The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-30
FEDERAL ARMY
IS IN 4 PANIC

I ~ ubv ~ UuDuO
Continued from Page One.)
they should put mp . feeble resistance
against another attack Or scatter n
disorder In every direction.
4eanWhile United States troops on
this side Of the river were scoutine
the border for 9ny fedesals who might
have crossed during the night and to
check any general rush across the
river. a. seemed imminent last night.
when. during q panic in the garrison At
o5inaea. about 600 federals leaped into
the river.
The situation was regarded - eriti-
cal, both because It appeared to hold
the fate Of the federal army and be-
cause It threatens general rush across
the river Of all the federal troops should
the rebels close IN
| Fight or flee were the eonflicting
questions written on the face Of every
soldier now under siege in the small
Mexican village about . mile from Pre-
sidio. Within the confines Of the village
were all that remained Of the north
division OF Huerta's army. About them
on the hills was the advance guard Of
General Ortega's rebel army and sim
further back were tho rest Of the
| rebels.
| All are moving under instructions
from General Villa to exterminate the
rout. In which they were 30 completely
disor9anixed that many crossed to the
American side or were shot dead for
mutiny. at their officers feet. on the
Mexican side. the federals apparently
were In no position to maintain 4 fight
ing front. Upon the ability Of the gem
erals to rally their soldiers win depend
whether the Huerta army 10 to keep
or lose its last remaining foothold in
the northern part Of Mexico.
Tho First Attack.
The result of the first attack by the
rebels as summed up today. was 400
rebels who had been advancing for
more than a week from Chihuahua
City had reached La Mula pass. . cam
yon leading from the interior to OIL
naga. At the pass about Is miles from
Ojinaga. they opened fire on and de-
feated the few federal outposts.
The 1000 federals hemmed in at OIL
maya. had been in discord due to the
withholding Of their pay and to quar-
rels between the regulars and the vol
unteers.
The news Of the rebel approach had
caused increasing anxiety but when the
firing was heard absolute terror pre-
vailed.
About 500 federals with guns Jumped
into the river to seek safety on the
American side. OF this number at least
400 were driven back before they got
out Of the water. Another 100 were
captured by Major McNamee. COM
marched up to the town of Presidio
and then forced back to the Mexican
side.
A few Of those who had been wound
ed were taken in charge by DR.. Burn
side. army surgeon. They reported that
None of the federal officers came
across, 10 far as was known. Con-
fusion reigned among the federals. The
soldiers fatty refused to fight. All
army ranks and divisions were ignored.
and the whole garrison was a. . mob.
The generals alone stood firm. endeav-
oring. with their poor support. 70 pre-
sent q gallant front Generals Salaxar
and Orozco. commanders OF volunteers,
were said to have drawn their revolvers
in threat e to- to shoot sseFy Fier who
scattered 1t First Fffe.
The federals appeared to have scat
tered at the first pun Of powder. Mill
tary men said it was fear rather than
bullets that disOrganixed the garrison.
Among the II generals at Ojinaga are
some who have played important parts
include Salvador Mercado. former gov
ernor Of Chihuahua state; Francisco
Castro, who was defeated when the
rebels took Juare8: Jose Mancfllo and
Manuel Landa. all OF whom command
regular forces.
The 1000 federals are about equally
divided between regular and volunteers.
Among the volunteer commanders are
Pascual Orozco. who fought in the
Mexican revolution and then revolted
against Madero; Ynez Salaxar. who was
imprisoned by Madero for molesting the
Mormon colOnie3 in northern Mexico:
Marcello CarAveo, who. In spite OF his
being with the federals, IL said to be
held in great respect by the rebels
General Orega, the rebel commando, II
supported by Panfllo Natsra ef "a
catecas. *
AS the situation stood today the fed
erals have these alternatives: To fight
it out In Ojinaga: to retreat to the
state Of Coahuila: to attempt to cross
to the United States.
1--WE win stay here until the last man
drops"
The First Fight.
Presidio. Texas. Dec. 30.-The fed
eral army Of 1000 men at Ojinaga.
night by 1900 constitutionalists, sent
by General Villa from Chihuahua. In
the darkness many OF the federals
crossed the river to the American side,
forced back by the United States
troops.
The final rout was preceded by a
three hours battle begun after dark,
In which the rebels. marching through
the deep canons south Of Ojinaea,
completely wiped out the federal out
posts. The news Of the defeat at La
Mula pass and La Mulato, giving the
rebels an unobstructed passage to
within firing distance OF Ojinaga. itself
caused a frenzied retreat among the
federals.
About four hundred Of them
plunged into the river to seek safety
on the American side. They were
forced back by Major McNamee, COM