El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-04-06
YelascO Destroys Supplies

IS gong on rapldly.
VelascO Destroys Supplies.
When Gen. RefugiO VeIasco evacu-
ated TorreOn last Thursday, he did so
in good order, after destroying such
ammunition and ordnance as he could
not transport.
Between 5000 and 5000 of his men
went with him in two columns of about
even strength, one in the direction of
Saltillo ana the other in a southern di-
rectiOn.
The latter may be bound for zacate-
cas-, with the ultimate purpose of re-
joining the other column for the de-
fence Of southern cities or may cut
across the country and also seek to join
SaltilIo
Everywhere through the country in
which they are retreating are rebel
hands belonging to the brigades of Gems.
Gutierrez and Natera IN the south and
southeast, and that of Gen. Pablo Con
zales in the region of Monterey.
Cotton Taxed Heavily.
Sixty thousand bales of cotton cap
tured in TOrreOn will be heavily taxed
by Villa before the stock is released to
the owners.
It is hard now to realize that this
city only three days ago was the scene
of a great battle, with a requiem of shot
and shell sounding over the heaps OF
dead in the streets and houses Great
pyres had incinerated the bodies and
the wounded had been removed to tenn
pOrary hospitals.
Olu Lie Resumed
In the shell-scarred and pullet-punc-
tured market building with its stalls
for the products of the farm and its
little cook shops. this morning there
was something like the old activity.
In the darkness of early morning, the
rustic Mexican drove his laden DON
keys with their tinkling bells through
the streets and into the market place
There were squalling chickens and
squealing pigs. goats, sheep and steers,
and some early garden truck, for the
irrigation season is in full swing now
There were even q few traWberrieS,
which an officer bought and presented
Rebel Soldiers Feast.
From the cook stalls came the savory
OdOr of coffee and frying meats, or
tOrtillas done to a turn, and StewS so
rich in peppers that none but the &C
custOmed Mexican palate could eat
them without tears streaming from his
eyes. The soldiers. long deprived, ate
with the utmost relish and looked nun
grily for more.
In the streets shutters were being
taken down and the meager wares of
the stores, depleted by long collation.
from sources Of supply, being arranged
attractively on counters and IN show
cases and windows.
The old familiar sueak Of the street
cars, as they rounded sharp corners
was heard. and passengers Travelled on
the line between this city, Gomez Pa
laciO and Lerdo as of yOre-
The most poignant reminder of the
battle was in the arrival of wounded
soldiers being brought in from the field
hospitals where they fell in the pre-
liminary battles at Sacramento, Noe
and dozen other towns through which
Villa cut his way to his great victory.
Rich Families Flee City.
The retreat of Gen. Velasco, the fed
eral commander, from this city, recalls
that of Gen. MercadO from Chihuahua
When the latter fled to Ojinaga upon
10 oh IF ri ~ 9
and their retainers. plainly Identified
as Huertistas. fled with him. taking
with them such valuables as they could
carry.
A similar train followed Velasco, for
investigation shows that their houses
have been abandoned and left stripped
of easily portable property. TheSe
homes are now serving as quarters IoT
rebel officers and men. At Gomez "a
lacto and at Lerdo conditions were lne
same-the Cientificos had fled into the
desert there. with their women ana
children, to face the hardships OF thirst
hunger and exposure until klndIleI
section Of the country is reached IN tne
direction of Monterey. Velasco cut the
wires behind him and it could not be
learned here whether Gen. Herrera mao
succeeded in checking the retreat OF
| not
Clearing Wreckage; Getting Water.
WreCkage Of buildings which TOPPED
into the streets is being carried away
.
| which are constructed of mud, watel
and straw, are working overtime 1oI
the expected boom in rebuilding I'm
der the ruins of one building, -whlcI
was wrecked by a shell, the Dodles o.
10 federal soldiers were found, anC
similar discoveries are expected TO b'
made as the debris Of other buildings
1 is taken away.
Villas first attention in the work o.
rehabilitation was directed to the watel
I supply. The reservoir connections OF
( Cerro de Ia Cruz and Cerro del Pilal
pumpine- stations but it is believed thai
! water viii be running through the
mains by tomorrow.
/ Army supplies Food.
/ sunDIied with food by the army but the
| task is a. great one. Beef driven II
from OutIving ranches. forms the rrin-
/ ciaal food. At the distributing stations