The Sentinel=record., 1914-03-24
RETURN FIRE OF MEXICAN FED ERALS AND LEAVE SEVERAL
 DEAD ON THE RIVER BANK.
MEXICANS SHOOT FIRST
Chasing Rebels Over Border They Re. fuse to Cease Firing and United States Troopers Send Them to Cover with We'll Directed volleys.

Eagle Pass, Tex, March 23.-Mexi can federal soldiers who attempted tc pursue with rifle bullets a defeated constitutiolalist force escaping to the United States and safety met sharl resistance yesterday from United States cavalry on. border patrol above Del Rio, Tex. When three horses held oy the American troopers had been shot down, the Americans returned the fire across the Rio Grande. and after the international conflict the Mexicans withdrew, bearing with them dead and wounded.
 No American was hurt.
 Official reports of the occurrauce to Col. Sibley, commanding at Fort Clarke here, caused orders for all available cavalry of the border patrol to proceed to Del Rio. One troop and machine gun platoon left Eagle Pass soday. Another engagement between Mexican federals ana constitutional ists is expected tomorrow lI the same territory. The clash across the inter- national line was precipitated accord. ing to official reports to headquarters here today by persistent firing of ;be federals at the fleeing rebels, who lad gained American territory and surren- dered to United States troops. Three horses held by American cavalry men were killed. For ten minutes. Capt Winterburn of Troop E, Fourteenth Ipxr ofo 1nI Fn bo fnIa I- tn cease firing, but reported that his sig nals were disregarded and his own men were in danger. He then orie'ei the Americans to fire, and a sharp fusillade resulted, lasting for al out five minutes.
 The constitutionalists defeat2l Sun. day were a scouting party led into q trap by the federals who, earlier in the day had captured Las Nacas, Cp- posite Del Rio. They abandoned he town, but returned suddenly to attack the rebel scouts About 45 constitu- tionalists were cut off by 2G0 federals at McKee's crossing on the Rio Grande, where the rebels put up stubborn re- sstance until overpowered by nun. bers They then began retreating across the river to the American side, where Capt. Winterburns detachment of fifteen cavalrymen was on duty to preserve neutrality.
 Of the 45 constitutionalists, only 27 reached the Texas bank The federals continued to fire at the fugitives as they forded the river and several were seen killed in the water, their bodies floating down stream. Even after the rebels had surrendered to the Amen cans, it was officially reported, he federals continued shooting with grave danger to both Americans and Mexi- cans. When Capt Winterburn saw his signals to them brought no effect the Americans began shooting at a range of about 400 yards from the Texas bank of the river, and the fed erals withdrew, leaving several bodies on the Mexican side.
 They later returned and bore these away, but how many were killed or wounded the Americans could not learn.
 There was no further trouble, and 1t was said here that the additional troops were ordered to Del Rio be- cause of the battle expected tomor- row.
 force of about TOO constitutional ists were reported advancing from the southwest to Las Vacas, where the feedral command is now stationed. A rebel company that has been encamp- ed opposite Langtry. Tex, is also moy- Ing down the river toward Las Vacas.
 Villa Closing in.
 El Vergil, Durango, Mex, March 23' The real attac kon Torreon began today when Gen. Villa occupied LOT do practically without resistance, and at o'clock this afterenoon began the attack on Gomez Palacio
 The action was preceded by a can onadiag directed at the federal batter les When rebel officers with field Slasses observed that the federals We're shifting their positions, theiI own Infantry was set in motion across the plains in the direction of the mountain.
 1t is reported that other troops are approaching in other directions, for laSt week Villa drove the federal out posts from all points of the compass and made the way clear for his own attack by taking MaplmI, Birmingham "hd number Of other towns.