The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-18
REBELS AEpUlsE RURllES.
HANDFUL OF MEXICAN INsUR.
RECrOs PUT UP sPLENDT"
FIGHT.
Well Armed Insurrectos Pour I'm Vol
ley After volley ON Charging Pur-
surers.

than zoo mon were killed in a desper-
ate battle between the Mexican fed
eral soldiers and small party of
revolutionlsts on the bank OF the Rio
GrsEde. opposite this point, yester-
day. The insurgents had only IS men
and for three hours they held at bay
20 rurales and 20 infantry soldiers.
When darkness ended the battle the
insurrectos held the field and the fed
eral troops had withdrawn a couple
of miles and camped. The revolution
lists left couple OF hours later for
their mountain headquarters, so
miles away carrying their wounds
or the is insurgents. two were killed
and seven wounded.
II. Sorrilli. an Associated Press cor
respondent with the insurgents, re-
ceived a slight wound In the thigh.
The determined stand Of the hand
fui OF Insurgents has not been equaled
In border warfare. Twice rurales
charged the insurgents position, once
coming within so yards. but each time
they were repulsed. The correspond
ent counted rs soldiers that were car
ried from tae field during the battle.
The insm recto band originally
numbered 40 and had been for several
days riding through the country gath
ering up horses.
For two days a party of 20 rurales
had chased the band and on the night
Of January 10 the party went to the
river to water their jaded horses and
rest. thinking they had eluded the
government forces.
The next morning 20 OF the band
started for ranch about IL miles
away to get more horses.
The camp OF the insurrectos was
discovered and a company of 20 in
fantrymen was mounted and sent to
the support OF the squad OF ruraies.
When they approached the camp OF
the insurrectos preparations were
made to give them hot reception.
Two OF the rebels were set at work
packing extra ammunition and rifles
on mule-back.
The is insurrectos. armed with
Remingtons. took possession I'm a line
dawn across the trail OF the advanc-
ing soldiers. The firing commenced at
distance OF about 500 yards. The
insurgents poured a volley into the
enemy and three soldiers fell. The
soldiers returned the fire and the bat
4 was On.
After half an hours continu ID
lighting the federals received rein
forcements from their man body and
n charge was made on the insurrectos.
As they advanced the defenders of the
pass sent a storm OF bullets into their
ranks, firing coolly and making every
slot count The federais advanced a
short distance apd then returned to
their original position.
The firing continued and one by
one the Dand of insurrectos dropped
from the ranks. either dead or wound
ed aEtil o1ly nine men remained
working their guns. Again the SOL
S.srs charged, this time approaching
within sc yards Of the gully, where
the lnsurrectos were concealed. Not
a man gave away. but continued fling
deliberately until the soldiers again
retreated. Both In the charges and
retreats the ruralers kept their line In
good order. and showed no panic.
The steady hye and good aim OF the
insurrectos was more than the SOL
diers could stand and they shrank
from closing for a final assault.
The battle started at 4.20 o'clock
and continued steadily until 1880. AS
darkness approached the 90 insur-
rectos who had been sent for horses
appeared on nelghboring hill. ap-
preaching at gallop. The bugles OF
+ the soldiers blew a retreat. They fell
hack about mile. where they took a
stronger position In shallow can
yon. and the field was left to the in
surrectos.
The insurrectos buried their dead,
cared for the wounded. packed their
equipment and two hours later started
across country for Ei Burro. the
mountains where they have establish
ed their stronghold.