The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-12
no resistance in either quarter.

cavalry, 2ith cavalry and Goth infant
ry. Gen. Manuel Mondragon, retired,
was in command, but gave way to
Gen Diaz and Reyes
At $50 o'clock the first encounter
with loyal troops occurred in front of
the National Palace, and Gen. Reyes,
whose long record as an army officer,
was broken little more than a year
ago by farcial revolt, was instantly
killed by bullet through the head.
Many fell in this engagement and
among the scores Of bodies which
strewed the streets were those of minor
officers, women and boys of the low
er classes and members of the great
crowd Of spectators which had gather
ed at the first firing.
Gen. Lauro Villar, post commander
OF the capital who remained loyal
was among those slightly wounded.
The minister Of war, Gen. Garcia
Pena, also received 9 Slight injury.
At the first call to arms President
Madero took command of a force of
approximately 1000, consisting of
mounced police, ChapLitepec cadets
and a small detachment of volunteers.
He appeared at the head of this force
a mile from the national palace, rid
ing big gray horse. BY his side rode
Gen. Huerta, hero Of the campaign
orozco and one Of the army generals
whom the public generally has sus-
pected Of being disloyal.
Several blocks from the palace one
of Madero's aids attempted to dis
suade the president and, placing his
hand on the horses bride, half turn
ed the animal from the line Madero
protested vigorously, and continued to
lead the advance until the shooting
began, when Gen. Huerta succeeded
in persuading him TO enter a building
in side street. This building, by
a coincidence, was the same in which
paign for the presidency IS months
ago against a mob Of Madero sup
porters who attempted to stone him
The revolt in it's uneXpectedness
was such as to stupify the populace,
the lower elements apparently not
Knowing for whom 10 cheer. This is
popularity given as the reason for
lack Of pillaging and looting.
The national palace found the gov
ernment not altogether unprepared.
In the interim between the release Of
Gen. Diaz and Gen. Reyes from pris-
on, Gustavo Madero, brother Of the
president, and Gov. Cara Of the fed
eral district learned of the plans Of
the rebels. The minister of war and
Gen. Villar made hasty preparations
to guard the palace. Riding at the
head Of their troops, Gen. Diaz and
Reyes appeared from the east into
the Socalo, the big square in front of
the palace.
Gen. Reyes appeared for the first
of a general, but Diaz wore blue
sack suit and soft gray hat.
A halt of the mutinous forces was
made when Gen. Villar, appeared at
the door of the palace, raising his
hand and challenged them. The an
swer was an order on the part Of the
rebels to begin firing. Quickly the
invading forces assumed positions
around the square which soon was
clouded with smoke from their rifles.
Immediately from the palace came an
answering rifle, the defendants using
rifles and machine guns.
From the west could be seen ad-
vancing the force, headed by Presi-
dent Madero. AS it appeared the
rebels retired into a side street.
Thirty minutes later street fighting
began in the neighborhood but lasted
only a short time. Neither side ap-
peared ready TO press it's advantage,
but just before noon Gen. Diaz led
his command, numbering 1000 on
wide detour in an effort to attack the
arsenal. When the fighting in the
Scala ceased ambulances of the Red
Cross and White cross engaged in the
work Of picking up the dead and sue
coring the wounded. The plaza, an
area of four city blocks, was strewn
with bodies of men and horses. With
in the palace there We're few victims,
but Col. Morelos, one of the most
loyal of Maderos adherents, was
killed.
Gen. Gregorio Ruiz, a retired Off
Ger, two captains and three lieu
tenants were executed in the palace.
1t is officially announced that this