The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-18


doorway and into the dust of the bull
ring.
Sitting against the west wall of the
bull ring and heavily guarded by Mex
lean troops, sat a lone American who
had not got away with the retreating
rebel army. His hands were tied with
ropes which passed over his shoulders.
''They are not going to shoot me
are they?" he asked in terrified voice.
He said his name was Thomas Sulli-
van; that he was born in Connecticut;
that he last worked at Cananea, and
that he came to Douglas from Bisbee.
He said that he had crossed the Mex
lean line yesterday been arrested by
the rebels, robbed of a hundred dol
bon on his arm and had been driven
into the fighting line. He still wore
his scarlet ribbon today.
Clever Military Strategy.
The federal attack on Aqua Prieta
yesterday and last night though it en-
dangered the city of Douglas was
generally credited as an admirable bi.
of military strategy and especially
noteworthy was the strategic skill of
the Yaqui Indians who acted as cav
airy. The federal cavalry was en-
ployed to carry the foot soldiers for
ward to the shelter of a ravine, where
the infantrymen dismounted. the
horse and its rider returning to the
ranks for another load. The federal
machine guns protected the position
CT the men occupying this advance
position in the ravine.
In this manner a large body of
troops was quickly got under the shell
ter of a knoll which protected it from
the rebel fire from the bull ring. Oc-
cupying this position at night it was
ready to rush the town at dawn
n1 faD ar,I ATn1 Do - ! H.
federal troops were engaged early to-
day in gathering up the discarded
arms of the rebels and bringing in
the insurrecto dead Five bodies were
brought from the rebel trenches.
Three of these were Americans. No
wounded men were found.
American Consul Dye made a sec
ond visit to Aqua Prieta and made a
demand for a conference between
American officials and the federal
commanders to arrange for throwing
open all the ports of entry.
Why Ammunition Was Short.
One explanation of the shortage Of
ammunition that finally rendered fu-
tile the rebels gallant defense of Aqua
Prieta. is found in the frequent seiz-
ures by American officers and customs
officers of supplies upon which the
rebels evidently were depending. Only
yesterday army officers acting in con-
junction with the secret service con-
fiscated 10000 rounds of cartridges
in Douglas which were destined to
Aqua Prieta. This was a severe blow
to the garrison, and was the direct
cause of the surrender of Comman-
dante Garcia to the American army
officers last night.
When, bfore daylight today, the ma
t1onal troops who were within close
shooting range again opened their rifle
fire the franOIaS- II,
the rebels defending the fort and the
last row of trenches Immediately south
OF Aqua Prieta, sent a courier to rebel
headquarters in the town stating that
they were. out of ammunition and
! could not hold back the federal ad-
vance if they were not supplied.
I'VE are all out of ammunition and
can not help you" was the word sent
to the front by the rebel commander.
At this juncture the horses of the
rebels were ordered to be sadd1ed and
preparations were made to evacuate.
Word to this effect was sent to the
men in the outlying entrenchments.
Short of Provisions.
When the word to retreat came
| these rebels in the advanced positions
feared that they would be cut off from
the main army and many of them
threw down their rifles and ran in any
! direction that promised safety. Only
| this portion of the rebel force was dis
| rupted, Notwithstanding the desertion
of their officers, Colonel Medina and
| Commandante Garcia. The remainder
OF the garrison got away in good order
The rebels were handicapped by a
| lack OF provisions. The international
! llne was so closely guarded by the
american troops that neither ammuni-
tlon nor provisions could be taken
| across.
Federal under officers explained to-
Gay that the machine gun which was
operated to the east of Aqua Prieta
yesterday was apparently abandoned
py them as a ruse, squad of sharp
shooters being in ambush in the
bushes in the expectation that the
rebels would make a dash from theil
trenches to the gun.
Both of the federal machine gun!
We're in the bull ring today with {
plentiful store of ammunition.
The federal army appeared today t.
| pc IN good fighting trip, despite th'
hard campaign and continued march,
ing of the last three weeks.
, Secretary Grindell of the Douglas
Red Cross wired to Secretary Nagel a
Washington today:
Insurgents evacuated Aqua Priet;
during the night. The federals ar,
in charge. Red Cross assistance no
desired Nurses ordered here not re
quired"
At 10 o'clock the American custom
ofhcers declared the port of Dougla
open to entry.
The American Wounded.
Charles Wexler. young American
l nghting with the insurrectos cam
l into Douglas at nigkJfall severel,
wounded in the breast. He was takel
2 to the Red Cross hospital
Wexler's home is in Brooklyn. H
? said there were no wounded in Agui
Prieta, all the injured having aIread,
been brought to the American side.