Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-22
Governments Troops Retreat Pre-
cipitately at Other
Points.
BURN AND WRECK IN FLIGHT
Gen. Villa Elated and His Men Are
Fired With Enthusiasm and Con-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Sent
North From Mexico City.

N-h->S IL Z llONALLST HOSPITAL.
BASE. BERMEJILLO, Durango. Mexico
March 21-(precede ell Paso)-The rebel
net about Torreon and vicinity was drawn
closer today and Gen. Herrera fought the
most important engagement of the ad
vance near Hacienda Santa Clara. twenty
two miles north of Torreon. In the ell
gasement JOG federals were killed accord
ing to report The rebel loss is reported
as siignt-three killed and seven wounded.
The fight took place over possession
OF spot on the banks of the big Tia
hualilo irrigation ditch where H.
rera wished to throw bridge and tr.
construction Of which he began i'm
mediately on retirement of the enemy,
whose numbers he estimated at 400.
Federals Retreat Precipitately.
At other points the federal advance
guards retreated precipitately, burn
ing and wrecking as they went. At
Noe the small railroad shops were
burned.
Gen. Villa was elated beyond measure
and when he took possession of tele-
| phone wire which was working into tn.
| city of Torreon he lost no time in call
| ing up the Office OF the federal COM
mander, Gen. Refugio velasco An Off
Ger of the latters staff answered the call
| I am coming to have supper with
you.' Gen. Villa began.
| Who are you?" inquired the federal
officer, politely.
| II am an hombre called Francisco
Villa, replied the chieftain
| We'll. come whenever you are ready"
1 came the answer
Try to Wreck Railroad,
| Villa talked from this city. which he
TOOK at sallop without resistance. His
scouts brought word that the federals had
made poor job of wrecking the railroad
tracks.
This camp. where Villa has an I'M
mense store of ammunition, is just out
side the city and was the scene of great
activity today cartridges and shell
were being forwarded by rail and packed
on mules and burros to Herrera, Bena-
vides, Contreras and other generals
George G. Carothers, United States co,-
su.ar agent, was given renewed .assur-
ances of fair treatment to foreigners by
Cen Villa, in an interview today.
Gen. Benavides' Report.
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico. March 2I-The
following official report from Gen. Bena-
vides at the front was received here to-
day:
Met federal army outpost near Bernie
jillo and completely routed them. The
enemy fled toward Torreon, leaving nine
ty dead on the field. We lost but one
killed.
In military circles here it is believed
that the rebels will encounter little III
any further resistance in securing them
selves in positions for the attack on Toll
reon Little resistance is expected by the
rebels until the city is completely in
vested and the main opposing forces are
within rifle range.
The victory of Benavides and Herrera
at the irrigation ditch, an immense artery
which feeds its water supply to many
smaller bitches about Torreon is reported
to have fired Villas troops with the great
est enthusiasm and confidence
Reinforcements for Torreon.
MEXICO CITY, March 21.-About two
thousand troops are being rushed north
ward tonight. and the officers make no
secret that they are to be utilized for
the reinforcement of Gen. Velasco at
Torreon. The war department, however.
insists that they are being dispatched
from Monterey toward Matamoras, and
the government denies that the rebels
are pushing the attack against Torreon.
although admitting that they are within
striking distance.
The reinforcements include the crack
29th regiment. with three batteries OF
artillery and thirty automobiles.
1t is unofficially reported that 300"
federals under Gen. Pena have been
forced to fall back to Bermejillo. north
of Torreon, Gen. Pena being among
those killed. This Is denied by the
war department.
1t is suggested here that Villa 8 move
ment against Torreon may be feint
to enable him to move eastward
through Sierra Majade and Monclova in
the state of nahuila. toward MOnter0y.