Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-23

Constitutionalist Field Base, Berme-
 Jilio, Durango, Mexico, March 22-
 Having cleared the way for a direct
 attack on Torreon by his success on
 Friday and Saturday in establishing a
 base here. and driving in the federal
 advance guard from Mapimi, Tlahua-
 Ito, Sacramento, Noe, Birmingham
 Junction and smaller points in the en-
 Nirons of the Huerta stronghold, Gen eral Francisco Villa, the rebel chief left here today for the south The zig-zag front of khaki-clad rebels, in cIuding the almost naked Indians who
 offered their services and those of
 their bows and arrows at Chihuahua
 month ago, but who have been given modern uniforms and arms, was near est the enemy last night at Britting- ham Junction, only seven miles north of TorreOn. Other columns were i fifteen, twenty-tWo and even more miles away, but all were reported in motion along the route opened by the vanguard in the direction of Torreon. Possible Resistance at La PiIa.
 Before leaving for the front, Gen eral Villa said he doubted whether the federals would make further resistance until his assault on their
 main position takes place, although there were rumors that the enemy would make show of resistance at Gomez PlaciO, a suburb of Torreon. GOIleZ IdIdClO lies III the SDaQOW 1 a great mountain known as Cerro La Pila, which the federals are reported | to have fortified. If this proves true 1 the position must be taken, as the big 1 guns have ample power to cover the three miles between the mountains and TorTeon.
 It is said that the manning of La Pila would be legitimate part of 1 the defence of TorreOn, although its ] comparative isolation would make sup 1 port from other parts of the federal i detenses virtually impossible. The de- ] lenders would be in danger of being : absolutely cut off and for this reason l the rebels doubt that the enemy if ! he is really there, would make more | than a brief defense before falling | back on the main force.
 Federal Advance Column Put to Rout. The first important move of the | past week took place when General i Villa, having appeared suddenly from ] Chihuahua, set his troops in motion 1 early last Friday morning from Yer mo, which is about 100 miles north of 1 Torreon.
 i Fifteen miles north of this city he 1 came upon a strong advance column of l the federals who are believed to have i been under orders to retreat on ap- ! pearance of the enemy. The appear ance of the rebels was so sudden. how 1 ever, that the retreat. became almost a | rout. The federals, like the rebels, | were mounted and the encounter be- : came q sort Of steeplechase with the i purSuers. smothered in the dust kick ! ed up by their mounts, firing blindly | from the saddle, not in the least inn | peded by the scattered bullets which 1 the federaIs sometimes turned to fire: tos Federal Bodies Picked Up. | The fight continued at a gallon right ] into the Sfs-aaFS of Tirr1a ~stN vrha | most of the federal losses occurred. ! The federals are believed to have car 1 ried off those who were wounded in | this city, as only three were founG. i The rebel loss was virtually nothing. On the heels of tht cavalry came ! other troops and General Benavides i with a superior force was sent by rail | against Tlahualito, a town nortfea st | Of Permejillo.
 l Another Federal Detachment Routed. 1 At a great irrigation ditch, shortly after leaving Bermejillo, BenaVideS ! came upon federal force which he ! estima ted to number 400. An hours ! engagement ensued, as result of ! which the rebel commander rcpori ed , to General Villa the rout of the enemy, 1 leaving go dead on the field. His own
 loss, he reported as three killed and seven wounded.
 1 This force of government troops l seems to have been far in advance of ! support and the town of Tladua ito
 was garrisoned by rebel squad with out resistance.
 Mapimi Occupied Without a Fight.
 Meanwhile General Herrera occu- i pied Santa Clara and sent a force to ! bridge the ditch where BenaVides had i vanished opposition. Another force of ! rebels under General Urbina had nov f ed on Mapimi, one of the most inn portant cities in the T0rreon district 1 and occupied il without a fight I-r- bina was reported ill today but his ! troops were said to be moving south under Colonel Borunda
 Other rebel columns whose positions ! cannot be given with exactituce were understood last night To be drgyr;77s- s- : closer to the invested city from ybe ] south and southwest.