The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-04-10

FederaIs are leaving Torreon in flight.
After eleven days OF terrible fighting,
in which we lost ], 800 wounded and
500 killed, and the Federals, for the
enormous number OF bodies buried,
must have had over 1000 killed, and
their number OF wounded / am unaele
to estimate, our forces have full pos
session OF Torreon. regret to an
nouuce that among the wounded were
Gen. Yzabel Robles and Gen. Calixto
Contreras. ! congratulate and salute
you with respect and esteem that have
always had for you.
Your subordinate,
''GEN. Francisco VILLA,
"Commander-in- Chief Of Constitu-
tional forces OF Chihuahua.
The soldiers were exhausted from
fighting, and when it became known
that the enemy had been routed most
Of them tell asleep in streets wherever
they we're. The streets we're full Of
dead and wounded.
The news was first announced to the
world when the bugler in front OF Car
ranza's residence blew the stacatto notes
OF victory. The p@an, Carranza said.
was sounded here even before it was
heard in Torreop, Villa delaying out OF
compliment to his chief.
The campaign against the Federal
stronghold Of Torreon, the main object
of the rebel campaign, began two weeks
ago, after Gen. Villa had spent months
10 making the most careful preparation.
REBEL LOSS 1000.
The rebel loss in this campaign is said
to be over Q, 900 in killed and wounded
Trains loaded with the latter have been
arriving daily in Chihuahua for the last
week.
The rebel commander moved with a
rapidity hitherto unknown in Mexican
warfare. He worked his men in shifts,
and as one shift became exhausted he
sent fresh hosts against the enemy.
Any number OF small towns Of lesser
importance in military sense fell FIRST
Mapilni, Noe and Sacramento, where
bloody battles were fought. This opened
path for the main attack.
Next came Lerdo and Gomez Pallacio,
populous suburbs Of Torreon, and all
three connected by belt street car line.
Lerdo was not defended, but it took
three main assaults, in which the rebels
lost heavily, to take Gomez Pallacio.
FINAI. ATTACK.
In the final attack upon the city
troops we're withdrawn from Lerdo,
whereupon the Federals occupied it and
another sanguinary conflict was neces-
STATED to retake it.
Last Friday, six days ago, Gen. Mon
cloyio Herrera, with bis own brigade
and part OF Benavides' Zaragoza brig
ade OF veterans, made the first dash
against Torreon. He entered by the
east and penetrated to the bull ring
north OF the center OF the town before
HE was checked.
Street fighting, 10 which hand gra-
nades were the most useful weapons
used, followed; and news from the front,
save in meagre official bulletins received
with considerable reserve. were all that
reached the outside world.
Gen. Villa. then at. Gomez Pallacio,
announced that he would join in the
attack, taking supreme command. He
announced also that the newspaper men
with him would not be allowed to send
out any news whatever until the town
was completely 10 his hands.
ANXIOUS WAITING.
10 the thousands whose very living
hinges on conditions in Mexico there
followed period OF most anxious wait
ing. Rumors we're everywhere. and
from time to time the EederaIs asserted
that villa had been routed. but Villa
let out just enough Of his official re-
ports to bewiIder the public.
Then came the bugIe call Of victory
Mexican recognized itin q fash and the
streets became tl.roaged instantly. Out
Of the saloons and gambling halls the