Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-30
ATTACK
FEDERAL ARMY
CONTINUED from First Pase9

ical, both because it appeared to hold
the fate of the federal army and be-
cause it threatened general rush
across the river of all the federal
troops. should the rebels close in.
Within the confines of the village
were all that remained of the north
ern division of Huerta's army. About
them on the hills are the advance
guard of Gen. Ortegas rebel army
and still further back are the rest of
the rebels. All are moving under in
struetions from General Villa to ex-
terminate the enemy If possible.
After last nights rout in which
they were so completely disorgan-
lied that many crossed to the Ameri-
can side or were shot dead for NUT
my at their officers feet on the Next
can side, the Federals apparently
We're in no position to maintain a
fighting front.
Upon the ability of the generals to
rally their soldiers will depend
whether the Huerta army is to keep
or lose it last remaining foothold in
the northern part of Mexico
The result of the first attack by the
rebels as summed up early today
was: 1920 rebels, who had been adj
vancing for more than a week from
Chihuahua City. had reached La
Mula Pass, IL canyon leading from
the interior to Ojinega. At the pass
about eighteen miles from Ojlnaga
they opened fire on and defeated the
few Federal outposts.
The 1000 Federals hemmed in at
pa a Ia a..
the Withholding of their pay and to
quarrels among the regulars and the
volunteers. The news of the rebel
approach had caused increasing
anxiety but when the firing was
heard it caused absolute terror
About 500 Federals. Carrying their
guns, jumped into the river to seek
safety on the American side. OF this
number at least 400 were driven
back before they got out of the water.
Another 100 were captured by Major
McNamee, commanding officer. These
were disarmed, marched up to the
town of Preside and then forced back
to the Mexican side.
Soldiers Refuse TO Fight.
few Of those who had been
wounded We're taken in charge by DR..
Burnside, army surgeon. They re-
ported that some of the Federals had
been killed. None of the Federal off,
GERS came across, so far as was
known
The greatest confusion reisned
among the Federals who were still
kept within the fortifications and
trenches at Ojinaga The men fatty
refused to fight. All army ranks and
divisions were ignored. and the whole
garrison was is a mob. Every man
for himself was the attitude of mind.
But the generals stood firm, endeavor-
ing to present gallant front Cen
erals Salazar and Oro2co, commanders
of volunteers, are said to have drawn
their revolvers and threatened to
shoot evey soldier who refused to
obey
The Federals appear to have scat
tered at the first fire, for the fighting
which preceded the disorder at Oil
maya had not been much more than
a series of skirmishes.
Among the eleven generals at Oil
maya are some who have played i'm
portant parts in the current history
of Mexico, They include Salvador
Mercado former Governor of Chi
huahua State; Francisco Castro, who
was defeated when the rebels last
took Juarez; Jose Mancillo and Man
liel Landa. all of whom command reg
ular forces.
Flight to Last Man" Says General.
The 1000 F'ederals are about equally
divided between regulars and volun-
teers. Among the volunteer com
manders are Pascual Orozco. who
fought in the Mexican revolution and
then revolted against Madero; Ynez
Salazar, who was imprisoned by Ma
dero for molesting the Mormon COL
onies in Northern Mexico, and Mar
colo Caraveo, who, in spite of his
being with the Federals, is said to be
held in great respect by the rebels.
General Ortega. the rebel com
mander is supported by Panfilo Ma
tora, of Zacatecas. AS the situation
stood today the Federals have these
alternatives: To fight it out in Oil
maya. to retreat to the State of Goa
hula or to attempt to cross to the
United States.
A Federal general before the rebels
arrived declared: I'VE will stay here
until the last man drops"