the American side, about three miles
west Of Ell Paso.
The exchange Of shots lasted about
| fifteen minutes and about 200 shots
were fired. According to Pascqual
| Orozco, the leader of the insurrect-
ionists, his men fired only fifty of
these. He declared that the Federals
got away so fast that they were out
of range before more shots could be
fired at them.
| Tonight the Federals are behind the
walls of the Cathedral Of Gauadaloupe,
the barracks and the bull ring, at
Juarez, across the river from here.
Orozco remains in possession Of the
position which he occupied at noon
and held against the Federal advance.
He declared, in an interview with the
Associated Press, that he firmly in
tends to attack Juarez, but that he
\ hn orrixy nf IlIz
| with $50 men. He looks for the lat
ter at any moment.
Orozcos force around Juarez num-
bers under 600 men, probably $50.
OF those, 80 were with him in the
skirmish today. The Federal forces,
! by actual count, numbered 318, in
cluding 100 foot soldiers and "a
mounted infantry. They took with
them no artillery, and Orozco has
| none.
| The insurrecto leader and his men
spent last night at Rancho Flores,
usually inhabited by a few horses and
a herd of goats. which the rebels
took.
Orozco left the ranch during the
forenoon and reached a new position
/ on the hills. along the river across
from the Ell Paso Smelter. Here the
correspondents, who had been on his
trail since daybreak discovered him.
He and six Of his lieutenants met the
visitors half way up the mountain
side. He carried rifle, like his men.
He looked careworn, but determined.
He answered questions only after
deliberation ana often evasively. He
was Of no mind to betray his plans.
His men were scattered along the hills
for three-quarters of a mile.
Someone leaving FL Paso in an au-
tomobile, coincident with the depart
ure of the Federals from Jaurez un-
| der Col Rabago gave the rebels
warning. Making a trumpet with his
hands, the Ell Pasoan shouted: Get
busy, the troops are coming"
|
lowed by scores Of others, each con-
tanning a number Of people, many of
| them women. Hundreds came on hay
| ricks, bicycles and wagons to the
| smelter.
Others on foot arrived, breathless,
arter 1T was all over, except for an
occasional shout echoing from the
hills. AT the alarm Of the automo-
| bilists, the whole mountain side
| awoke to life. At 1000 yards the
revolutionists looked like insects max
ing their way on all fours to avoid
| bullets, through the maze of cactus,
soapwood, sage brush and boulders.
1t was about 2 o'clock this morn
ing when Col Rabago marched out
the river road The eastern wing of
Orozco's force opened fire, when the
| foot soldiers appeared on a crest
about 600 yards distant. The Fed
erals halted in a compact mass, but
escaped injury because the thirty
thirties." carried by the revolution
lists, are not effective at that distance.
They then returned and retreated at
dog trot. The mounted men of the
Federals did not come within range.
The sightseers on the American side
bear witness to the celebrity of the re-
treat. AS soon as news of impend-
ing fight reached Col Sharpe, COM
manding the 23d infantry, U. S. A.,
he dispatched reinforcements TO the
guard at the smelters to prevent pos
sible violation of American neutrality.
The skirmish had been over for an
hour, rebel, clutching a five peso
| bill in his hand. crossed to the Amer
1