Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-28

Gomez Palacio, Mexico, March 2T- Four days of fighting, including three desperate assaults by rebels, were crowned today when General Francisco Villa moved into this city and es- tablished his headquarters within three miles of TorFeon-
 The final and deciding assault was delivered yesterday It was preceded by a bombardment, after which the in fantry and cavalry dashed into the streets.
 Rifles, machetes, pistols and hand grenades were used in a hundred diff ferent encounters in the narrow thoroughfares- The grenades, of home manufacture, were lighted with the cigarettes which are an unofficial part of the equipment of every Mexican SOL dier-
 Villas Loss Was Heavy.
 General Villa does not yet know his own loss. except that il was heavy. The wounded suffered terribly from thirst and many died because of lack of water and surgical attention.
 The dead of both sides were mingled In the street or found huddled under the piles of earth which had once been adobe houses or corTals, wreck ed by the rebel shells.
 Veterans say that no more furious battle ever was fought in Mexico. It was a. deli1iur- General Villa did not stop to mourn his losses. but with characteristic energy began prepara- tfons to move on Torreon- He ex- poets to cooperate with 1000 men un- der General Herrera, who is under orders to attack the town from the east
 Tine newspaper correspondents were permitted to enter the city with Villa Everywhere rebel soldiers were en- gagged in rescaing the injured and talk ing them to the railroad. The day was not, and the air fairly sIneit of stale blood. Those with flesh wounds dis Aained to desert and many 8 soldier, Nmptng from a wound in the leg or with one arm supported in a blood stained bandage was seen among the stretcher bearers
 Rebels Had Worst of 1t on First Day
 Villas first assault in force took place four days ago. There was 8 comparatively small number of feder- alS in the city and premature reports of victory were sent out. Soon, how ever. the federals received reinforce ments and in the desperate fighting which followed the rebels had rather the worst of ii, and General Villa with drew
 The next day. Wednesday, General Angeles, the artillery commander, shelled the city all day and part of the night Villa had learned that the fed eraI commander General Nelasco, had concentrated his forces in the town ana Was DiIuSSiL III Iile lFehCneS lf- sFiring his men to do their duty and the rebel leaders under cover of the bOmbardment concentrated every available man for a fresh assault
 This was delivered Wednesday night but it was not decisive, although the rebels held their stone roundhouse and few other natural defences in the outskirts of the city. Last night the third and final assault was delivered. General Villa, grimy with dust and sweat, a red bandanna handkerchief about his neck, participa ted. He rode mp and down the lines. swearing and cheering, cursing and ca Hing on the saints. At times he apparently was calm. and again he was furious.
 Wounded Anxious to Go to Front.
 Through it all he urged his men forward. and all seemed 10 realize that the attack was the last one Human flesh could stand no more of the heat, the thirst and hunger. and the cruel scenes which followed one another un- til the whole picture was a confused blur of blood and fire, where men In their dying agonies whined for water or cried out uncsnny Vivas. petitions to Our Lady of Guadalupe. and other targon of deIirium.
 On the way into the city from Fl Ferjel this morning, and particIIarly In the streets Of the town itself Gen erai Villa was constantly called on to return the salutes of the wounded
 some of these were limping. not to the rear, but to the front 10 catch up with their comrades. Some of them already placed on hospital trains, es- capped and returned to their commands Others rsSSining consciousness as