The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-04-20
'DIAz men REFUSED
AS BULLETS WHISTLE
over AMERICAN line
Leaden Missiles From Battle
Drop Into the Streets Of
Douglas, Ariz., In
Profusion.

Washington, April 13.--In view OF
the acute situation aiorg the bor-
der, the state department today
asked asked the Msx,san gov government Tor tor
formal reply to the Representations
of the United States, that the
DougIas incident would not be re-
peated. The department also re-
questcd information as to what
preventive measures had been
taken.
Douglas, Ariz., April 17.-Mex-
lean regulars made a desperate
assault today in an effort to re-
capture Aqua Prieta, just across
the international boundary line.
Their attempts were repulsed, and
after four hours of fighting the
rebels held every position they
had occupied at the beginning of
the battle. The loss Of life is be-
lieved to have been great.
Bullets from the contending
forces fell with uncomfortable
frequency into the streets Of
Douglas, across the international
boundary line. At least one
American watching the battle
from the territory Of his own
country was wounded. The fed
eral forces, whose bullets it's was
principally fell in American ter
ritory, seemed indifferent as to
where their bullets struck.
The battle began at $3.50 0 clock
this morning, and continued with
out interruption until 1870. Then
there was a lull Of half an hour,
when the struggle was resumed.
It was evident from the beginning
that the battle was to be a de-
cisive one, and that the casualties
on both sides would be heavy.
American Cavalry Ready.
With the firing of the first shot,
Colonel Skunk ordered out all the
American cavalry available in Douglas.
They were rushed quickly to the border
and took up positions along the line.
Many of these men were exposed to
-
there were no casualties among them
during the early part of the battle.
Company G, Of the Arizona National
Guard was also ordered out and took
up position at the armory to await
further orders. There were four troops
o. cavalry and one of militia in Doug
las This was considered an ample
force to adequately protect the Ameri-
can line.
With the first Calling fire from the
rebel entertainments the federals were
seen TO waver momentarily. but the
movement was quickly checked. For
fully 15 minutes the two armies held
their respective positions while the
deadly fire continued. Thirty minutes
after the battle opened the rebels were
seen to abandon their outlying positions
and fall back to the breastworks to-
ward Aqua Prieta. The federal adj
vance was slow and in open order with
almost continuous firing. The rebels
with great stubbornness contended
every inch Of way.
Bravery Of the Rebels.
While the rebel riflemen were falling
back to the second row Of entrench-
ments they fought boldly in the open.
They were seen to stop and take de-
liberate aim at the advancing national
line and fire round after round.
The backward movement OF the reb-
els toward Aqua Prieta, however, was
steady. Many had fallen on both sides.
At Z o'clock an automobile carrying
United States Marshal Overlook. Unit
ed States Secret Service Agent Thomp-
son and the Associated Press cores
pondent, passed through the guard line
on the American side to the interna-
tionai line. The hail OF bullets at this
moment drove the party to the shelter
Of the American customs house, but
this building also was in direct line
with the heavy firing from the south
east.
Others dug up the ground on all sides
and there was a continuous whiz of
the !eaden missiles overhead. 1t was
considered too dangerous position and
the observing party retired across the
line to Fourth street.
Pick of ArtilIeryn,en.
Suddenly for some unexplained reason
the federal machine guns were silenced.
The rifle fire. however, kept up with
out intermission. 1t was apparent that
the rebel sharp shooters were concen-
trating their fire on the machine gun
operators and were slowly picking them
Off. Time and again the guns appeared
to be unnamed.
AT 7:45, however, an hour and a
quarter after the battle opened, the
machine guns were again I'm action and
We're raking the rebel position on two
sides. The, Red ( Cross volunteers
crossed the border and went upon the
field at this hour. DR.. Shine, of Bisbee,
was chief surgeon of the volunteers.
Every surgeon in Douglas and many
from Bisbee were being brought to the
line to attend the wounded. Women
and girls express their willingness to
act as nurses. 1t was certain that the
list of killed and wounded would be
very heavy.
Rebels Finely Organized.
Tho rebels showed remarkable organ
hation throughout the battle. Every
point OF vantage was guarded, includ-
Ing the adobe guard houses on the in
ternatiohal line and every trench and
building in the outskirts of Aqua Prieta
had its squad OF men waiting to get
into action.
One bullet passed through the hat of
ali American trooper on the interna-
tional line. United States cavalrymen
were dismounted,. standing beside their
horses. The mounts were finally
moved to sheltered positions behind the