The Topeka state journal., 1911-04-17
Mexican Forces Make Fierce At
tack O$ Aqua Prieta.
RepuIsed by Lopez After a Four
Hour Engagement.
Used MACHINE GUNS.
These Are Disabled by Fire OF
the Insurgents.
Losses on Federal Side Reported
Heavy.
Hail of Bullets Fall on American
Soil.
USED MACHINE GUNS.

aqua HT1clds SOhOAd ENPhh
(From the Associated Press corre-
spondent in the field.) The first at
tempt of the Mexican federal troops
to retake the port of Aqua Prleta
from tile rebels resulted today in rail-
ure and the repuIse of the Nationals
The battle opened at $50 O'Clock and
ragged until 1920, the fcderals cross
ing the open country and assaultlnS
the rebel trenches. The federals used
machine guns, but they were repeat
edIv siIenced by the fire of the rebel
sharpshonters. who directed their aim
at the soldiers manning these guns.
The losses to the rebels were slight,
but il is believed the federals suffered
severely.
Bullets crossed tie American bOun-
Diary line and fell in a Veritable hail
in sections of Douglas, Ariz. At least
one American was hit.
The rebels, after repulsing the fed
eraI attack, began the erection of new
entertainments They are expecting
reinfoFcements.
More than 1,5OO federaIs under
Lieutenant Colonel Diaz were pitted
against the rebel garrison at Aqua
Prieta of 1000.
The fighting was renewed at IL
O'Clock.
Douglas, Ariz., April 1.-THE long
expected attack of the Mexican federal
troops on Aqua Prieta opened in dead
ly earnest at $50 today. The firing was
fast and furious on both sides. The
rattle of musketry was continuous.
The hail of bullets from the federal
machine guns fell far within the con-
fines of the city of Douglas.
It was evident from the very outset
that the battle was to be a decisive
one. Both sides exhibited desperate
courage. The federals began by mass
ing themselves to the southeast of the
town and moved slowly within rifle
range of the rebel position.
The insurrectos facing in three direc-
tions, lay low in the trenches or fiat on
the open ground. The federals fire
raked over them and into both Aqua
Prieta and Douglas.
1t was evident from the heavy fir
ing that the casualties on both sides
were destined to be very heavy
Bullets Fall in United States.
The steel and leaden missiles from
the federal guns carried far over the
international line and plowed their way
into the adobe buildings facing along
Second and Third streets and dug up
the ground here and there over the
whole southern end of the city
The federals' in moving in, had ad-
Vanced from the camp which they es-
tabhshed yesterday at Sulphur Springs,
a water hole five miles south of Aqua
Prieta. They marched slowly to a
point southeast of Aqua Prieta with
the intention OF gaining the border in
order to attack the rebel position along
the international border but before
they were able to gain this coveted DO
sltlon they encountered the rebel cav
airy which had galloped out to inter-
cept them and there was rattle from
tne repeating rifles as the two advanc-
ed forces came into firing range. The
cavalry dropped back slowly and the
federals next came within range of
the deep entrenchments thrown IN nv
the rebels during Sunday and last night
winch were filled with insurgent sharp
shooters.
People Seek Shelter.
Most of the residents of Douglas
remained within doors or sought
other places of safety. Some attennt-
ed TO gain vantage points from which
to view the field of battle. Notwith-
standing the strict orders of the
american troops many rushed to the
nne IN order to get a view of the
hghting. They We're here exposed to
the most imminent danger.
With the firing of the first sbot
Colonel Skunk ordered ont ALI +be
american cavalry available i'm Doug
las. They were rushed quickly TO the
border and took up positions along
the line. Many of these men yvere
exposed to the fire of the Mexicen
troops though there were no casualties
among them during the early part of
the battle. Company G.. of the Ari-
zona National guard was also ordered
out ana LOOK up position at the
armory to await further order There
were four troops of cavalry and one
of militia in Douglas. -'e
This was considered an aronla fo,oo
to protect the American line Win
the first calling fire from the rebel
entrenchments the federals were seen
TO WaVer MON entarily but the r,o,-a
ment was quickly checked For f,,11,-
10 minutes the two armies held tbeiy.
positions while the deadly fring 90.
tinued- Thirty minutes after tba
battle opened the rebels were seen 70
abandon their outlying positions and
ran pack to the breastworks toward
Aqua Prieta. The federal advanoo
was slow and in open order VIII ~
most continuous firing. The rabais
with great stubbornness contenda5
every inch of the way.
While the rebel rifemen were fau
ing back to the second row of en-
trenchments they fought boldly in tho
open- They We're seen to sion ar5
take deliberate aim at the advanci,,Cr
national line and fire round afta7
= round.
The backward movement of the