El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-06
0BREG0N FIGHTS
WEST Of PUEBLi
Battle at City Is One of Most
Sanguinary in History Of
Mexican Warfare


whose army captured Puebla from
Zapatista forces Tuesday, is now fight
ing the retreating enemy west of
Puebla, in the general direction of
Mexico City, according to the latest
advices received here.
Additional reports state that PUebla.
was captured after one Of the most
sanguinary battles in the history of
Mexican warfare.
Gen. ObregOn, commanding the Car
rama troops, worked into a position
about the city Monday night with vtr-
tually all his forces, which are reported
to have aggregated not less than 10000
men. He had determined to make the
battle as short as possible and throw
nearly all his men into action, begin
ming the fighting early in the morning.
After pounding with 80 cannon the
positions of the troops of Gems. Villa
and Zapata, whose strength is esti-
mated to have been some $4,000 men,
the troops of Gen. Obregon advanced
under the fire of their opponents ar
tillery.
The topography about Puebla avails
itself easily to a force which can
utilize the heights about the city with
artillery and Obregons chief effort was
guns were. mounted to the west Of the
city, but most of the bombardment
was left to Gems. AlvardO and MaIlen,
who gained the hills to the east after
driving the Villa and Zapata men from
the ancient forts on their crests.
Slaughter Wns Heavy.
How many of the Villa and Zapata
troops escaped is not known, but early
reports of the fighting indicate that the
greater part of them were killed or
made prisoners. From these reports it
would seem that in few of the battles
slaughter been so swift and so great
Dead StreYv II Mile Field.
The hardest part of the action was
fought outside the city proper. The
dead ard wounded are said to cover the
ground at some places and to be strewn
plentifully across a field whose di-
ameter is some u miles from west to
east The bombardment from the 90
cannon was almost incessant, accord
ing to the official report.
brief message was received at
midday announcing the result of the
fighting and the garrison in Veracruz
with their bands paraded the streets
in honor Of the victory. The ringing
of church bells conveyed the news to
the populace.
Streets CIOgged With Dead.
Gen. Obregon had not sufficient data
at nightfaI to estimate the losses of
his opponents but the official reF ort
said they were unusually large. The
report also indicated that the artillery
fire of the Carranza forces did more
damage within the city of Puebla
proper than was at first indicated The
streets and plazas are said to be al
most clogged with dead and wounded
a large number Of whom were victims
of machine guns and rifle fire in the
street fighting. Three aeroplanes did
good scout work during the day, &C
cording to Obregon.
It is said that Gen. Almazan was in
charge Of the operat ions of the con-
ventiOn forces, supported by Gems
Cortes and ArgumedO Of the federal
BOnilla and Varona.
Cathedral AImOst Destroyed.
Six well directed shells almost de-
strOyed the cathedral of Guadalupe. one
OF the most beautiful in all Mexico. The
Zapatistas were quartered in the edifice
under Red Cross flag which was re-
spected, it is claimed. until it was
learned that soldiers were pouring a
heavy machine gun fire from the roof
and upper towers. Many other prom
inent buildings were RACED by the artil-
lery fire.
Believe Several Thousand Killed.
Dead and wounded filled the streets
when the lOyalists entered the city and
the number was greatly augmented by
sharp street fighting, the fighters in
many instances coming to bayopet
points. II is believed the Zapatistas
lost several thOusanc IN killed and
wounded Five thousand or more were
taken prisoners with all munitions.
arms and provisions.
1t is believed Mexico City is the next
objective. Gen. Oregon TODAY wired
that he would be attacking the capital
before the expiration Of 80 days