The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-16
With Less Than 500 Soldiers
the Federal Commander
Puts 1000 Rebels
to Flight
NOT THOUGHT THAT
VICTORY WILL PUP
END TO FIGHTING
Rebels Gathering in Larger Forces to
Wrestle Last Sonora Port From
Rule of Huerta-American
Volunteers Rescue
Wounded

Naco, Ariz., March 15.--Instead of
insurgent state troops. Generai Ojcda
with less than 500 federal soldiers went
out from Naco today and defeated the
enemy.
In three hours of aggressive lighting,
peppering the enemys line with rifle and
machine gun bullets and spraying lead
from shrapnel shells over hills adopted
as fortincations, Huerta federals drove
the state forces four miles to the south
east. Late today the government forces
returned victorious to the Mexican bor-
der town opposite this point
Even the victors did not believe the
fighting ended, however, nor that Naco
is secure from assault. The state forces
are assembling tonight in still greater
numbers to wrest the only remaining port
on the Sonora border from the hands
of the Huerta national government.
Fight as Wild Men
With the advantage of the unexpected
aggression and possessing five artillery
diers defending the military honor OF
the new Huelta regime fought as wild
men against seemingly overwhelming odds.
Protected by the artillery fire, the fed
erals scrambled over the hilloeks and
aearlessly began firing their rifles at the
enemy appearing IN the distance
II was The group under elias Gales
which first received the assault. Expect
ing to attack rather than be attacked.
the state troops soon fell back The
other half of the eonstitutionalist forces
under Protector Bracamonte rushed TO
the rescue from the east and with a roar
of artillery and the continued rattle of
rifles the battle was on. For an hour
desperate fighting continued. Little by it,
tie the state troops fell back from the
terrific fire of the aggressors. For mile
the Huerta soldiers pursued closely the
retreating enemy, advancing the artillery
from the rear of the skirmish lines Bodies
of killed and wounded state troops lie
tonight deserted on the field
No Border Shooting
On behalf of the state of Arizona
Sheriff M. C. Wheeler of Tohnbstone
early in the day insisted there should
be no repetition of the shooting across
the border as at the Nogales battle
This moved the federal commander to
abandon his Notifications and set out
after the enemy. Five troops of the
Fifth and Ninth United States cavalry
were on duty along the border keep
ing back noneombatants. The only
person wounded during the fight on
the American side was A. A Hopkins
a deputy United States marshal He
was injured in the knee while doing
neutrality duty on the line.
AS at Nogales, American volunteers
in automobiles dared the fire to rescue
wounded under the protection of the
Red Cross flag. DR.. Randall of Doug
las Is missing.
Jubilant over their victory the fed
erals returned to Naco. The state
troops at last reports were five miles
from Naco
Il do not think the fight is end.
ed said General Ojeda. federal COM
mander. But / am still in possession
of Naco and expect to contest every
inch of the way"
General Oieda said that his losses in
the days fighting were nine killed and
IL wounded. He estimated the loss of
the enemy as much greater owing to
the artillery fire.
None was injured on the American
side except an Arizona deputy mar
sha1 wounded early in the day DIR.
Randall of Douglas is missing While
assiting the wounded. he abandoned
his automobile in the field Small
groups of rebels are pressing In from
interior points. Already 400 Yaqui In
dams are well on the way from No
gales The warriors are said to be maxi
ing a record march to the assistance