The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-12
Eyewitness Tells of Fight Be-
tween the Mexican Armies.
Which Led to Fall of Fed
eral Stronghold.
Americans Fight
With Rebel Guns
Horrible Story of Camp Life,
In Which Women and Chill
drcn Share Hardships With
Mcn-News Suppressed by
Rebel Censorship.
(Erom n Special Correspondent-)

fFroD n Special CORRESPONDENCE
Ell PASC. TEX, April 1l.~-TorTooa
Ieil for what LIS surely tine oldest rea-
soa In Iatin-Anerican history, the
Inadequate supply of generals Ger
.ainly there were other contributory
attacks and puerile fortifications, but
II the federal stock of generals had
not given out the troops could have
been forced to further fighting. And
when his second attack failed at Co
mez Paiacio. and especially at Tor
reon. Pancho Villa was very nearly
beaten man, though his army was not
demoralized.
This statement, and those that fol-
low are made from personal ohserva-
ton.
/ left chihuahua on March 18th.
In freight car, on one of the trains
In which Villa modified his army.
was in all OF the camps. and saw the
failure of the attacks on Gomez Pa
sacio and Torreon. / was among the
arst to enter Torreon. and with the
ffrst to leave after the evacuation. Ow-
ing TO an absolute embargo on wire
communication. only lifted for mo-
ment after the battle. and censorship
Of sort that made 1t impossible 10
send news or tell what would happen
In the way of additions and subtrac-
fractions to news which had apparent
IN passed the censor. the facts could
only be told after arrival In the Unit
ed States, which reached at the ear
lies. possible moment after the feder-
as evacuated Torreon.
The campaign started and came to
close in n typical manner As the
laxurions side door Pullman" of the
correspondents passed south from Chi
fgahua. villa. in brown sack suit,
mussed with yesterdays pushing re-
FACTORY horses into stock cars. stood
among a group OF officers and hangers
an. draining a bottle Of pop. we stop
prd H.. Bachin,ba, where Huerta de-
feated OroEco and made his reputa-
ton.
A captain hurried into the car.
picked up his rifie--osficers in the con-
stitut.cnalist army carry rides--threw
some cartridges into the magazine,
and hurrying out said: Colorado" ]
followed. thinking that some band
might be trying TO raid the train.
There was a little knot OF men In
front OF one OF the cars OF prisoners.
and IN their midst four men. three
young ana one old The young men
were silent. or II they attempted to
apeak. thsy were s!lenced- The old
man was trying to explain No one
else was excited. for everything SEEM
Cd . foreEone conclusion.
After a few minutes the old chap
was allowed to climb back into the
ear with the other prisoners At first
he scorned aid. but was flnairy heaped
In. Then the group. with the three
prisoners In the middle, struggled in
formally across the peaceful sunny
desert to tho bed OF dry water
course. The prisoners walked with
the crowd, seeming a part OF 1t. and
with neither apparent dread nor an
tfcipAtion They climbed down the
banks and stood quietly for a mo-
ment Several shots were fred more
or less at once. tho guns within inches
of the victims. There were other
shots aftsrward. whoever wished fir
Ing 1t tho bodies. Then the crowd
drifted back to the train. the conduc-
tor crying. 'Vamanos." and the engi-
neer footing tho whistle to hurry the
laggards. II was all matter OF fact.
almost casual. and utterly revolving
The men were said to be ''colorados."
ar volunteers incorporating A. reg
u:arx Tho blood lust Is strong In the
Mexican.
Al troop train passing through the
country, or town for that matter. Is