Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1914-01-02

Preside, Texas, Jan 1.-The north
ern division of the Mexican federal
army at Ojinaga, Mexico. with it's IL
generals, other officers and about 1900
soldiers, after a uerciless three days
attack by General Ortegas rebels, to-
night appeared to be on the verge of
fleeing in disorder across the river into
the United States.
With a line of struggling wounded
at the border to indicate the extent of
the carnage, and daserters already ap-
pearing in numbers. Major NJ. n. Me-
Nance, commanding the border patrol
made every plan in anticipation of the
flight.
Federal Deserters Cross River
Less than 500 cavalrymen, mostly
from the Fifteenth cavalry, form the
border patrol here. To this small body
task of surrounding and disarming
perhaps 1000 foreign soldiers.
Scores of uninjured federal deserters
came to the river today and, in de-
flance of the American patrol, crossed
with their arms. All these were dis
armed and forced back to the Mexican
side. More than 200 rifles, other arms
and ammunition thus were taken from
the fugitives.
No Hospital Service.
1t was impossible to learn accurately
the number of dead. A careful esti-
mate placed the Number of wounded on
both sides at 1000. Many We're be-
lieved to have died through lack OF
medical attention, as neither federals
nor rebels are equipped with any field
hospital service, and the Red Cross
officials on this side were not permit
ted TO ford the river. even under a
Red Cross flag
Jured from the river risked the danger
of being shot. A few shots fired by
the rebels fell on the American side,
but no one was injured.
Major McNamee warned General Or
tega that any further firing across the
river might entail grave consequences.
Rebels Gain Ground.
The battle at Ojinaga, one mile back
from the river, proceeded uninter-
from the adobe huts in the village,
while the rebels. always drawing
closer, fred artillery and small guns
from the hills and approaches.
Soon after daylight the federals
made a desperate but vain attempt to
rally. Thereafter the relative position
of the opposing forces remained much
the same, with General Ortega driving
in shot and shell from three sides,
while General Francisco Castro's fed
eIalS nred IrOm the morse corral, the
customs house and trenches.
Beg Americans for Shelter.
Never in border history had there
been a scene equal to that of the fed
eral wounded and deserters, who
scrambled to reach the United States,
while behind them poured parting
shower Of shells and bullets.
The rivers edge was a ragged fringe
Of smoke -begrimed, manned and half
naked soldiers, some of them rushing
peli nell into the river. some crying
from the pain of their wounds, others
crawling with shattered limbs over the
rocks and cacti. some greedi1y stop
ping to drink the muddy water, and all
begging the Americans for shelter from
the horrible turmoil from which they
had fed.
Protest Against Being Forced Back
A soldier who had his arm shot off.
another limping with a wounded foot
a federal lieutenant bearing the uni
form of his rank. a bugler with
bunch of yellow tassels on his arm, a.
barefooted private, all formed part OF
the hobbiing line that came down to
the river.
The protest of the unwounded fed
erals against being forced back into
Mexico was pitiable. The deserters
went back, wailing as they went that
they would be surely killed without
their arms.
The little mission church on thie
side of the Rio Grande was made the
Ma1lrU1 of the wounded, above which
ne Red Cross fsg f1oated.