The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-04
R { BEL SOLDIERS
SENT SCURRy|NG
Meet Whitening Fire Where
They Expected to Find
Easy Victory,
FEDERAL TROOPS GIVE CHASE
Decisive Battle May BE Fought
in Mountains Near Baca
To-Day.

Limines, Mexico, April a-Tho
troops OF President Madcro gained
their first victory in the Northern
campaign, when they defeated the
Liberal general. Campo al Parral and
sen, HIM scurryinG back TO the chase
! at this city.
| Instead OF finding "a haudful of de-
tenders at Parrai under Gecnrnl Pan
cho villa, he was met by deadly fire
| from force which he estimated Mt
2,0oc under thee command of Gen
erals villa, Tellez, unbina and Soto.
Campo opened the fight at dawn
Yesterday. firing At long range with
his artillery. Attempting to press
closer, he was met BY a witherinG
/ killed and twelve wounded. accord
Ing to his own report to-day. He also
lost one OF his big guns.
The presence of the Fcderals in
force al Parral and the fact that an
other government force Is approach
ing Escalon. seems TO indicate that
the rebels must abandon their cam
paign against Torrcon and defend
themselves in decisive battle in the
neighborhood of .Iimncz.
The government troops apparently
have bcecn strongly reinforced and
reorganizcd They seem determined to
retrieve their recent defeat and press
the lighting. General Pascual Orozco
now faces an cneeny on his flank at
Parrai and another coming from the
South, presumably under General
Iluerta. who with 1000 men, was hur-
F, ried North from the city of Mexico
a week ago. but too late to avert de-
! feat at that time.
| Campo left hero Monday with 500
men and met no opposition until in
front of Parral. He was allowed to
take seemingly advantageous po-
sit'on without opposition. No sooner
had he posted his men. however, than
he discovered in rain of bullets and
! she'll that the Fcdernls were conceal
cd on g commanding hill Known as
La Priota.
The Federais Eavc chase when
Campo retreated. The latter loft
rear guard OF 800, under Major
Qucvado. to check and hnrass the
! Fedcruis and to cover his retreat.
AS the country is ragged and noun
famous. with deep urroyos. in which
much larger forces might conceal
themselves, QucVado was able to re-
tard his pursuers. while Campa re-
turned to his base.
Quevado had been sent originally
! to reinforce Campo, but had only
reached Baca. twenty miles from Par
raj, when he came upon his dying
. comradc in-arms.
AS the government troops south OF
Escalon are less OF an immediate dan
Ecr. General Orozco intends to centre
his attack on Parral, Baca will serve
as the new base for this campaign.
General Fernandez reached Baca
last night relieving Major Quevado
OF a responsibility to which his
small force seemed unequal. and CON
solidnting the two columns. General
Sala2ar's 600 men cntrained Tor the
same destination to-day.
The Fcdcrals main force Is report
cd on their front and "A decisive en-
Eagcmcnt is looked for tomorrow.
Salazar VIII be in supreme command
of the rebels The country is noun
ia nous and it may take several days
to decide the battle.
General Salazur made slow progress
TO day, as he stopped to repair the
telegraph wires. General Campo. in
his haste TO attack. neglected 10 do
this. and when defeated was unable
to communicate with his base. The
repair work. however. Will not pre-
vent General Salazar from being pres
ent when the fight begins.