Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-01-06
HoStiIities Suddenly Cease
When Army Under 0rtega
Is Taken Seven Miles West
to Await ReinforcementS,
NO FEDERAL ACTIVITY
RESPONSIBLE FOR MOVE
Possible That RevoIutioniSt
Commander May Be Plan
niQg Surprise and Intends to
Make Sudden Attack,


Marta, Tex, Jan. 5.--Hostilities he
tween the northern division Of the
Mexican federal army. defending the
forts at Oiinaga, Mexico, opposite Pre-
gldio, and General Ortega's 5000 re-
bells today ceased as suddenly as they
began a week ago. Without any fed
eral activity to provoke his move.
General Ortega withdrew all his troops
seven miles westward along the Rio
Grande, supposedly to await the ar
rival Of reinforcements from Chihua-
hua.
information also had reached tho
rebels that large body Of federals
which had been on the way from Ji-
minez under the command of General
Argumcndo were within four days
march Of Ojinaga and were planning
to steal up on Ortega's rear and res
cue the federal garrison with its half
score Of generals who were driven
from the interior to the border
Although both armies, after six days
az fighting, had been resting since
daylight and not a shot had been fired
since then. General Ortega suddenly
divided his army into three forma-
tions and in the blue haze which has
hung over the valley from previous
battle. started 70 move along the bor-
der away from Oiinaga
General Pascual Ordzco comman-
der cf federal volunteers. who was
sent ont to scout, reported that the re-
bells evidently had taken up a position
TO await more forces
General Ortesa's departure was re-
earded by the federal garrison as I'M
dlcating that both armies will delay
further fighting until both of them
have been strengthened
Should large numbers of federals
arrive from the interior, it was be-
loved, battle on larger scale vii
ensue. with a. prospect that the fed.
erals viii attempt to do more thar
defend their position.
General Francisco Castro. comman.
der of the federal regular troops, ex-
pressed confidence that il he is Joined
10y General Argumendo as is reported
from Mexico City, he will be able to
take the aggressive and seriously han
dicap General Villas projected cam.
paign southwark.
So long as federals remain along the
border in great number, General Cas-
tro said, Villas rebel army will be
open to a rear attack because the fed.
erals have recuperated from much OF
the disorder which attended their
flight from Chihuahua city and have
gathered courage from the failure OF
the rebels so far 90 take Ojinaga
As soon as the rebel force had clear
ed from sight the federals wandered
over the battlefield ia pick up wound
ed. The dead were burned and% after
dark, fires dotting the landscape
showed where the killing had been
heaviest. Some of the women refugees
who had taken shelter on the Ameri-
can side are to be returned TO OIL
naga
Colonel Cruz Roza and two rebel
captains, taken prisoners with an au-
tomobile load Of ammunition from
Chihuahua, We're executed in the
plaza at noon. The federals have sew
eral hundred prisoners captured in va
rious skirmishes.
The removal at least temporarily OF
so much fighting within n mile Of Pre-
sdio caused great relief to the United
states border patrol under Major Nc
Nance and the Red Cross officials
who have been made to bear the bur
den Of caring for the sick and wosnd-
ed from both armies.
No definite view was obtainable as
to whether General Ortcga in with
drawing was to attempt some surprise
to be executed at once or intends
merely to await reinforcements. how
ever long that might take.