The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-23
READY FOR BIG FIGHT
Rebel Troops Will Attack
City From Three
Sides.
FEDERALS EXPECT AID
Requirements From South
May Save Northern
Stronghold.

Ell PAso, March 2c.--Pancho Villa and
his rebel soldiers drove the Federal de-
tenders Of Torreon further back toward
their final base to-day and at dusk this
evening his advance guard was in Brit
tingham, a manufacturing town, only
six miles from Gomez Palacio. another
manufacturing town and n suburb Of
Torreon. This is the location of the
advance guard OF the main army com
manded by villa himself.
The advance guard OF the east wing
according to to-night's advices. is very
close to the eastern suburb of Torreon
and has had hot fighting all day.
All Villas troops advanced some to
day. but the advance was slow and
cautious. Villa was none too anxious
to take his entire command forward any
faster than he could repair the rail-
road to supply them with water and
food. and the Federals put up more
stubborn resistance to-day. The nearer
the rebels get to Torreon the better they
find the Federal Notifications and the
harder II is to drive out the defenders.
Birmingham. which Villas advance
reached to-day, is but nine miles out
OF Torreon proper. Juan Birmingham
owns IA big soap factory at that place.
He also owns most OF the industries IN
Gomez Paacic, which is three miles
from Torreon, but across the Naza-
River. This river forms the State line
between Coahuila and Durango, Torreon
being in Coahuila and Gomez Palacio
in Durango. Street cars connect IN"
two towns and extend from Torreon
through Gomez palacio TO Lerdo, seven
miles from Torreon.
The Nazas River IL dry at most sea-
sons of the year, but is now running
with much water due to the melting OF
the snow in the mountains. where it has
its source. This prevents the rebels
using the river for protection in attack
ing the town as Madero's men did in
1911 and further gives the Federals
ample water, which they are turning
through the irrigation bitches into the
fields east, southeast and northeast Of
Torreon to mire up the rebel course.
Railroads Cut 4" Prevent Retreat.
Al an early hour to-day the rebels
in Juarez had received no adviCes from
Villa relative to the fghtlng. The
only thing that came through during
the daylight hours to the rebel officials
was a telegram from chihuahua con-
irming adyioes from Villa last night
that Bermejillo has been captured This
message said 81 or ~ Fedrra,s were
killed al Bermcjillo yesterday. instead
of lO6 as wired by Villa last night.
Gen. Bonavides, lately commander of
the garrison at Juarez, who commanded
the advance guard OF the rebels into
Bermejillo, where Nil!a made his head
quarters last night after moving for
ward and helping 10 clear the railroad,
took IL southeasterly course to-day 10
join Maclovio Herreras command East
OF Torreon and almost cut III. railroad
between Torreon and Saltillu and Mon
ClONd. lHty nope ny TINS ~ prevent
IA retreat Of the Fcderals to either -
these towns in the event Of rebel VIC
tory at Torreon, meantime isolating Sal
tillo and MonClova to give the rebel
bands in that section a Chlnc" To make
another ctlur, to capture the Two places.
The rebels all but took Moncova -
week ago but were driven out by the
arrival OF Federal requirements from
Torreon. After driving off the rebels
the Federsls FASTENED back 10 Torrcun
and the Monclova and Saltillo garrisons
OF Federals are now comparatively
small.
} Villa was advised to-day that Tomas
Urbina, the commander to whom no
had entrusted the attack on Torreon
from the direction Of Mapimt, is III in
that town, either from fever or wounds,
The nature of his afiiction is not known,
but it is reported that he was wounded
in the fight at Rosario ON Tuesday last
when he was surprised by the Federals