Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1914-03-27
i. S. TROOPS WHIP
HUERTA SOLDIERS
Mexican FederaIs Open Battle
With Americans.
CARRY AWAY THEIR DEAD
Engagement Near Del Rio, Tex, Lasts
Fifteen Minutes-Fierce Battle
CARRY AWAY THEIR DEAD
Engagement Near Del Rio, Tex, Lasts
Fifteen Minutes-Fierce Battle
Raging at Torreon-vilIa Said
to Be Gaining.

Eagle Pass, Tex, March 25.-Cap-
tain Winterburn commanding United
States troopers along the border near
Del Rio, Tex, in an official report
Monday says only two of his men had
a part in the battle with federal
force of 800 men at McKee's Crossing,
in which six of the Mexicans were
slain and several wounded.
The sharp but slow fight was too
much for the Mexicans, who fed, car
rying their dead and wounded with
them.
No American was injured
The clash across the international
line was precipitated, say official re-
ports to headquarters, by the persist
ent firing of the federals at fleeing
constitutionalists, who had gained
American territory and surrendered to
United States troops. Three horses
held by American cavalrymen were
killed by those shots.
For ten minutes Captain Winter
burn of Troop E, Fourteenth cavalry,
signaled to the federals to cease firing,
but his signals were disregarded and
his own men were in danger. Then he
ordered the Americans, a. detachment
of troopers, to fire on the Mexicans.
The sharp fusillade that followed
lasted about fifteen minutes.
The federals captured Las Vacas,
opposite Del Rio,~ but abandoned the
town Sunday, and afterward 800 Of
them cornered As rebels at McKee's
crossing and attacked them. The
rebels fought hard, but were forced by
numbers to flight. They started to
wade and swim the Rio Grande The
federals, however, kept firing at them
constantly, even after many of them
reached American soil and surren-
dered to Captain Winterburn. Of the
45 who started across the river only
twenty-seven got ashore, the others
being killed in the water.
A rebel company opposite Langtry,
Tex, is reported moving toward Las
Vacas. A battle between that force
and the federals is expected. In conse-
quence Colonel Sibley, commanding at
Fort Clarke, increased Captain Winter
burns border patrol preserving neu-
trality.
Washington, March 25.-Approvai of
the action of the American troopers
who returned the fire of Mexican fed
erals across the Texas border was ex-
pressed in official circles. Army re-
ports to the war department told of
the battle
Even if the shots fired were directed
entirely at the rebels, officials say
that from an international law stand
point the offense was just as great as
If they had fired at Americans, for the
rebel fugitives were under the protec-
ton of the United States government
Ell Verjel, Mex, March 25.-Fighting
of the most sanguinary character oc-
Cured in the streets of Gomez Palacio.
The rebels took the water tank on
Cerro de la Pila, the Birmingham soap
factory and the Quartet.
General Velasco came out of Tor
reon in force and made Gomez Palacio,
the point of main contention in the
battle. Villas wounded were being
taken from the front to Ell Verjel in
large numbers. The battle is raging
yet. Losses on both sides are heavy.
General Villa says the town is virtual
ly his at this hour.
Ell Verjel, Durango, March 25.-The
g. - Dol NJ 20. re q,
few hours. The constitutionalist
artillery has been placed on the plains
less than a mile from the town. The
federaIs can be plainly seen moving
their guns from Pila Hill and appar-
emily planning to retreat on Torreon.
Villa is moving his infantry across the
plains and intends to take the place by
assault Urbina's brigade occupied
Lerdo, the federal garrison retreating
without fight. The great soap factory
of Juan Birmingham on the outskirts