The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-06-04
DEATH TOLL HEAVY;
u. S. TROOPS PATROL
Thousands of Spectators
From American Side View
Battle Lasting Entire Day
Yankee Cavalryman Is
Wounded on Line-112
From Garrison Desert and
Cross Boundary to Safety

BROWNSVILLE. Tex, June 3.-While
handful of men still was offering
logged resistance to the rebel troops
of General Blaneo. ''constitutionalist'
commander in chief Of the state of
Tamaulipas. at 10 o'clock tonight. Mat
smoras, Mexico, virtually was in the
hands of the revolutionists after bat
tie waged without interruption since
1880 O'Clock this morning.
Colonel Eschasereta with 100 vol
unteers and remnants Of the federal
garrison, is making the last stand
from the roofs of the cathedral and
theater in Hidala plaza. but their sub
lection before morning is regarded as
certain
Early tonight flames in several sec
tions of the battle SCARED city lighted
the sky for miles around, and for a
time it was feared that the town was
doomed.
DEATH TOLL HEAVY
The toll of death on both sides has
been heavy. Major Estaban Ramos,
federal commander. was wounded early
in the engagement. He was brought
TO a Brownsville hospital. His condi-
tion is reported as serious.
Private Davis of the United States
q cavalry was wounded by a stray shot
while patrolling the border on the
American side of the Rio Grande, and
rumors are persistent that Miguel Bar
ragan, mayor Of Matamoras. was shot
and killed.
One report brought by refugees was
that between geo and 500 combatants
had been killed and double that num-
Der wounded.
The United States consulate, where
Consul ]. H. Johnson and his staff
remained throughout the lighting, was,
i'm the direct line of fire the greater
part of the day, but it was stated that
none of those in the building was
wounded
one hundred and twelve of the fed
eral troops crossed to Brownsville this
afternoon and surrendered TO the United
states military authorities
REBELS HURL DYNAMITE
shortly after 10 o'clock tonight the
firing slackened. but the rebels con-
tinued to hurl dynamite at intervals in
an effort TO dislodge the federals.
The rebels began general advance
toward the main part of Matamoras at
$50 o'clock. Within an hour they had
taken the customs office at the termi-
nus of the international bridge and the
custom house at the ferry connecting
Brownsville and Santa Cruz, suburb
Of Matamoras. After that the fight
was gradually narrowed to Hidala
plaza.
Ii was estimated that Blanco's army
numbered about 1900 men. while the
federal garrison was composed Of less
than a third of that number.
Several thousand spectators viewed
the battle from the United States side
Of the Rio Grande, but were kept at
what was regarded as a safe distance
from the boundary by the Fourteenth
cavalry troopers. who patrolled the
border for a distance OF six miles An
automobile bearing a party of sight
seers was struck by bullet, but none
of the occupants was hurt
October Election Decreed
MEXICO CITY. Mex, June 3.-Presi-
dent Huerta issued decree today in
conformity with recent action of con-
gress fixing october 26 as the date OF
the elections.
State Capital Believed Lost
MEXICO CITY. June s.-The war de-
partment fears that Zacatecas. capital
of the state of zacatecas, has been
captured by rebels. Telegraphic COM
munication with that place is cut off
The rebel commander telephoned Sun
day from Fresnillo, 80 miles to the
northwest, demanding the surrender
of Zacatecas within three days, threat
& ening to attack the town if his de-