South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-24
HAND TO HAND CLASH
ON STREETS OF TOWN
Gen. Villa, Leading Army in
Person, Orders New Assault
at Day Break on TOrreOn
Outpost.
fTnTT,
BULLETIN.

GEN. VILLAS HEADQUARTERS, |
GOMEZ PALIlACIO, Mexico, March
IA terrific battle has been raging
at the gates OF Torreon for eight
hours. The grand assault by the
constitutionaIists begun shortly be-
fore daybrcak. The victory Is with
the army OF Gen. villa thus far and
the fall OF TOrreOn Is believed immi-
nent The federal reinforcement
sent out from TOrreOn To help the
troops attempting To hold Gomez
paIlaciO have been driven back in
utter route
BERMEJLLO. state of Sonora.
Mexico. March 24.-(Constitutionalis
Base)-A desperate battle is being
fought Tuesday between the Constitu-
fiOnalists and federa1s for possession
of the strategic key OF Gomez palaclO, /
q few miles northwest Of Torreon.
Throughout the greater part of the
night. the conflict ragged with the con-
stitutionalists victorious in the first
mart Of the fight. The federals were
driven from their trenches, but upon
receiving fresh reinforcements from
TorreOn. they AIMED a fierce assault
upon Villas army.
According to dispatches from the
front brought here at o'clock by
automobile from the battle line, the
sOnstitutiOnalists occupied the suburbs
Of Gomez palaoiO at 9 o'clock last
night after so hours Of long range /
sighting with artillery. The artillery |
under General Felipe Angeles, chief
.rtilleryman OF the rebel army sue |
Ceeded in silencing the heavy guns or
the outer works Of the fede<als and
the ~-der was given TO advance. With
shells screaming over their heads the
constitutionaliSts started forward in
the darkness. Behind and before
them the blackness of night was
pierced by the continuously lightning
Iof the artillery.
Fight at Close Range.
Amfd the rebel yell the cOnstitu
tionalists poured over the fresh earth !
works on the outskirts of Gomez pa
1acio. Once In the town proper, how
ever. the engagement gained in ViO-
lence with hand to hand fighting in
all the streets From the nearby hills
troops poured hot fire into the town,
apparently careless whether they killed
friend or foe. The superior forces of
the cOnstitutionalists finally gained
them a victory and the federals gave
Nyay in the direction OF Torreon.
Before the federals had retreated
sar tney marched into the ranks of
reinforcements which had been sent
from Torreou. Lines we're reformed
and the government forces returned to
the attack. the battle raging more
1iercely than ever
The battle died down finally, both
sides resting on their arms for a re-
newai OF the conflict at dawn. General
Villa ordered a general advance at
daybreak. confident that the federals
could not stand before his greater
numbers and superior ordnance. The
rebels also had the advantage in posi-
tion. having stormed the federal works
upon the n ills west, south and north
Of Gomez palacio.
Determined To Take FalacjO.
General Villa was determined that
Gomez palacio should be taken at any
cost. His vigorous and aggressive
spirit communicated itself 10 his men
and thev fought with extraordinary
fierceEess.
General Refugio velasco. the fed
eral COSsande-. had staIed much on
the ability OF his men TO hold Gomez
palaciO because of its strategic import
ance. The first details of the long
and bloody battle which ragged around
Gomez palacic all day Monday were
received by courier during the morn
ing. Here IS the story OF the fight.
one OF the greatest OF the constitution
Glist campaign:
The rebel attack upon the key town
was begun by the forces under Cen
Ortega. General Garcia and General
Fereyrs. The men were masSed be-
hind the batteries for a charge as soon
rs the federal gunners began 10 give
way After the constitutionalists un-
der Generals Hernandez and Rodri-
guez had captured Lerdo. their forces
split part Of them going TO reinforce
the rebels south OF TOrreon and the
Valance Joining the troops attacking
Gomez palacio.
This gave the rebels in the army in
<ront Of Gomez palacio about 1000
men. II was not until after darkness
fell after the artillery duel had ragged
all day long. that the federal artillery
weakened and the order for an ad-
Vance cot Ia be given.
Villa on IFrin~ Line.
General villa was on the firing line
~ person ali during the battle. hav-
fpg n forse shO' under him Several
bullets pierced his coat
When the foderals began to give way
Villa sent word 90 all his generals !
that a general assault would be made
on Torreon from all sides late r tesday. !
lie said ne expected 10 be in Torreon
before Wednesday.
Early Tuesday Villa car/e here by |
automobile and talked over the tele-
graph wire with Chihuahua city and |
.Iuarez, later returning 90 the frsnt.
CLEVELAND. O.-The police have |
enlisted in the don't swear" move |
fr.a 4