The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-19
Rebels Forced to Evacuate Agua Prieta Because Am
 MunitiOn Gave Out
FEDERAL FORCES
 NOW OCCUPY CITY
The Rebels Quickly Withdrew During Night and Said They Would Re- new Battle-Retired to
 the Mountains

over Agua Prieta tonight 1t was unde- termined whether the federal troops of Lieutenant Colonel Diaz would retain ur- disputed possession of the city or wheth- CT rebal endorsements, appearing sur Aenly from the westward this afternoon, would precipitate another battle.
 watchers were surprised after day of quietude to see column of troops move out of the mountain passes 12 miles to the west of Agua Preta and debouch upon the plains in front of the city. It was at first uncertain whether this was new rebel force or federal reinforce ments coming from Cananea.
 The doubt was soon dfspelled. The column began its march directly toward the city. The men were mounted and were riding rapidly. Soon 1t was made out, with the aid of glasses, that the approaching force was insurrectos.
 As they approached the outer breast works of the city the federal outposts opened long range rifle fire which fell short The column halted, seemingly taken by surprise. Apparently the ap- preaching rebels were unaware of the actual situation in Agua Prieta and were uncertain whether the border town was held by friend or foe. Finally the col umn wheeled about and started to return toward the mountains. Then 1t halted again.
 Second Column Appears
 As 1t stopped this time there appeared at the mouth of the mountain canyon, from which the first troops had emerged, a second and longer column. This second detachment moved slowly across the desert and joined the first.
 There were apparently more than 800 men in the combined columns.
 Cowboys who came into Agua Prieta about this time reported that the force was that of Juan Cabral, the noted in- surrecto leader of Sonora, whc at dif- ferent times in the last few weeks, has wrecked much havoc on the federal forces With him TOW. it was reported, was the insurgent command led by Se- noro Talamontes the Mexican Joan of Arc.'
 A Mexican insurrecto on foot crossed over the line west of Douglas and sur rendered to an American citizen. He said he was a member of Cabrars band advancing from the west. He said Ca- bral had no knowledge that the federals had taken Agua Prieta, and were nov ing forward. expecting to join the rebel garrison when first fired upon. This rebels horse was shot from under him while he was scouting in advance and he escaped on foot through the brush to the American side
 The federal foreces in Agua Prieta at first took small notice of the column which appeared in the offng. Their un- eaddled horses were tethered in the bull pen.
 No Battle Before Night
 The column to the westward resumed the march and continued on line paral- Tel with the city. but evidently with no intention of approaching near enough to offer battle at least before night.
 When darkness fell it was impossible to make out whether the moving rebel column would come in contact with the federal garrison. The commanders of the government troops in Agua Preta issued strict orders that no one should cross the line and questioned as to whether the troops would go out and engage the rebel command were unanswered
 Late this evening the federals brought into the bull ring at Agua Prieta 25 federals wounded in yesterdays battle
 In official reports given out by Colonel Diaz. the total dead and injured in yes- terday's battle, rebel and federal was said to be about 50, but it is believed this figure Is far too low
 From daylight this morning nothing was seen of the rebel troops who van ished last night from Agua Prieta. The greater part moved away in order, with the promise, shouted across the line, to the American sentries, that they would be back in few days to fight it out
 The ports of Agua Prieta and Douglas again were formally declared open to- day with the re-occupation of Agua Prieta by the federals. No deaths among the wounded in the hospitals in Douglas were reported during the day.
 Rebels Evacuate
 The rebel army, after almost IS hours of incessant fighting yesterday in de- fense of Agua Prieta, quietly evacuated the town during the night. It moved silently and when day broke was mo- where to be seen. The Mexican national troops entered the city at dawn, en- countering no resistance.
 The federals approached the town from the south and east during the early hours. coming in slowly and eau : tiously lest they encounter an ambush. Great was the surprise of the com maiders of the government troops on finding when they reached the outer works of the rebel entrenchments that they had been abandoned and no in- surrectos were in sight The federals continued to come in, still more slowly, presumably expecting at every mo- ment to, encounter a surprise, but they found no rebels anywhere. The latter nad VanlSne0 as cOmpietely as the night. There was no indication even of the direction they had taken.
 The reason for their evacuation of the city after their a1l-day defense of 1t was not at first apparent.
 The most logical conclusion seems to be that they exhausted their ammuni- tion.
 Later developments showed the rebel armysto be badly disrutped. It's lead CTS gave up the fight and the men in the ranks appear to have fled in direc- tions of their own individual choosing. Colonel Medina, who had assumed command of the rebels in Agua Prieta last night, made his way to the Amer lean line before dawn and surrendered to the United States troops He was the mayor of the town. He was tm- mediately placed under guard and held l at the headquarters of the American cavalry at the ball park.
 The victorious federal force which occupied the town this morning num- bered about 1900 men. Lieutenant Colonel Reynaldo Diaz was In supreme command Under him were Major Luis Medina Barron of the rurales, and 
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