The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-08
ToRRE0M FINALLY FALLS.
AFTER BLOODY BATTLE WHOLE
CITY Is TAKEN WITH MANY
PRISONERS.
Stcrming Of Stronghold AccOmpan-
led by Hardest and Bloodicst
Fighting of War-Fcdcrals Fleeing
and Rebels In Pursuit-Campaisn
Lasted Two Weeks,

Lasted Two Weeks.
Juarcz, Mex. April 2.-Torreon
fell completely into the hands of the
rebels at 1920 o'clock tonight, ac-
cording to announcement made here
tonight by Gen. Venustiano Carranza.
The news first was announced to
the world when the bugler in front
OF Carranzas residence blew the
staccato notes of victory. The paean,
Carranza said, was sounded here even
before ii was heard in Torreon, Villa
delaying out of compliment 20 his
chief.
The meagre bulletins excitedly an
nounced victory after the bloodiest
series Of battles know to modern
Mexico said that Villa captured a
large number of prisoners and that
the fleeing federal remnant was be-
ing pursued.
Whether Velasco. the federal COM
mander. was captured was not stated.
There was heavy fighting today, it is
understood, and the end came when
after capturing the three remaining
barracks held in the city by the fed
erals, the rebels stormed the trenches
and barbed wire entanglements of
Canyon de Guarache.
The prisoners captured are be-
lieved to have been the defenders
OF the barracks. while the troops in
the canyon. which forms an egress
from the hill girt city. were able to
escape.
The campaign against the federal
stronghold Of Torreon, the main OBJ
Jeet of the rebel campaign, began
suddenly two weeks ago after Gen.
Villa had spent months in making
the most careful preparation.
The rebel loss in this campaign is
said to be more than 1000 killed and
wounded. Trains loaded with wound
ed have been arriving daily at Chi
huahua for the last week.
The rebel commander moved with
a rapidity hitherto unknown in Mex
lean warfare. He worked his men in
shifts. and as one shift became ex-
hausted he sent fresh hosts against
the enemy. A number of small towns
OF lesser Importance in a military
sense fell first Mapimi. Noe and Sac
ramento. where a bloody battle was
fought. This opened a path for the
main attack.
Next came Lerdo and Gomez Pala-
clio. populous suburbs Of Torreon,
and all three connected by a belt
street car line. Lerdo was not de-
Tended but il took three main as
saults i'm which the rebels lost heav-
lily to take Gomez Palacio.
In the final attack on the city
troops were withdrawn from Lerdo,
whereupon the federals occupied 1t
and another sanguinary conflict was
necessary to retake 1t.
Last Friday. six days ago, Gen.
Monclovio Herrera, with his own bril-
gade and part OF Benavides' Zaragoza
brigade of veterans, made the first
dash against Torreon. He entered
by the east and penetrated to the bull
ring north OF the centre Of the town
before he was checked.
Street fighting. in which hand
grenades were the most useful weap-
ons used. followed.
Gen. Villa. then at Gomez Palacio,
that he would join the at
tack, taking supreme command. He
announced also that the newspaper
men with him would not be allowed
to send any news whatsoever until
the town was completely in his hands.
Tonight came the bugle call of VIC
tory Mexicans recognized 1t in flash
and the streets became thronged in
stantly. Out of the saloons and gam
bling halls the crowd rushed until all
places where crowds congregate were
empty and the throngs stOrmed up
the street to Carranza's residence.
Repeatedly the bugler sounded the
call and IL great wave OF cheering
arose. The electric lights strung about
tho ra,rap-n roe;iapco lost c,,,I, a..