South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-15
Three American Non-Combat-
ants Are Victims of Bullets
When Gen. Villa Leads Sur
prise on Port of Entry.
SUCCESS OF REvALT
MAI CLEAR SITUATION

L L
stituuonalist army made a surprise
attack upon Juarez early Saturday
and captured the city after a terrific
engagement which lasted for hours.
Hundreds of rifle bullets and steel
pointed projectiles from field guns
fell in this city and the roar of bat
tie caused a panic. Lives of many
Americans were imperiled.
Firing began at 2:90 o'clock and
nearly three hours later the main
plaza of Juarez was in the hands OF
by fierce hand to hand fighting in
the streets. Juarez was the last port
of entry held by the federals along
the United States border.
Flee Across Border.
Hundreds of terror stricken resi-
dents of JuareZ, many of them
Americans who had gathered there
for the approaching race meeting,
fled across the international bridge.
Men, women and children. who had
been aroused from their sleep by the
shrek of shells and the din of rifle
fire fed into this city in great discr-
der. Many were artired just as they
had arisen from their beds.
AS soon as the firing became gen
eral Major r. L. l.. Mitchie, L. $.
A, adjutant to Gen. HOugh l.. Scott
COIQIlduQ6T
der patrol, took command Of the sit
uation and stationed a heavy Gordon
of troops along the river froR. Sol
diers were massed at the american
end of the international bridge to
keep it clear and prevent the flight
of belligerents into this city.
Customs House Is Fort.
Refugees arriving on this side Of
the river at o'clock said that rebels
L. Il ecrurf..
house and were using il as a fortress.
Some had taken up positions on the
roof of houses whence they turned
their rifles upon the streets and
plazas raking them with a deadly
fire.
At dawn American doctors crossed
the international bridge and offered
their services. Red Cross nurses al
so crossed the Rio Grande to care
for the wounded.
A brilliant glare across from the
middle of the city at the height of
the battle, giving rise to the belief
that part of the town was on fire.
The Juarez arsenal and barracks
were captured at 4:50 o'clock.
After the capture of the main
plaza the firing died down and soon
ceased entirely One of Gen. Villas
staff officers then called up the office
that the constitutionalists were in
possession of Juarez- He expressed
hope thar no bullets had fallen in Ell
PasO.
Artillery OH Heights.
In anticipation of an outbreak on
the Mexican side of the river which
would endanger American lives,
American artillery was stationed on
high ground commanding Juarez and
adjacent Mexican territory.
Gen. Castro. commander Of the
Juarez garrison, could not be found
after the battle and was supposed TO
have escaped with some of his men
into the southern foothills.
Gen. Villa commanded in person
the army which captured the city
and took precautions 10 prevent
looting He ordered the military
band to play the Mexican national
anthem which caused great enthusi-
asm. Among the rebels was "BilI'
Burk, an American soldier OF for
tune and expert machine gun oper-
ator. He gave the following ac-
count of the rebels movements:
with $500 men, Gen. Villa left
Terrazas for Juarez. leaving 1000
men behind TO continue the siege Of
Chihuahua We made our way
northward quickly and quietly.
WDen on the OulShlILS Ol JudItL We
captured a federal troop train with
out firing a shot. We then made a
concerted attack upon the outposts
which were lax, not expecting an at
tack.
Five Rebels Killed.
During the battle FIVE rebels were
killed so far as we could learn when
the firing had ceased. We expected
10 capture Castro. commander Of
the garrison. but could not find him
when the battle ceased. villa gave
orders TO protect all foreigners and
foreign property. Our next cam
paign will be against Chihuahua
Only two shells struck the JuareZ
race course. according TO a stable
hand who came here after the fight
lie said none OF the American horses
had been hurt at the time he left.
The horses no wat the track are val
ued at S250,000.
The loss OF life was slight. many
federals saving themselves from
death or capture by crossing the Rio
Grande south OF Juarez and surren-
dering 10 United States troops
Sen. Rosalia Hernandez is march
ing overland from Terranzas with
4. 600 more OF Villas rebels.
Among the officers who led the at