The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-03-03
SPARTAN WOMEN
FROM OJ|NAGA
Made Sacrifices For Men on
Dramatic March,
NOW OUR WARDS IN TEXAS.

Procession Of HumiIiated Mexican Fed
erals and Their Families Under
American Protection at Fort Bliss
One Of the Most Pathetic Incidents
In History of the Revolution.
For the first time the American
army has been called upon to furnish
shelter, food and clothing to an en-.
tire division of foreign army, in
Guiding six disarmed generals - the
Ojinagn refugees This remnant of
the Hnerta forces. which is interned
at Fort Bliss. Tex. numbers $500 men,
with 1907 women and about 300 chill
dren. These men. women and children.
while wards OF the United States. are
held Oh the footing of prisoners Of war.
The march afoot from PresidiO
abouDded with Incidents. The birth
of child, the death of several
wounded soldiers, the search for wa
ter in the desert, the constant strag-
Cling OF refugees from the line OF
march and the rounding again were
some Of the difficulties with which
the escort OF United States cavalry had
to contend.
A Pathetic Sight.
None of those in the unique caravan
which. with its disarmed soldiers, wO-
men, children, horses, burros and dogs.
marched afoOt for three days over
wind swept mountain road was more
visibly affected than General Mer-
cado. the commander who ordered
the evacuation OF Ojinaga In face Of
the rebels 6re. Riding on horse, his
| uniform covered with dust. he was
| cOnfessedly humlllated not only at the
defeat OF his army and the necessity
| for flight to foreign soil. hut also be-
cause of report from Mexico City
that he would be court martlnled
should he return to his native country.
The other federal generals, who min
gIed with the United States cavalry
men who acted as guArds-Castr0,
Aduna. Landa, Orplnal and Romero
had given up their swords. but some
still retained on their uniforms the
bits OF gold braid which had not been
torn of.
| The marching column stretched out
over a great distance TO prevent con.
fusion ana to reduce as much as posi-.
BILE the suffering from the dust that
rose in clouds from the well Travelled
road. Al semblance of an army was
missing. Ii was a curious minglinG Of
people and animals. while in places
the women with their red dresses and
| Sbawls gave q touch Of brilliant color
to the scene.
Children. perched on the top Of bur.
rOs that were almost covered by their
burdens OF domestic property. laughed
and beat the animals with sticks
Splendid Heroisn Of Women.
Many OF the Mexicans were poorly
clad and without blankets. 80 that their
suffering at night was intense.
II was remarked by the American
officers that the women stood the
march best. There were instances of
women who yielded their places on
horseback or bnrros to men who found
themselves tired by the walk,
A little group of women by the road
side. formed by permission of those
In charge, attnsted the birth Of child
The old women who attended the
mother announced that a child had
Joined the procession, and the news
travelled Down the line, arOusing ire
OF conversation.
A rooster saved by doting master
from OjinaFa crowed Is triumph from
the hack Of bnrro TO which he was
carefully attached with leather string
The refugee camp Is mrlosed In
\ eleven miles OF barbed wire fence,
within which the Mexicans are guard
ed by United States infantry, who pa
troll the fence day and night.
An accounting of the cost Of the feed
ing. shelterfng and clothing OF the ref
ugees will be submitted regularly. ac
cording to the war department. with
the view that the amount. estimated at
Sl.500 a day. shall be made claim
against the Mexican government