The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-04
FEDERAL TROOPS
 DEFEAT REBELS A Big Battle Is Expected
 Today FEDERALS ARE STRONG Rebels Flee But Pursuit Is Impossi- ble on Account of the Rough Country-Armies Are Still
 Near Each Other
FEDERALS ARE STRONG

Jiminez, Mex, April 3.--Troops of President Madero gained their first vic- tory in the northern campaign today when they defeated the liberal general, Campaat Parral, and sent him scurry- ing back to the base at this city.
 Instead of finding a handful of de- lenders at Parral, under Gen. Pancno Villa, he was met by -eadly fire from a force which he estimated at 20o0 under the command oe Generals Nilla Tellez, unbfna and Ssto
 Campa opened the fight at dawn yes terday. firing at long range with his artillery Attempting to press closer he was met by whitening fire and re- treated. having lost three killed and 12 wounded. according to his own re- port today He lost one of his big guns
 The presence of the federals in force at Parral and the fact that another government force is approaching Es- calon seem to indicate that the rebels must abandon their campaign against Torreon and defend themselves in a decisive battle in the neighborhood of Jiminez.
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 The government troops apparently have been strongly reinforced and re- organized. They seen. determined 60 retrieve their recent defeat and press the fighting. General Pascual Orozco now faces an enemy on his flank at Parral and another coming from the south, presumably under General Huer- ta, who, with 2000 men, was hurried north from the City of Mexico week ago, but too late to avert defeat at tha. time. Campa left here Monday with 800 men and m~. no opposition until in front of Parral He was al- lowed to take a seemingly adVanta- geous position without opposition. No sooner had he posted his men, how ever. than he discovered in rain of bullets and shells that the federals were concealed on a commanding hill, known as La Prieta.
 The federals gave chase when Campa retreated. The latter left a rear guard of 400 under Major Quevado to check and harass the federals and to cover his re- treat As the country is rugged and mountainous, with deep arroyos, in which much larger forces might conceal themselves Quevado was able 10 retard the pursuers, while Campa returned to the base
 Meets Fleeing Army 
 Quevado had been sent originally to reinforce Campa, but had only reached Baca, 20 miles from Parral. when he came upon his fleeing comrades in arms.
 As the government troops south or Escalon are less of an immediate danger, General Orozco intends to center his at tack on Parral Baca will serve as the new base for this cafnpaign General Fernandez reached Baea last night, re- lieving Major Quevado of a responsible ity to which his small force seemed un- equal. and consolidating the two columns General Salazar and 500 men entrained for the same destination today.
 The federal main force is reported on their front and a decisive engagement is looked for tomorrow.
 General Salazar will be in supreme com- mand of the rebels. The country is mountainous and 1t may take several days to decide the battle.
 Ce. eral Salazar made slow progress to- day, as he stopped to repair the telegraph wires. General Campa, in his haste tc attack, neglected to do this, and when defeated was unable to communicate with his base. The repair work, however, will not prevent General Salazar from be- ing present when the fight begins.