The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-24
Rebels in Desperate Battle
for Full Possession of
Stragetic Key of Gomez
PalaciO.
FEDERALS RETREAT
Mexican War Office Attach
es Say it Will Be ImpOs-
sible to Attack City of Tor
reOn.

VILLAS HEADQUARTERS, Next
co. Gomez Balatio, March PA ter
rifle battle has been raging at the
gates of Torreon for eight hours. The
grand assault by the Constitutional
lists began shortly before daylight.
The advantage so far has been with
the Constitutionalists.
The fall of Torreon is believed inn
minent. The federal achievements
sent out from Torreon to help troops
attempting to hold Gomez Palacio
have been driven back in utter rout.
The Constituencies are storming
Torreon under cover of a heavy artil-
lery fire, directed by Gen. Angeles,
minister of war in the Constitutional
list cabinet. 1t is believed that more
than 500 men have been killed and
wounded since the battle began,
though accurate figures are impossi-
have been taken.
assaiJing Gen. Nelasco's troops, Gen
attacking troops.
The Constitutionalsts suffered
heavy losses when they made a fur
IouS Ou iciIedllIS l6utIdlS DIS
they crossed the Nazar River to get
behind the Notifications at Torreon.
Trying to flank Gen. Argumedo's
troops the rebels were checked by d
heavy fire from machine guns sta
toned on the south bank of the river
More than 300 rebels were moved
down at this point The federals got
across with slight loss.
Heavy Smpka could no soon ricj, ~
from Torreon this morning. 1t is be-
lieved several buildings were set afire
by rebel Shells
Shortly before nine o'clock today, a
terrific explosion was heard just to
the northeast of Torreon. 1t is be-
lleved to have been a federal mine set
off by the TorreOn defenders when a
big force Of rebels approached
BERMEJ1LLO, State of Sonora
Mex--March pa (Constitutionalists
Base)-A desperate battle is being
fought today between the Constitutions
alists and Federals for possession OF
the strategic key to Gomez Palacio, a
few miles north of Torreon
Throughout the greater part of the
night the conflict ragged with the Con-
stitutsonalists victorious in the first
part of the fight. The Federals were
driven from their trenches, but upon
receiving fresh re-enforcements from
Torreon, they made a fierce assault
upon Villas crew.
According to dispatches from the
front. brought here at a. m. by auto
mobile from the battle line, the Con
sttutionalists occupied the suburbs of
Gomez -PalaciO at 9 O'Clock last night
nff irty -fcJI
fighting with artillery.
The artillery, under General Felipa
Angeles, chief artilleryist of the reb-
els army, succeeded in silencing the
heavy guns of the outer works of the
Federals, and the order was given to
advance. With shells screaming over
their heads, the Constituencies
started forward in the darkness. Be
hind and before them the bla ckness
of night was pierced by the continu
GUS lightning of the artillery. Amid
the rebel yell the Constituencies
poured over the fresh earthWorks on
the outskirts of Gomez Palacio.
Once in the town proper, however
the engagement gained in violence
with hand to hand fighting in all the
streets.
From the nearby hills troops poured
llOl IRE lutO llle lOWI, apparently
careless whether they killed friend OF
foe.
The superior forces OF the Consti
tutionalists gained them a victory and
the Federals gave way in the drec
ton of TorreOn.
Before the Federals had retreated
far they marched into the ranks of re
Inducements which had been sen,
from TOrreOn. Lines We're reformed
and the government forces returned tc
the attack, the battle raging more
fiercely than ever.
The battle died down finally, both
sides resting on their arms for re
newal of the conflict at dawn. Gen
eral Villa ordered a general advance
at daybreak, confident that the FEEDER
ais could not stand before his greater
number and superior ordinance. The
rebels also had the advantage in posi-
ton, having stormed the Federal works