The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-03-24
Only Seven Miles North of For
titled City Advance Guard of
Rebel Army Was Last Re-
ported; Federal Bands Have
Reiterated Before The On
coming Forces
10y the Associated pr~s.J

l1lo, Durango, Mex. March 22.-Hav-
-ng cleared the way for a direct at
on Torreon by his success Friday
and Saturday in establishing q base
here and driving in the Federal ad-
vance guard in the e~nvirons Of the
stronghold, General Francisco
Villa. the rebel chief, left here today
the South.
The Aig-zag rebel front, including
the Indians who offered their services
at Chihuahua q month ago, was near
the enemy last night at Britting-
ham junction, only seven miles north
of TOrreon. Other columns were Is,
~ and even more miles away, but
all were reported in motion In h
direction of Torreon.
Before leaving for the front, Gen
eral Villa said he doubted whether
the Federals would make further res
istance until he starts his assaults on
their main position.
Federals Fortify Mountain.
It is said the manning Of Mount
La Pila, which the Federals are re-
ported to have fortified, would he q
legitimate part Of the defense Of Tor
reon, although its comparative iso-
latiOn would make support from other
parts of the Federal defenses virtual
ly impossible. The COUNTRY side be.
tween Gomez Palacio and TorreOn is
laced with irrigation bitches and il
thickly settled. 1t is reported htt
Federals have let the water int
some Of the bitches TO impede tn,
rebel advance while others are beinE
utilized as trenches.
Federal Cavalry Routed.
The first important movement O
the week just passed took place whel
General Villa set his troops in mo
ton early last Friday morning from
Yermo about 100 miles North Of Tor
Fifteen miles North Of thi
city he came upon a strong adVanc,
column Of the Federals who are be
| lieyed to have. been under orders t
retreat on appearance OF the enemy
| The appearance Of the rebels, how
ever, was SO sudden that the retrea
became almost a rout. The Federa1s
like the rebels, were mounted, an
the encounter a sort Of
steeple chase.
The fight continued al a gallop il
the streets OF this city and it wa
here tina most of the Federal losse
occurred. The bodies OF los Wer
picked up by Villas men. The Fed
erals are believed to have carrie
most of their wounded into this city
as only three were found. The re
bel loss was sight.
On the heels of the cavalry d Il
other troops, and Genera BeneEide:
with &. superior force, was sent by ra,
against T~lahualilo, a town northeas
Of BeTInitillO.
Eederals Leave Ninety Dead.
Al a great irrigation near Bernie
iiilo, Benavides came upon 8 Feders
force which he estimated to numbe
400. An hours engagement ensueC
as d result OF which the rebel com
nander reported TO General VIII
the rout OF the enemy, leaving ninet
dead on the field. His own loss h
reported as three killed and SeVe
wounded.
This force OF government trOoI
seems to have been far in advance ,
any support, and the town OF Tlahus
lilo was occupied by rebels Withol
resistance.
Another Federal Towns Falls.
Meanwhile. General Herrera Occ,
pied Santa Clara and sen a force
bridge the ditch where Eenavides ha
VanQuished opposition. Meanwhi
another force of rebels under Gener
, Urbina had been moving on Mapin
one Of the most important cities
the Torreon district and occupied
/ ill today, but his troops We're said
5 be moving South under Colon
BOrunda.
S Other rebel columns whose pos
tions cannot be given with aXactitut
were understood to be drawing clos
: to the invested city from the Sou
and Southwest.