East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-01-13
Deadly Fire of Small Band Of
Insurrectos Drives Back
FederaliSts.
MORE THAN SCORE
KILLED IN CONFLICT
Arrival OF Reinforcements Saves Small
Band of Insurgents from Annihila-
tion-Eighteen Men Hold Nearly
Ten Times Their Number at Bay
for Three Hours.

Comstock, Texas, Jan. 13. More
than 20 men were killed in a desper-
ate battle between the Mexican feder-
alists and a small party Of insurrec-
tos on the bank OF the Rio Grande op-
posite this point yesterday.
The return of 20 insurrectos who
had been out on a raid saved the rest
OF the band and prevented what
probably would have been a massacre
Of those defending the rebel camp
The original party OF insurrectos
numbered 40 men. They had been on
q raid through the country south of
Las Vacas. getting horses and recruits.
For two days 70 rurales had chased
the band and Tuesday night the party
went to the river to water their jaded
horses thinking they had eluded the
government forces.
The next morning. 20 rebels started
for ranch about ~ miles away to
get more horses. The camp of the
insurrectos was discovered and 70
mounted infantrymen were sent to the
support of the rurales. when> they
approached the 20 insurrectos then
there, prepared to give them a hot re-
ception.
Two Of the rebels were set at work
packing extra ammunition and rifles
on mules.
Rebels Accurate.
The IS remaining insurrectos took
position In a line drawn across the
trail Of the advancing soldiers The
firing began at a distance OF about
500 yards, The insurgents poured
volley from their 80 calibre rifles into
the enemy and three soldiers fell. The
soldiers replied with their mauser
carbines and the battle was on.
After half an hour of continuous
fighting, the federals received REIN
forcements from their main body and
a charge was made on the insurrectos.
AS the federals advanced, the defend
ers of the pass sent storm of bullets
into their ranks, firing cody and ac-
curately The federals advanced a
short distance and then returned to
their original position.
The firing continued and one by one
the rebels dropped from the ranks,
either dead or wounded until only
nine men remained working their
guns.
Again the soldiers charged, this
time approaching. within so yards of
the gully where the insurrectos were
concealed. Not a man gave way but
continued firing deliberately until the
soldiers again retreated. Both in
the charges and in retreats, the ru-
rales kept their line in good order and
showed no panic.
The steady fire and good aim Of the
insurrectos were more than the SOL
diers could stand, and they shrank
from closing for final assault
The battle started at 4:20 o'clock
and continued until 1890 As dark
ness approached the 20 insurrectos
who had been sent for horses appear
ed on a neighboring hill at a gallop.
The bugles of tie soldiers blew a re-
treat and the federals fell back about
a mile, where they took stronger
position in a shallow canyon. The field
was left to the insurrectos The IS
rebels had successfully held at bay
nearly ten times their number for
three hours.
Bury the Dead.
The insurrectos buried their dead,
cared for the wounded, packed their
equipment, and two hours later start
ed across the country for Ell Burro
mountain on which they have estab-
lished a stronghold. The report from
Mexican government sources that a
detachment Of insurrectos had crossed
the river and fired on the soldiers
from the American side is denied by
the insurrectos, who say that had they
wished to do so, after the fight start
CONTINUED on page eight.)