The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-15
I NIFTNNs # u n = 7 =
in all quarters.
Infantry RevOlts

able to advance Failure had been en-
countered in all quarters.
Infantry RevOlts
1t was coincidental with this cessation
of the firing that battalion of the Twen-
tieth infantry revolted. All but a hand
full of these federals succeeded in joining
Diaz.
This battalion was stationed along In
dependencia street. The men suddenly
turned upon their officers and shot them
but the sound of these shots did not
attract general attention in the heavy
fusillade Then the entire battalion broke
for the rebel lines, reaching there in
safety.
Thirty-eight of them were overpowered,
however, by legal troops and were
marched to the palace
Although the firing on both sides was
lighter today the total number of shells
used was enormous and the incidental de-
struction of property great. The loss Of
life among noncombatants as result of
the shelling probably was less than on
the other days because every one who
had strength enough, moved out of the
districts near the scene of the operations
and by reason Of the fact that the rebels
confined their artillery action largely 20
the streets likely to be used for an as
sault.
They were fired across the town by both
sides from Ithe house tops and other
places, wherever sharpshooters could be
stationed. On account of the efforts troops
to advance this fire was heavier than
usual, and deep inroads must have been
made on the arsenal munitions to keep
the rifles and machine runs supplied.
A change of tactics marked the close
of the days military operations. The
artillery duel was succeeded by general
engagement at closer range, lasting for
more than an hour.
Federal reserves were called down the
line and from all appearances General
Huerta prepared to attack. Short range
cannon were moved closer to the fortifi-
near the railway station was left to play
prominent part.
The rebels interfered but little with
the preparations. They appeared willing
for the fight and when it was inaugu-
rated, seemed not averse TO try conclu-
sions.
Buildings within rifle range OF the rebel
positions sheltered machine guns and in
fantry while heavy detachments massed
i'll the streets. approaching the positions
from east and west.
When the government forces began this
attack both the cannon and small arms
Of the rebels sprang into quick action.
III lNp minutes the CITY WIS 1lSltnln5 10
n new note i'm the long symphony of
battle The heavy crashing of artillery
to which the inhabitants had been accus-
toned was toned down by the rattle of
rifle and machine gun fire
How many fell in this engagement cam
not be told, but the number undoubtedly
was large. The federal loss was unques-
tionably much greater than that of the
rebels.
Occasionally shells from the federal
battery al the station fell with accuracy
in the big plaza in front of the arsenal.
Little damage was done to the structure
iself
The federals We're at a disadvantage
because they We're compelled to advance
and to do so they had to leave their
shelter and crowd down the streets
1t had been said that the Maderistas
had planned TO dynamite a path through
the district to make this attack, but il
so the plan was abandoned and the at
taclling party in the narrow streets was
swept by the rebel guns with deadly and
demoralizing results.