Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-03

Torreon. Mexico. via Gomez Palacio,
April 3.-Torreon. strewn with dead
and wounded Of a six days battle. was
occupied by the rebels last night on
the heels Of the fleeing federals.
In all the lighting no foreigners were
killed or injured. Tho taking OF the
city marks the climax of tho first cam
paign of the revolution to GUST Vic
toriano Huerta from the presidential
castle in the City Of Mexico. It gives
the constituencies virtual control
over the whole northern tier Of Mexi-
can states.
Week Of Deadly Battle.
The fighting began last Friday and
was almost continuous. At hrst Villa
attempted assaults on the strong fed
eral position in daylight but these
proved costly. So the days were spent
II. csnnonading and the nights In as
yaults.
Positions were taken and lost time
and again. Several night attacks sent
the federals scurrying from strong po-
sitious but 1T daybreak the captors
would be compelled to abandon them
BY the strength and accuracy OF the
eneny's artillery fire, much OF which
10 said to have been directed BY French
and German Sunners.
Mers Than 5000 Dead and Wounded.
Losses have not been compiled. but
General villa estimates his own losses
at 500 killed and 4 500 wounded. and
the federal loss 1t 1000 dead and $500
wounded, with an unknown number OF
prisoners.
villa believes that the federals whom
his cavalry Is pursuing to the south
forms but remnant OF the federal
force, whose loss he says probably Is
close to being total. All the subordt-
nate generals have not yet reported.
however, and until they do just how
many were captured can not be ac-
curately stated.
Battle Line Four Miles Long.
The battle line was four miles long
and the field was determined by three
great hills formed like carpenters
square, at either end Of which lay the
town Of Gomez Palacio and Torreon.
There were about 10000 men in each
army.
The federals had fortified the hills
with rifle pits, trenches. and barbed
wire entanglements. The nature Of the
ground made it difficult to recover the
wounded and many Of them died OF
thirst and hunger or lack of attention
when they fell.
Automobiles were used in rescue
work but they could not ascend the
hillsides.
Hills Won and Lost.
Some of the flercest fighting oc-
Cured in the hills south Of Gomez
Pa}ac,o and west of Torreon. 1t ragged
with great fury on the Canyon de
Huarache. where the federals made
their last desperate stand and from
which they finally fled, followed by
column Of Villas horse.
& Twice the rebels took two OF the
h.,!s on!y- TO lose them, but all the time
the attack was becoming more formi-
dable AZ the soldiers, attacking from all
sides except the west, fighting from
house to house, drew the circle closer
about the enemy.
a hundred small encounters occurred
: internationally In the streets over the
possession Of some favored roof. but
the roar Of the cannon was almoss
- +.
continuous. j Asia4
Arnored Trains Used.
Ro4h sides used armored trains.
These with big guns mounted would
s,,fldenly appear around an elbow sot
pne OF the hills, discharge broadside
and then retire. Early IN the attack on
Gomez Palacio the trains ventured out
at the same time and a lively exchange
~ shots ensued, like naval engage
ment on land.
4 3 The federals made use Of huge rock
ets. which were shot to great height,
exploding in the air and letting oown
a a--ilatl Of buckshot.
On the fourth day Of the night the IN
tense suffering from heat and thirst
was relieved by rain, Thought 70 nave
been brought on by the heavy nring.
S Reinforcersnts Rspuissd.
During the battle scouts brought
word that federal reinforcements from
{ Monterey were approaching on the
East, General Herrera was sent against
them and later reported that he had
sent them fleeing into the hills. Final
.ly the federals evacuated to the south
Z ana the rebels took possession OF Tor
veOn. ss. &
s Great supplies Of food, ammunition,
EnrtiilSry; and stores of cotton fell into
me rebels. hands by the capture.
$500 55 News HELD BACK.
ri Avesta Nsysspapsrs in Msxieo City
Claim Victery at Terrsen.
Mexico city, April s.The federal
csDi,N s -;ss.S.:: te..y OF the fall Of