The Sentinel=record., 1912-04-04
BIG BATTLE
 IS IMMINENT
MEXICAN FEDERALs AND REs- ELS UNITE IN FORCE NEAR
 PARRAL AND JlMlNEZ.
Battle of Main Armies Is Expected Soon-Rebeis Lose First Encoun- ter of What Is Believed to
 Be Deciding Struggle.

Jiminez, Mexico April 3-Troops of President Madero gained their first victory in the northern campaign when they defeated the liberal gen eral, Calnpa, at Parral, and sent him scurrying back to the base at this city.
 Instead of finding a handful of de- lenders at Parral under General Pancho Villa, he was met by deadly fire from force which he estimated at 1000, under the command of Gen erals Villa, Tellez, Unbina and Soto.
 Campa opened the fight at dawn yesterday, firing at long range with his artillery Attempting to press closer, he was met by a whitening fire, and retreated, having lost three killed and r. wounded, according to his own report today. He lost one of his big guns.
 The presence of the federals in force at Parral and the fact that an other government force is approach ing Escalon. seem to indicate that the rebels must abandon their cam paign against Torreon and defend themselves in 9 decisive battle in the Heisf165Thood of jiminez
 The government troops apparently have been strongly reinforced and reorganized. They seem determined to retrieve their recent defeat and press the fighting. General PascuaI OTozco now faces an enemy on his flank at Parral, and another coming from the south, presumably under General Huerta who, with 1000 men. was hurried north from the City of Mexico a week ago, but too late to avert defeat at that time of Campa, left here Monday with 500 men and met no opposition until in front of Parral. He was allowed to take a seemingly advantageous position with out opposition. No sooner mad he posted his men, however, than he dis. covered in a rain of bullets and shells. that the federals were conceal ed on a commanding hin known as La Prieta
 The federals gave chase when Cam pa retreated The latter left a rear guard of 400 under Major Quevado. to check and harass the federals and to cover his retreat. As the country is rugged and mountainous, with deep arroyos. in which much larger forces might conceal themselves, Queyedo was unable to retard the pursuers while Campa returned to the base.
 Quevado had been sent originally to reinforce Campa. but had only reached Baca. 20 miles from Parral, when he came upon his fleeing com rade in arms.
 As the government troops south of Escalon are less of an immediate danger, General Orozco intends to center his attack on PaEral Baca will serve as a new base for this campaign. General Fernandez reach ed Baca last night, relieving Major Quevedo of a responsibility to which his small force seemed unequal and consolidating the two columns. Gen eral Salazar and 600 men entrained for the same destination today.
 The federal main force is reported on their front and a decisive engage ment is looked for tomorrow
 General Salazar will be in supreme command Of the rebels The coun- try is mountainous and it may take several days to decide the battle
 General Salazar made slow progress today, as he stopped to repair the telegraph wires General Campa, in his haste to attack, neglected to 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.