Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-04-18
MORE AMERI ANS WOUNDED.
fighting at Aqua Prieta May Compel

Fighting at Aqua Prieta May Compel
Intervention.
Aqua Preta, Mexico, April 1.-THE
most important battle Of the Mexican
revolution thus far was fought here ro-
day between 1900 federals under COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. DiaZ and 1000
rebels under Balasario Garcia and re-
suited in the repulse of the former.
The battle, however, was not finally
decisive. 1t lasted from $50 a. m. uii-
til sundown. At nightfall, two federal
machine guns were in the possession
of the rebels and the federals had sus-
tanned a loss estimated by the rebels
as at least two hundred killed and
wounded. The rebels gave their own
loss at 90.
From the beginning Of the battle,
regardless Of the warning given py
the United States government to the
leaders of both forces, a rain OF bull
lets poured into the American town
of Douglas, and when the day was
over. it was found that seven nom
combatant residents Of that city had
been wounded 1t was a day almost
of terror in Douglas
Dawn revealed the federals formed
in fam shaped battle line in the level
country about mile distant from
Aqua Prieta, with their machine guns
notice
the enemy of their approach with
hail of bullets from machine guns,
supported by rifle fire, their evident
intention being to gain the lnterna-
tional line with its adobe guardhouses
and from this vantage ground turn
their fire on the rebels. The insur-
rectos directed their fire at the crews
of the machine guns. The nTe
of the federals was so fierce that IL
forced the rebels back to their sec
ond line of entertainments. The 1ea-
erals advanced slowly. AS they came
nearer. the fire of the rebels became
more effective.
Leaving the protection of their
breastworks, the rebels moved into
the open, continuing to concentrate
their fire on the federal machine
guns. The federals, finding the rebel
defense too strong, after three hours
fighting, gave up the attempt to carry
the trenches and began to retreat.
Presently the machine guns were
silenced. Rebel sharpshooters mad
made 1t impossible to man them.
Sheer exhaustion occasionally caused
partial lull in the fighting during the
day. At IL o'clock the repulsed red
erals reformed and again advanced to-
their movements with heavy rifle fire.
The machine guns were silent. The
rebels, encouraged by their early sue
cess, returned the federal fire eagerly.
The interval had been employed oy
the rebels in digging new trenches.
The advance guard of the federals
in the attack consisted Of fifty caval-
rymen and 800 infantry. Behind them
was a supporting party that kept un-
der cover Of trees and bushes. The
federals reserved their fire, but an
unceasing stream Of bullets poured
from the rebel trenches. These, strik-
ing the dry earth, made 1t appear as
though a dust storm were raging ana
for time obscured the conflict
The advancing federals again found
the strength and determination Of the
insurrectos too much for them. They
fell back, but in good order, firing as
they retired. They left the field and
their two machine guns In the possess
sion Of the enemy
The Douglas wounded are
o. K. Coll, Tombstone, scalp wound
on the side of the head, while watch
ing the battle from Fourth street,
Douglas. Mr.. Coll had accompanied
the Associated Press correspondent to
the front earlier in the day and had
fallen back to that point OF obserVa-
ton.
Elpidoe Arce, Douglas, wounded in
foot.
Frank Williams, blacksmith helper,
Copper Queen Mining company, shot
in back while standing outside OF the
prescribed danger zone. The wound
is serious and probably fatal.
John Hamilton. Douglas, wounded
in back while watching the battle with
forty others from the top Of an adobe
house several blocks from the interna-
tional line.
Jesus Alcantara, Douglas. flesh
wound in leg.
Mrs. Larson, severely cut by shat
tered glass Of kitchen window.
John Keith, Douglass wounded in
leg while walking in the street.
More than half Of Douglas was un-
der fire from the beginning until the
end Of the battle. The United States
custom house was in the direct range
of the attack and the United States
soldiers near there were forced to
seek shelter.
When the battle began Col. William
A. Skunk, commanding the United
States troops, rushed his four troops
OF cavalry to the line and took every
possible precaution for the safety of
the citizens of Douglas. keeping them
out Of that portion of the city which
was most exposed. This, however,
did not avail to save Americans from
injury.
Every indication points to a re-
sumption Of fighting by tomorrow. II
the federals should prove successful,
1t means that the battle Will be car
ried to the streets of Aqua Prieta with
increasing menace to the citizens OF
Douglas.
There is a movement tonight among
the leading citizens of Douglas to send
a large number of kilograms to Pres
ident Taft asking him to safeguard at
any cost the lives of United States cit
izens.
Col Skunk has wired all informa-
ton on the situation to President Taft.
Mayor Mcguire today sent the follow
ing message to President Taft:
"Six persons shot in Douglas today
during battle between Mexican fede-
rails and insurrecto forces. Battle still
going on and worse yet to follow.
Bullets falling all over city. Cannot
something be done for our protec-
tion?"