El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-26

M sts,s ,a a.'1 were Driven back sS
Tuesday and practically sur
rounded after n p hour battle with
Villas rebel forces at Mesa, 10 miles
south OF Junrez. Tuesday.
seven miles south Of Mesa, with
track torn up in front and In the
rear Of their five trains, the federaIs
are prepared to mike another stand
when the battle is renewed at day
Hight Wednesday.
REBELS ATTACK CHIHUAHUA.
Advices received late Tuesday az
ternOOn by villa at the front stated
that generals COntreras and Chao had
attacked the city of chihuahua, hem
ming IN the federal garrison left be-
hind when the march on Juarez was
commenced. The rebel leaders indi-
Gated that they were nearly certain
Of victory.
FederuIs Shell supply Train.
Federals at Mesa opened fire imme-
diately upon Villas supply train which
left Juarez for that point at 1880
Tuesday. Under hail of bullets the
train backed up out Of range. This
was repeated when the federals again
found the range and opened fire on
the train.
Villas artillery was then engaged
with the federal battery on the east
Turning his fire, he forced the feo-
erals to cease their bOmbardment OF
the trains.
The fighting then ended on the wing
and was recommended. near Bauches
where the fede-als again opened an
artillery fire. Villa at once took
command Of the right flank and or
dered artillery placed upon COM
handing hill. He then commenced a
hot Commandment Of the federal po-
sition which Gen MercadO commanded
Rebels Silence Federal Guns
The federals attempted \ strategic
move. Placing cannon on q nat car.
they attempted to run 1t nearer to the
rebel lines Villa personally ordered
his artillery TO train on the car and
Open fire At the sixth shot the fed
ersl fire from this source was sleneed-
Villas cavalry at once moved for
ward, and advanced so far across the
mesa that the federal artillery sta
toned on the hill was useless.
FederaIs Abandon Field Guns.
Villas cavalry kept up such a heavy
fire that the federals were compelled
TO retreat. abandoning three pieces OF /
artillery. which the rebels seized
As Villa advanced the infantry Kept
up a heavy fire, the tederals 1nally
being driven to point seven miles
south Of Mesa where they prepared to /
make another stand.
Villas Loss Not Heavy.
Although the federals are doing most I
of the firing, the loss. to Villas force /
is comparatively small. he says.
The rebels have almost completely I
surrounded the entire main body Of =!
federals, who have five trains south 4
OF Mesa with the track torn up both I
sides Of them.
Fresh Men Aid the Rebels.
At o'clock when the battle was /
the hottest, Villa received 1000 rein 4
forcements. These fresh troops were 4
rushed to the front relieving men who I
had been on the firing line since 1
O'Clock Tuesday morning. At 5 o'clock /
1850 more men arrived from Sonora 4
20 further strengthen the rebel forces /
20 Fedcrals are Prisoners.
About $50 federals were taken pris-
oners by the rebel forces during the 1
day.
villa Conserves Ammunition.
Villa showed capacity for leadership !
in the way he handled his men with /
small loss and in, the way in which I
he drew the federal fire. econOmizing /
meanwhile in the use Of the rebel am 1
munition.
villa Retterates Confidence.
villa reiterated Tuesday his confi- I
denCe in winning this battle He re
GREETED the embargo which restricts 4
the ConstitutiOnalists" supply of am
several federal prisoners met len
iency at Villas hands Tuesday. The I
rebel leader gave them hats and |
blankets and then caused their re- 1
lease. They told him they had been