The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-01-14
REBELS SCARED
Hantful Of Brave Mexican |nsurrectos
Put Up Spleodd Fight.

tut up ople0ala rlsnt.
! REPULSE THE RURALES
Over Twenty Men Were Killed ON
Both Sides-Wen. Armed Insurrec-
tos Pour in Volley After Volley on
Charging Pursuers - Fought
Against Heavy Odds and Won.
More than 20 men were killed IL
a desperate battle between the Mexl-
can federal soldiers and sma;: par
ty Of revolutionists on the bank OF
the Rio Grande, opposite Comstock,
Texas, Thursday. The insurgents
had only 18 men and for three hours
they held at bay 10 rurales and
70 infantry soldiers. When dark
ness ended the battle the insurrectos
| held the field and the federal troops
had withdrawn a couple of miles and
camped. The revolutionists left
couple of hours later for their noun
! tain headquarters, so miles away,
carrying their wounded. OF the l 8
insurgents, two were killed and
seven wounded.
E. Sorrill, an Associated Press
! correspondent with the insurgents,
received a slight wound in the thigh.
The determined stand of the hand
full Of insurgents has not been equal
ed in border warfare. Twice rurales
charged the insurgents position,
once coming within so yards, but
each time they were repulsed.H The
correspondent counted is soldiers
that were carried from the field dur
ing the battle.
The insurrecto band originally
numbered 40 and had been for sew
eral days riding through the coun-
try gathering up horses.
For two days party of 70 ru-
rales 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 II miles
away to get more horses.
The camp Of the insurrectos was
discovered and a company Of 70 in
fantrymen was mounted and sent to
the support OF the squad Of rurales.
When they approached the camp OF
the insurrectos preparations were
made to give them a hot reception.
Two of the rebels were set at work
hacking extra ammunition and rifles
on mule-back.
The 1S insurrectos, armed with
Remingtons, took possession in a line
drawn across the trail of the ad-
vancing soldiers. The firing conf
menced at a distance of about 800
yards. The insurgents poured vol
ley into the enemy and three soldiers
fell. The soldiers returned the fire
and the battle was on.
After half an hours continuance
fighting the federals received rein
| forcements from their main body and
charge was made on the insurrec-
/ tos. AS they advanced the defend
ers of the pass sent storm Of bull
lets into their ranks, firing cody and
. making every shot count. The fed
erals advanced short distance and
then returned to their original posi-
ton.
The firing continued and one by
one the band Of insurrectos dropped
from the ranks, either dead or
wounded until only nine men re-
manned working their guns. Again
the soldiers charged, this time ap-
preaching within so yards of the gull
ley, where the insurrectos were con-
cealed. Not man gave way, but
continued firing deliberately until
the soldiers again retreatcd. Both in
the charges and retreats the ruraIes
kept their line in good order and
showed no panic.
The steady fire and good aim OF
the insurrectos was more than the
soldiers could stand and they shrank
from closing foi. final assault.
The battle started at 4:20 O'clock
anG continued steadily until ':30.
AS darkness approached the 20 in
surrectos who had been sent for
horses appeared on neighborins
hill. approaching" ut a gallop. The
bu?les Of the soldiers blew 4 retreat.
They fell back about mile. where
they took 4 stronger position in
shallow canyon and the field was left
to the insurrectos.
The insurrectos buried their dead,
cared for the wounded. packed their
equipment and two hours later start
cd across the country for FL Burro,
the mountain where they have estab-
lished their stror Thold.
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