Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-03-24
THE FEDERAL ADVANCE
GUARDS ARE IN RETREAT

ualilo, a town northeast of Bermijil.
10.
At a great irrigation ditch shortly
after leaving Bermejillo, Benavides
came upon a federal force which he
estimated to number 400. An hours
engagement ensued, as result OF
which the rebel commander report
ed to General Villa the route of the
enemy, leaving ninety dead on the
field. His only loss he reported as
three killed and seven wounded.
Ell Vergil, Durango, Mex, March
24.-The real attack on Torreon be-
gan yesterday when General Villa
occupied Lerdo, practically without
resistance, and at 1 o'clock yester-
day afternoon began an attack on
Gomez Palacio.
The three towns are practically
one in a commercial and social sense
and are connected by four miles of
street railway, but Torreon proper
represents the military stronghold
where the main federal force is
gathered under Gen. Refugio Velas-
co.
Gomez Palacio and Lerdo are
without important natural defenses,
and in previous revolutions have
never been seriously defended. The
real test of strength is expected to
come soon when Villa hurls his
force against the defenses at Tor
reon. On this battle it is conceded
hinges the fate of the revolution.
The mountain. Cerro de la Pila,
lies to the right of the street car
and railroad tracks which connect
Gomez Palacio with Torreon. While
naturally approached by a hostile
force from Gomez Palacio it forms
an advance portion of the Torreon
defenses.
General Villa telegraphed conf
IDENTIFY that he would take Gomez
Palacio last night. His confidence
was based on the fact that the
mountain is usually defended mere
ly for the purpose of inflicting what
damage is possible. Otherwise the
position is such that the defending
force could be cut off by superior
enemy.
The advance on Gomez Palacio be-
gan from this point, which is only
two or three miles from Gomez Pa
lacio.
The action was preceded by fur
ious cannonading directed at the
federal batteries with their infantry
on the mountain slopes.
When rebel officers with field glasses
observed that the federals were
shifting their positions, their own
infantry was set in motion across
the plains in the direction of the
1t is reported that other troops
are approaching Torreon in other
for the last week Villa
drove in the federal outposts from
all points of the compass, and made
The way clear for his own attack by
taking Mapimi, Brittingham juno
lion and a number of other towns.
Once Gomez Palacio and the
La Pila is taken the rebel
troops may move through a valley
along the street car line to Torreon
Until the gates of the city are reach
ID. 1t is probable, however, that
hey will have to fight to cross the
Iasas river, which runs between the
wo cities.
The whole valley is reported to be
n a state of defense with barbed
wire entanglements and trenches,
irrigation bitches in some instances
having been flooded, while others,
eft dry, will shelter the Huerta
oldiers. Federal batteries every
where occupy the hills which close
n on Torreon on every side.
The preliminary skirmishing
which enabled the rebels to bring
heir batteries into action yesterday
fternoon began at daybreak yes
erday and the federals fought stub
ornly. They retired from trench
D trench on the plains until forced
ack upon the main force on the
Iopes of the mountain.
General Villa was in high spirits
nd predicted that Torreon proper
'ould crumble before him.