The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-07
lIORRoRS OF ZACATECAS
NAIeELE ARE PAINTED

Especial to The Times Dispatch1
FL Paso. Texas. July 6,-"Whatever
the report of the commissioners now
Attempting to settle the Villa -CarranZa
embroslio may be- said James Ware.
the American newspaper photographer
who returned from Torreon to-day. 1T
is doubtful If the rank and ilc of the
followers of the ConstitutIonalistl lead
erS will agree to accept the findings.
While General Villa has been particu-
larly discreet in the matter OF discuss
fnc the differences between himself
and General Carranza. his officers and
the men in the ranks of his army are
not so careful. They believe Villa has
been shabbily treated. If not by Car
rama himself. ut least by members
OF his following, who had ii in their
power to throw obstacles in the way
OF Villas march TO Mexico city
Mr.. Ware is the first American eye
witness OF the battle of Zacatecas to
reach the border, and he tells very
graphic story OF the conflict. which re-
suited in the virtual humiliation of
General Jose Medina Barrons army of
between 1000 and 1900 men. Not
more than zoo of these escaped, he
SAYS.
nIS SOLDIERS DEMONS
RiTHEI, THAN MEN
When Villa arrived upon the scene
at Pimento, an outpost of Zacatecas,
and gave the order for an attack in
sitions occupied by the Federals." said
Mr.. Ware, his soldiers became demons
rather than men. and fought their way
over seemingly insurmountablc obsta
Giles. and three hours later not only cap
tured the city and all II contained in
Guiding munitions of war, but de-
siroyed an army almost equal to theirs
ill number. The carnage was some
thing frightful. The surrounding hills
we're literally covered with dead. and
bodies OF men and horses lay in heaps
in the streets OF the city. where they
Mere moved down by machinc-gun
fire as the panic stricken Federnls at
tempted TO seek safety In flight.
After being driven into the city,
and finding that they could not hold
IL, General Barron's army attempted to
get away TO the southwark through
the pass leading to Laguna dc Guada-
lupe. and here is whore the greatest
loss OF life was sustained.
In the tortuous six miles OF mar
row canyon, which constitutes the road
from the southern gateway of Zacate-
cas- to Guadalupe. the bodies of be-
tween 900 and 5000 horses and be-
tween $500 and 1000 men were found
by the burying squads sent out by the
the ConstitutionalistS at the conclu-
sion of the battle.
TASK Is GnCESOME
AND STUPENDOUS
The disposition OF all the bodies
was in itself stupcndous as we'll as
Erucsome task. Nearly the entire
Gonstitutionalist army. or at least that
portion of 1t not required In similar
effort on other portions of the battle
field. and not including those sent In
pursuit OF the few Federals who got
away, was put ut work burying and
burning the bodies. Great quantities
OF lime were used in order to cause
the quick disintegration and ut the
same time d!sinfection OF the great
masses of purifying flesh.
The mountains around and about
the city of Iacatecas arc honcycombed
with mine openings of all sorts. and
many of the Fcderals. finding escape
cut off. sought refuge in shaft pits and
tunnels In the surrounding hills. The
Constitutionalists. suspcctinG that the
mines would lie used az places OF ref
uge, searched the mining district
promptly after the order was given
10 cease firing. and thousands of pris-
oncrs were captured In this manner
"other parties who had succeeded in
cutting their way out were ovcrtakcn
and either captured. or killed if they
put ny tight.
There are two stories afloat with
regards to General Barron. One is
that he died of wounds sustained In
the battle OF Zacatccas and another
that he committed suicide. There Is
also = story that he finally succeeded
in reaching Federal outpost near
san Luis Potosi with II handful Of
faithful followers. but this Is given
little crcdcncc."
OF the loss in killed and wounded
sustained by the Constitutionalists