Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-14
Mexican mand er
Makes a Heroic Defense
Against Odds.
WOUNDED UNATTENDED
Many Are Left in the Mountain
GuIIeys-ShotS Fly Into
Arizona Town.

Nogales, Ariz., March 14.-Rebel
forces gained possession last night of
the Mexican town which is divided
only by a street from this city and
which bears the same name Ameri-
can troops who. with a machine gun,
were stationed on a hill during the all
day battle between Mexican federals
and rebels, did not fire. The Ameri-
cans were under orders from the war
department not 10 fire unless on direct
word from Washington.
sURRENDERS TO REBEL CHIEF.
Colonel Emilio Korterlitzky, COM
manding the federal garrison at No
gales. Sonora, surrendered to General
Obregon, the rebel commander. last
night at 6;4O o'clock. after a terrific
battle which began at daybreak Bull
let's raining on the twin Arizona town
created a critical international situa-
tion which has not been equaled since
the battle of Juarez two years ago.
Determined to obtain the remaining
SonoraArizona port of entry from the
federal government, 1000 constitution
alists assaulted the town at davbreak,
only to be driven back by the logged
resistance of no more than $50 defend
ers under Colonels Kosterlitzky and
Reyes.
Seen in the field soon afterward,
Constitutionalist Commander General
/ Obregon remarked that the real at
tack had not come. In the mean
while troops were rushed here from
Fort HuachEca, Ariz.. and last night
600 troopers Of the Fifth cavalry are
on duty along the border.
IGNORE AMERICANS PROTEST.
Despite protests from Lieutenant Co
lionel Tate and Consul Simpich, many
bullets struck on the American side
throughout the day. The renewed at.
tack late in the afternoon did not de-
crease the danger to residents of the
Arizona town. Three non-combatants
We're wounded here. while two Ameri-
can women had narrow escapes from
injury, one bullet even piercing Mrs.
II. W. Kelsay's skirts while on the
porch Of her home. The killed or
wounded in the days battle could not
be estimated
Twenty injured from both sides we're
brought 10 hospitals here, but DR.. Gus
tetre. an American physician. who
braved the firing line, reported many
more wounded who could not be reach.
ed without danger to the rescuers.
American residents here quickly gave
their services as Red Cross volunteers.
EASY TOWN TO DEFEND.
Nogales is set in an ideal position
for defense, between two ranges of
hills running parallel north and south.
The state troops were compelled to
move down this lane and were moved
down by the fire Of the federals' rifles
and machine guns placed on the
. heights. On the plain between the
!. hills the attackers concealed them
!, selves in shallow inches caused by the
mountain freshets
. Here men dead and wounded lay in
the sun without succor Twice during
the day General Obregon failed in at
tacks on all three of the defenders
flanks.
} At $40 O'Clock last night the third
) attempt was made to assault the fed
} eral positions. This was more sue
} cesstul the defenders deserting the
right front and extreme left trenches
p and fleeing to the cover Of the town
/ This increased the hot fire on tbs
: American side, and when a report
? reached Colonel Tate that one Of his
. troops had been wounded. he hastily
, assembled his men The American
; Red Cross workers were refused pas
sage through the federal lines, and the
American soldiers had difficulty il
clearing the streets Of spectators.
MORE AMERICANS ARRIVE.
At the outbreak OF the battle. Cap
tain c. c. Smith. in charge Of the Fiftl
United States cavalry patrol here. de
ployed his men along the border anC
sent word to Fort Huachuca that th,
fight had opened. The warning. how
. ever. had been anticipated, and befor,
r. daybreak a train bearing three add
j tional troops Of cavalry and q machin.
] gun platoon, under command OF Majo
: Tate, was on the way from the for
: TO the scene OF hostilities.
e The American troops guarded th'
5 border to prevent either party cross
y ing the line, and warned residents o
i the American town TO keep inside thei
: houses TO avoid stray bullets. whicl
] fell frequently in the residence district
g United States Consul Simpich drov'
4 an automobile carrying q Red Cros
Z flag and filled with nurses through ;
+ shower Of bullets TO the aid of th'
p wounded.
a moving picture operator was oI