The daily sentinel., 1914-04-03
MEXICO CITY
DENIES FALL
OF T0RRE0N
Villa Describes Capture, How
ever, and Holds Possession
in Spite Huerta'S Belief.
VIVID STORY BLOODY BATTLE

Associated Press.
Torreon (via Gomez Palacio) ApriI
3.-Torreon. strewn with dead and
wounded of siy-day battle was oc-
cupied by the rebels last night. on
the heels of the fleeing federals. In
all the fighting not u foreigner was
killed or injured. Taking the city
marks the climax of the first cam
paign of the revolution to oust
Huerta from the presidential castle
at Mexico City. This gives the con-
stitutionaiists virtual control of the
whole northern tier of Mexican states.
The fighting began last Friday and
was almost continuous. At first Gen.
Villa attempted assaults on the strong
federal positions in the daylight but
this proved costly, so the days we're
spent in cannonading and the nights
in assaults. Positions We're taken and
retaken. The rebels would capture
strong federal positions in the night.
only to be driven out by daylight by
the accurate cannon fire.
The losses have not been compiled,
but Gen. villa estimates his own
losses at 500 killed and 800 wound
ed; the federal loss at 1000 dead;
$500 wounded, with an unknown
number of prisoners.
The battle line was four miles long
and was determined by three great
hills, formed like carpenters
square, at either end which lay the
towns of Gomez Palacio and TorreOn.
There were 10000 men to each
army. The federals had fortified the
hills with rifle pits, trenches and
barbed wire entan2lements. Some of
the fierecest fighting occurred in
sI,x,I d. - nj af.tn md
West Torreon.
The fighting ragged in great fury
in the Canyon Dehurarache. where
the, federals made their last desper-
ate stand and from which they we're
finally driven. pursued by Villas
cavalry Twice previously the
rebels took two of the hills. only to
lose them. The persistent fighting
from house to house gradually drew
the rebel line tighter about the fed
erals. Both sides used armored
trains. Once these met and there
was a lively exchange OF shots like
naval battle on land.
The nature of the ground made
il difficult to recover the wounded,
and many died of thirst and hunger
where they fell. On the fourth day
the suffering was partially relieved
from the heat and thirst by ram.
During the battle scouts brought
word that federal reinforcements
we're approaching from the east.
General Herrera was sent against
them, aud later reported that he
had sent them fleeing into the hills.
The rebels captured great supplies
of food. ammunition, artillery and
stores of cotton.
aScociated Press,
The federal capital is ignorant to-
f,ay of the fall of Torreon. None OF
the newspapers contained any intimn-
tiop of the federal defeat. On the
contrary they gave assurances tiiat
General Jayier de Noure had won Il
great victory over the rebels close 10
Torlpon. when the latter were trying
TO prevent him reinforcing 1enerai
Velasco.
General Banquet today denied 10
the Associated Press that there was
any truth in the report OF the iall ol
Torreon. AS late as noon no paper
had nuh,ished the news. and it was
doubtful whether dozen persons IN
,the capital were aware of the facts-
Blanouet insisted that Velasco con
tinued to hold Torreon.
Associated Press.
Juarez, April 3.-With the taking
of Torreon the rebels control an
immense wedge-shaped portion OF
Mexico. with its point resting a.
Torreon, 500 miles south OF mere anu
the top extending along the AMER
can border from Nogales, Arl]'' " q
point Just west of Eagle Pass' lex
The states subject to the. consti.u-
tionalists are chihuahua, Sonora 'eA,
cept Port Guaymas), the most VI
Coahulia, Durango and Slnaioa.
Never in all its dramatic history
since the Madero revolution began
in 1910 has this city gone as mac
with enthusiasm as it did last nign'
with the announcement OF the cap
ture of Torreon A formal ceiepra-
tion is planned for this afternoon
over which Carranza will preside.
Tho victory. it is said, will MAKE
tho CAPTURE of Saltillo and NoncioNla
in Coahuila. and Monterey, III Nue,
Leon. assured Interest today Is oi
vided in speculations as TO VIE VIE.
future movements and their eiIeot
n any. in Washington. General WIZ
is everywhere acclaimed nero
Associated Press. 49,. ;u,
Juarez, April 3.-During the I'M
promptu celebration last nieh' -,
men embraced wherever they me'
Rolls In the old mission Of Guada
loupe were set ringing. Rebel soioier
awoke and Joined the cheering. tnel
by common impulse their rifles wer
turned loose into the air ana tor
time the inhabitants of El Paso, Tex
supposed that Juarez was again SUI
fering one of its periodical attacks
Municipal bands paraded the street