The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-13
Ten Thousand NJ 4 Are
Engaged in Desper-
ate Battle.
DESERT PLAINS
STREWN WITH DEAD
Orozco Is in Retreat With His
Shattered Force, but Is Likely
to Make Final Stand at Es-
calon-His Annihila-
ton Is Pre-
dicted.

At the Federal Front. Conejos. Mex
leo, May 12.--Twelye nours of brisk
lighting on the desert plains 800 miles
south of the American border between
a force of 5000 rebels. under General
orozco, and an equally strong body of
Federals. under General Huerta. re-
suited to-day in Il decided advantage
to the government.
The nghting began at daybreak, anu
at nightfan the sandy mesas between
here and lcrmo. fourteen flies north,
where the insurrectos wcre gradually
forced back. were covered with dead
ana wounded.
about 800 are believed to have been
Killed and wounded on both sides. y
courier reported that General Irucy
e. had been snot III thc leg.
The rebels abandoned ten cannon and
inucn ammunition in th=ir retreat.
General joaquin Tclie4, wno hao
been Stationed IN the rear of Huerta 5
the eastward 10 flank the reDels and
cut OF their retreat. 10 night Fedora,
headquarters claim the rebels are
completely surrounded. and that the
second day OF nghtnS Will prove
equally decisive.
This town. only yesterday occupied
by the vanguard OF me rebels. was
rIddled with bullets when the t'ederals
gailoped into 1t at sunset. over the
loothl!Is To the north the insurrcctos
could be seen retreating.
General Huerta mas been receivins
many .teIes rams of congratulations OH
the outcome or the oay's lighting.
Should the advantage gained to-day
be followed by equal success tomor-
row. the Federal leaders are confident
1t viii mean the annihilation OF the
i;isurrocto army.
General Huerta considers ii proba bie'
however. that the rebels VIII make
their last stand at Escdlon. their CEN
trail base, fourteen miles to the north.
where they have built fortihcations
and trenches in the lass fortnight
1t was the steady artillery lire OF
the government troops that dislodsed
the enemy. The aim OF the Federal
gunners was true. They began TO
shall the rebel positions at daybreak.
For i time the !nsurrectos nred in
volleys, and seven Federal officers
were wounded. only few hours
however they withstood the cannon
aiding and soon began to evacuate
rived at nighttall with l,5oo men in
the valley behind Conejos where the
vanguard of rebels gathered. 1t
seems likely that unless the rebels
continue to fight desperately many
prisoners will be taken tomorrow.
AS they retreated the rebels de-
stroyed several bridges. but the
Federals were equipped with pontoons
and will not be seriously affected
Enthusiasm in the Federal camp is
intense. Word reached here that
Torreon is celebrating the victory
with street parades and music
More than twenty Federal cannon
were in action at once. The enemy
was entrenched in the hills in a line
fifteen miles long. The Federal fire
was directed SO that every shell hit,
vulnerable spot. After the frs,
few shots the commander of the
Federal guns. Lieutenant Colonel
Rubio Navarrette. located immediate
~ the position of the enemy. Soon he
silenced and wrecked their artillery,
all of which fell into the hands OF
government troops.
Most OF the shells of the enemy
exploded about 600 feet In front of