Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-04-19
REBELS MARCH OUT
Of AQUA PR|ETA
At DAWN
LACKED AMMUNITION
Is SOLE EXPLANATION
ReinforcementS Marching to
Join Supposed Victorious
Comrades Are Greeted By
VoIIey of Bullets and Retire.
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wIrel

ny Morning journal Special Leased wIrel
Aqua Prista, April lS.-(Via Doug
las, Ariz. When darkness fell over
Aqua Prieta tonight it was undeter-
mined whether Lieutenant Colonel
Diaz federal troops would retain un-
disputed possession of the city or
whether rebel reinforeements, APP
pearing suddenly from the westward
this afternoon, would precipitate an
other battle. Watchers were sur
prised. after a day of quietude. to
see column of troops move out of
the mountain passes twelve miles to
the west of Aqua Prieta, and debouch
upon the plains In front of the city.
1t was at first uncertain whether this
was a new rebel force or federal re-
Inducements coming from Cananea.
The doubt was soon dispelled. The
column began its march directly to-
ward the city. The men were mount
ed and were riding rapidly. Soon
1t was made out with the aid OF
glasses that those approaching were
insurrectos.
AS they approached the outer
breastworks of the city the federal
outposts opened fire on them at long
range, which fell short. The column
halted. seemingly taken by surprise
Apparently the approaching rebels
were unaware of the actual situation
in Aqua Prieta and uncertain whe-
ther the border town was held by
friend or foe. Finally the column
wheeled about and started to return
toward the mountains. Then II
halted again.
As Il stopped this time there APP
peared at the mouth of the mountain
canyon from which the first troop
had emerged a second and longer
column, This second detachment
moved slowly across the desert and
joined the first. There ware ap-
parently more than 500 men in the
coIrhined columns.
~. .NSs,vs who eeibe ipta Aqua Fri,
al, about this fine reported that the
force was that of Juan Cabral. the
noted insurrecto leader of Sonora
who at different times In the last
few weeks has wreaked such havoc
on the federal forces. With him
now. II was reported, was the insurg-
ent command led by Sonora Taa-
nantes, the Mexican Joan of Arc.
A Mexican insurrecto on too'
crossed over the line west of Doug
las and surrendered to an American
citizen. He said he was a member
of Cabral's band advancing from the
west. He said Cabral had nc
knowledge that the federals had tax
en- Aqua Prieta and was moving for'
ward expecting to join the rebel gar
rison when first fired upon. rms
rebels horse was shot from under
him while he was scouting far in ad-
vance and he escaped on foot through
the brush to the American side.
The federal forces in Aqua Prieta
at first took small notice of the col
umn which appeared in the offing
Their unsaddled horses were tethereo
in the bun pen.
Tho column to the westward re-
sumcd It's march and continued on
line parallel with the city, but evi-
IDENTIFY with no intention Of approach
ing near enough to offer battle, al
least by night.
When darkness fell 1t was impossi'
BILE to make out whether the moving
rebel column would come in eontac'
with the federal garrison or not. The
commanders of the government
troops in Aqua Prieta issued strlc'
orders that no one should cross the
line. and when questioned as &c
whether the troops would go out anc
engage the rebel command declined
to answer.
Late this evening the federals
brought into the bull ring at Aqua
Prieta twenty-five federals wounded
in Yesterdays battle. 1t was AN
nounced by the national commanders
that they would not bring then
wounded over the American line tf
| be cared for by the Red Cross. but
would care for them themselves III
official reports given out by Colone
Diaz the total dead and injured N
yesterdays battle, rebel and federal
was said to be about fifty, but II II
believed this figure is much too low
From daylight this morning moth
ing was seen Of the rebel troops
which vanished last night from Agua
Prieta. They voluntarily gave vi
the city and fled precipitately fol
lowing the exhaustion of their supply
of ammunition in yesterdays all-daS
battle. A portion of the command
was dlsorganized completely and seat
tered in all directions. The greater
part. however, moved away In consld'
erable disorder with the promise
shouted across the line to the Amerl'
can sentries. that they would be pacN
| I'm a Few days to fight II out.
The government troops moved int'
| the abandoned city with the tirs
streak of dawn and took possession
Their maneuvers, designed TO draw
/ fire of the rebelf, tended much to eN'
haust the latter's supply of ammuni
ton and to decide the contest.
/ The ports Of Aqua Prieta an'
and Douglas were again formally de
clared open today with the reoccupa
tion of Aqua Prieta by the fedora
forces. No deaths among the
wounded in the hospitals at Dougla'
were reported during the day.
!