New-York tribune., 1911-04-09
bank OF the Encina Canal. and the rebels

bank Of the Encina Canal. and the rebels
sought cover In gunies. cut by past
overfows af the Colorado. Here they
fought until about o'clock. holding
their own amid the crackle of rifle shots
that could be heard family against the
hail OF lead from the federal automatic
guns and high powered rifles.
For some reason the federals did not
bring up their field pieces until that
hour In the meantime reconnoiter-
ing force of nearly one hundred men
made its way to the border east OF Mex
icali, and there. learning that Williams
was unsupported. marched quickly
southward. This force struck Williamss
flank
simultaneously the first federal shell
shrieked over the rebel position ana eN-
ploded near the hospital wagon. through
field glasses the rebels were seen to
scatter, and the hospital wagon, sur
mounted by the flag Of the Red Cross
disappeared in the thick mesquite.
Shells Fall Fast on Rebel Position.
Then one after another the federal
shells dropped along the rebel position
while the rattle Of the small arms re-
doubled. At 4.45 Mayot again hanked
Wlliamss force, forcing him to aoan-
don his position. His men could be seen
fleeing across the barley field
Then came the shell that is believed TO
have wounded Williams A party or
horsemen was seen speeding across the
field. A shell struck the ground ana ex-
ploded with a lightning flash. When the
smoke cleared away the horsemen couid
not he seen. The rout increased. Infan-
trymen clung to the stirrups of the gal
loping cavalry or climbed to the saddles
and rode double.
The fugitives. cut off from the main
road began running through the mes
quite and over the desert when falriy
danced with the heat although the sun
had sunk low in the west. In an hour
the survivors began to straggle into
Mexicali. All told the same story OF the
defeat.
1.-THE war is over in Lower California.
The dream of establishing sociallsuc
Utopia has evaporated."
This is the opinion of officers of the
United States army here, based on the
defeat Of Stanley Williams, who is lying
in the army hospital tonight IT is not
believed that Salinas's meagre garrison
can withstand the attack Of the federals.
Numerous desertions are expected to-
night.
Reports from the federal camp place
their dead at five. with four wounded.
Marches Out. Laden with Loot.
Williams left Mexicall this morning
with the mules stolen yesterday from
American ranches in Lower California.
laden with ira rifles. ammunition and
supplies. heading straight for the federal
forces. which are besieging the CITY,
II was do or die with Williams, for
there was no sanctuary for him across
the border in the United States. He was
once a ouartermaster sergeant in the
United States Army. and would have
been tried for desertion if caught on the
American side. He was declared an out
law yesterday by the rebel commander
here.
Heroes" Fall Into Otches'
AT least ten men Of Williams's force
deserted owing to the imminence Of real
fighting. Two of them were typical
specimens Of ''brakebeam travellers In
their hurry to get TO the safe side Of the
international boundary they fell into irri-
cation bitches and were captured by
American soldiers.
you are fine soldiers Of liberty" said
the officer of the guard. why didn't
you stay and fight?"
I'VE couldn't see it that way" was
their sheepish answer.
Most Of Williams's men were mere
youths. but all were heavily armed with
four or five belts Of extra cartridges. AS
they marched out Of MexicaD tneir
bearing indicated that the former Ameri-
can soldier had not been drilling them IN
vain for the last few weeks Ihey