The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-23
QUTPOSTS DRIVEN
ACKUPONC CITY
Of TORREON
Rebels Win In First Sklrmlsh.
Ing of Campaign
INDIANS IN VILLAS ARMY
Federals May Make One More Stand
Before Trey Retire Within the
Fortificaslons
INDIANS IN VILLAS ARMY

Bermejlllo, Durango. Mex. March
23.-Having cleared the way for d.
rect attack on Torreon by his success
on Friday and Saturday in establish
ing a base here and driving In the
federal advance guard from Mapimi,
Tlahualilo, Sacramento, Noe. Brit
tingham Junction and smaller points
in the environs of the Huerta strong
hold, Gen Francisco Villa, the rebel
chief, left the constitutionalist field
base for the south. The zig-zag front
of khaki-clad rebels, including the al
most naked Indians who offered
their services and those of their
bows and arrows at Chihuahu a
month ago, but who have been given
modern uniforms and arms, was
nearest the enemy Saturday night at
Birmingham Junction, only seven
miles north OF Torreon. Other col
umns were Is, % and even more
miles away, but all were reported in
motion along the route opened by
the vanguard in the direction of Tor
reon.
Before leaving for the front, Gen.
Villa said he doubted whether the
federals would make further ress-
lance until his assault on their main
position takes place, although there
were rumors that the enemy would
make a show of resistance at Gomez
Palacio. suburb of Torreon. Co.
mez Palacio lies in the shadow of a
great mountain known rs Cerro la
Pila, which the federals are reported
to have fortified. If this proves true,
the position must be taken, as the
big guns have ample power to cover
the three miles between the noun
tains and Torreon.
II is said that the manning of La
Pila would be legitimate part Of the
defense OF Torreon, although its
comparative isolation would make
support from other parts of the fed
eral defenses virtually impossible.
The defenders would be in danger OF
being absolutely cut off, and for this
reason the rebels doubt that the
enemy, If he is really there, will
make more than long range defense
before falling back upon the main
force.
The first important move Of the
past week took place when Gen villa,
having appeared suddenly from Chi
huahua set his troops in motion ear
ly Friday morning from Yermo.
which is about 100 miles north of
Torreon. Fifteen miles north OF
Bermejillo he came upon strong ad-
vance column of the federals who are
believed TO have been under orders
to retreat on appearance of the enc
my. The appearance of the rebels
was so sudden, however, that the re-
treat became almost a rout. The
federals. like the rebels were mount
ed and the encounter became a sort
OF steeplechase with the pursuers
smothered in the dust kicked up by
their mounts, firing blindly from the
saddle not in the least impeded by
the scattered bullets which the fed
erals some lines turned to fire.
The first continued to gallop
right into the streets Of the little
city where most of the federal loss
es occurred. The bodies Of 10S were
picked up by Villas men. The fed
erals are believed to have carried off
those who were wounded in the city
as only three were found. The rebel
loss was virtually nothing.
On the heels of the cavalry came
other troops and Gen Benavides with
a superior force was sent by rail
against Tiahualilo, a town northeast
Of Bermejillo. At a great irrigation
ditch, soon after leaving Bermejillo,
Benavides came upon a federal force
which he estimated TO a number 400.
An hours engagement ensued as a
result Of which the rebel commander
reported to Gen villa the rout Of the
enemy leaving 80 dead on the fed.
His own loss he reported. as three
killed and seven wounded.