The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-07
MEXICANS FIGHT F|ERCELY.
MATAMORAS CAPTURED BY REH.
ELL FORCES AFTER ALL DAY
BATTLE.
Death List Large on Both Sides -
United States Soldiers Hit by Stray
Builets-MeXican Official Killed.

Brownsville, Texas, June 3.-While
handful of men were still Offering
dOgged resistance to the rebel troops
Of Gen. LuciO Blanco, constitutions
allst commander chief of the State
OF Tamaulipas, at 10 o'clock tonight,
MatalnOras, Mexico, is practically in
the hands Of the revolutionists after
battle waged without interruption
since 1890 this morning. Col Es-
chasereta,, with 100 volunteers, rem
nants of the federal garrison, is max
ing the last stand from the roof OF
the cathedral and theatre in Hidala
plaza, but their subiection before
morning is regarded as certain. Early
in the night flames from burning
buildings in several sections of the
battle SCARED city lighted the sky for
miles around and for q time it was
feared that the town was doomed.
AT 10 o'clock, however the fire Zones
had decreased.
The toll of death on both sides has
been heavy. Maj. Estadan Ramos.
federal commander, was wounded
early i'm the engagement. He was
brought to Brownsville hospital
His condition is reported critical
Private f. Davis of the United
States cavalry was wounded by a
stray shot while patrolling the bor-
der on the American side Of the Rio
Grande, and rumors are persistent
that Miguel Barragan, mayor Of Mat
amoras, was shot and killed late
today. Authentic estimates Of the
dead and wounded will not be avail,
able before tomorrow. One report
brought by refugees was that between
200 and 300 of the combatants had
been killed and double that number
wounded.
The United States consulate, where
Consul j. II. Johnson and his staff
remained during the fighting, was in
the direct line of fire the greater part
Of the day, but it is stated that none
of those in the building have been
wounded.
one hundred and twelve of the
federal troops crossed to Brownsville
this afternoon and surrendered to
the United States military authori-
ties.
Shortly after 10 o'clock tonight fir
ing decreased but the rebels contin-
ued TO hurl dynamite at intervals in
an effort to dislodge Escarreta and his
force
The rebels began a general advance
towards the main part Of Matamoras
at $50 this afternoon. Within an
hour they had taken the customs Of
lice at the terminus of the interna-
tional bridge and almost simultane-
ouSly the customs house at the ferry
connecting Brownsville and Santa
Cruz suburb Of Matamoras. Af-
ter that the fight was gradually mar
rowed to Hidala plaza.
Among the buildings burned, set
afire by rebel shells, were II dwell
ing houses on the plaza De Aramas,
including the home of Mayor Barran-
gan.
1t was estimated that Blanco's
army numbered about 1900 men.
while the federal garrison was com
posed of less than third of that
number.
Several thousand spectators viewed
the battle from the United States
side of the Rio Grande but wer.
kept at what was regarded a safe dis
tance from the boundary by the sol
diers of Troop Nj. Fourteenth cavalry
who patrolled the border for a dis
tance of six miles. An automobile
bearing party Of sightSecrS was
struck by bullet and put out of com
mission but none of the occupants
We're hurt