Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-19

Maria, Tex, Jan. 1S.-Footsore,
ragged, almost famished from their
three days march on foot of sixty
seven miles over a wind-swept noun
tain road, the $500 Mexican federal
soldiers and generals routed from
Ojinaga, Mexico, by the rebels, with
1,067 women and about 800 children, ar
rived Sunday within a few miles of
Maria, whence they are to be trans
ported by train to Fort Bliss at Ri
Paso.
The ragged remnant Of the Huerta
army. which sought asylum In this
country rather than face possible ex-
termination by the rebels. on Tuesday
will be interned formally at Fort Bliss
as wards Of the government They
are to be held there indefinitely on the
footing Of prisoners Of war. It will
be the first time the American army
has been called upon to shelter, feed
and clothe an entire division Of q
foreign army, which also includes six
disarmed generals.
None of those in the unique caravan
which with its disarmed Mexican
soldiers. women. children. horses. bur-
ros and doss struggled for miles along
the road. was more visibly affected
on coming within sight OF Maria than
General Salvador Mercado. Huerta's
former military chief. who ordered the
evacuation Of oJinasa in face Of the
rebels fire.
General Msreado In March.
General Msrsado. riding ON . horse
his uniform covered with duet, was
confessedly humtliAted nor only at the
defeat Of his army and the necessity
for his flight to foreign SOIL but also
because OF q report from Mexico City
that he would be court-martialed
try. ,,.,..-.
Beside general Mereado and mingl-
ing with the United States cavalry
feated Gen erals Castro. Aduna, Landa,
Of their swords, but some Of them still
gold braid which had not been torn
of Or worn away in the flight from
Ojinaga.
The picturesque march afoot through
American territory Of 90 many foreign
soldiers and women with their bag
gage abounded with incident. The
birth Of child. the death OF several
wounded soldiers. the search for water
in the desert. the constant strasg1ing
away from the line Of march and the
rounding up again Of scores Of the
refugees were some Of the difficulties
with which the United States cavalry
men. commanded BY Major McNamee,
had to contend. Tho Mexicans, guard
ed virtually as prisoners. outnumbered
the escorting American soldiers ten to
one
Whole Line Exhausted.
Viewed from hilltop. tho oncomine
army as 1t zigzagged through the
mountain passes and reached back
ward into the dusty distance ten miles
away was a picture Of exhaustion. al
though the prospect Of soon reaching
the railway and ample rations seemed
to revive courage.
Since they were routed from Ojinags
by General Villas rebel forces and
compelled to cross the border into the
United States at Preside. Texas. eight
days ago, the Mexican soldiers have
had only scant food supplies. Their
march Of sixty-seven miles to the near
est railway station after they had been
disarmed and held prisoners by the
American troops was made possible
by the establishment Of three camps
provided en- route, but these camps
were supplied with limited rations be-
cause all foodstuffs and water had &c
be carried by wagon from Maria.
Many Of the foreigners were poorly
clad and without blankets. so that theiI
suffering at night was intense. Hence
the hopeful look that appeared in .he
faces Of the dirt-begrimed men and
women when they were told that the
march was almost over.
1t was particularly remarked by the
American officers that Of all the
marchers the Mexican women were tho
best. There were instances Of women
who yielded their places on horseback
or burros to men who found themsel-
YES tired out with the walk.
This conhrmen the prediction O,
General Mercado that the women
would in no way impede the march Of
the column. as they were all hardy
accustomed to an outdoor life and ca
pable Of enduring much fatigue.
The marching column was stretched
over great distance to prevent con
fusion and to reduce as much az DOS
sible the suffering from the dust tina
rose In great clouds from the wei
Travelled road. All semblance of tn
uniform ranks Of an army was gone. I
was curious mingling Of people an.
animals. while in places the wome,
with their red dresses and shawIs CAV
g. touch Of brilliant color to the scene
Wherever there was space in the lin
there was almost sure to be a mongre
dog. determined to follow its master.
A little group Of women by the road
side. formed by the permission of thos
In charge. attested the birth Of q child
A rooster. saved by q doting maste
i from tine wTeosk of Gjinasa. cTowsa +.
triumph from the back Of a burro t
which he was carefully attached wit
q leather string.
A little boy sang in q low tone
wild air. half Spanish and half savage
and the music-loving natives crowde
closer to encourage him with loud ap
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