The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-02
FEDERALS READY
TO CROSS BORDER
Army at ojinaga Mcrcilcssly
Attacked for Three Days
by Rebels
FEAR FLIGHT IN DISORDER
Wounded and Dcserters Struggle
Through River to Reach
United States.
FEAR FLIGHT IN DISORDER

mas eicNen generals, Otncf OIuCefS, ana
about 1000 soldiers. after 4 mercilcss
three days attack by General Ortegas
5000 rebels. Tonight appeared ready
to flee in disorder across the river in
to the United States.
With line Of struggling wounded
ut tie border to indicate the extent
of the carnage and deserters already
appearing In numbers. Major NJ. N
McNamee. commanding the border pa
troll, made every plan liz anticipation
OF the flight
Less than 500 cavalrymen, mostly
from the Fifteenth Cavalry, form the
border patrol here. TO this small
body of American soldiers would fall
the task OF surrounding and disarm-
ing perhaps 1000 foreign soldiers or
3peO OF them, IL 1000 have peen dis
abled or killed. The ability of the
american soldiers . to handle the
refugees wns based on the assumption
that the rebels would pursue the Fed
erals merely to the river.
An estimate. as carefully as could be
obtained. of the wounded on both sides
was 1000. Most of the wounded were
left on the battlefield. The less dis
abied reached the river. and were
cared for by the Red Cross on this
side. Scores OF uninjurcd Federal de-
serters In defiance of the American
patrol crossed the river. All were dis
armed and forced back to the Mexi
can side. Moro than 200 rifles, other
arms and ammunition were taken.
Number of Dead Not Known.
1t was impossible to learn accurately
the number of dead and the belief that
it would be great was based on The
number of wounded. Many were bo-
iieved to have died through lack of
medical attention, as Red Cross Of
hcials were not permitted to ford the
river, even under Red Cross flag.
Those who ventured TO help the wound
ed from the river risked the danger
OF being shot. A few shots fell close
to, or on the American side, north
of Presidio. but no one on this side
was injured. Major McNamee sent Cen
eral Ortega n warning that any further
itring across the river might entail
grave consequences.
So far Major NIcNamee had adhered
to policy OF sending back all of
the unwounded combatants. Should all
of the Federals come across they would
be dlsarmed, hut they might be per-
mitted to remain on this side, under
temporary arrest on grounds of hu.
manity.
AS for the battle at Ojinnga, one
mile back from the river, 1t proceeded
unlnterruptedly, with the Federals con-
fined in and lighting from the adobe
huts In the village, while the rebels,
always drawing closer, fired artillery
and small guns from the hills and ap-
proaches
Soon after daylight the Federals
made desperate attempt to rally.
They even extended their line of fire
outward. but this brought heavier fir
ing by the rebels that sent the de-
tenders back to their inner defenses.
Thereafter the relative position OF
the opposing forces remained much the
same. with General ortega driving in
shot and shell from three sides, while
General Francisco Castro's Federals
fired from what vantage points they
had within the horse corral, the Gus
toms houses and trenches.
Scene Is Uneuunled.
Never in border history had there
been scene equal to that OF the Fed
eral wounded and deserters who
scrambled to reach the United States.
while from the rear there still poured
parting shower of shells and bullets.
The rivers edge was ragged fringe
of smoke -begrimmed, manned and half
naked soldiers, some rushing pell nell
into the river, some crying from the
pain OF their wounds others crawling,
because OF shattered limbs over rocks
and cncti, some greediy stopping to
drink the muddy water. and all beg
ging the Americans on the opposite side
for shelter from the turmoil from
which they had fled.
The river ped is OF SOFT mud with
water in the middle about waist deep
At one point 200 Federals. all carry
ing arms. waded across. They were
surrounded by handful OF United
states troops, disarmed and forced
back.
The wounded were picked up as soon
as they reached this shore.
The protest of the unwounded Fed
erals against being forced back into
back, but wailing as they went that
they would surely be killed without
their arms.