The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-06
BATTLE OF PUEBLA THE BLOOD|EST IN MEXICAN TROUBLE Fifteen Thousand Villa and Zapata Troops Killed or
 Taken Prisoner LASTED
 ONLY SIX HOURS Obregon Subjected City to Fiercest Bombardment Yet Suffered By Mexican Town--Vera Cruz
 Rejoices at Victory

vera Cruz, January 5.-Puebl1 capi- tai of the state of Puebla, evacuat ted q month ago by Carranza's troops was retaken today after a campaign whicL began with the capture of Tepeaca, short distance southeast of Pueblo six days ago.
 The fall of Puebla came after six hours of what is described as the most furious bombardement to whic1 any Mexican force has yet been subjected.
 General Alvaro Obregon, command ing the Carranza forces, worked into a position about the city last night with troops reported to have aggregat- ed not less than 30,000 men. He had determined to make the battle as short as possible and throw nearly all his men into action. beginning the fighting early in the morning.
 After pounding with 92 cannon the enemy's positions, reported held by 5000 men, Obregon's army advanced under fire of the enemy's artillery.
 Obregon Kept His Word
 When Obregon left Vera Cruz. he told friends that he would be in pos-
 
 time was not up until tonight. Tepaeca. Amazoc and other small towns and villages have been taken since his de- parture and Obregon had made his headquarters division base at Apiaz- aco, where the railroad from Puebla joins the main line of the Mexican ail- way. Last night he moved this force southward and another force toward the west, cutting both railroads over which the Villa and Zapata forces night proceed toward Mexico City.
 General Alvaredo and Mallen com manded the forces moving from the east and under their direction most of the cannon. That numerous cannon Of high grade and an abundance of ammunition were in Obregon's posses sion was known here but that he in- tended to employ so many pieces ia one action came as a surprise.
 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 either were killed or made prisoners. From these reports it would seem that in few of the battles that have occurred in Mex leo has the slaughter been so swift and so great
 The. hardest part of the action was fought outside the city proper. The dead and wouned are said to cover the ground at some places and to be atrewn plentfuIly across field whose diameter from west to east is some i2 miles. The bonbardment from the 92 cannon was almost incessant, ac : oording to the official report.
 Communication with Puebla was not established until tonight. Just who vas in command of the capital forces ;. 1-y,o hui fhair leaders reported to have been Andrew .Atrnazan and Eufemio Zapata, a brother of Elm iliano
 A brief message received at midday announced the result of the fighting and the garrison in Vera Cruz witf honor of the victory. The ringing of church bells conveyed the news to the populace.
 City Badly Damaged
 General Obregon had not sufficient Cata at nightfall to estimate the losses of his opponents, but the official re- port said they were unusually heavy. The report also indicated that the artillery fire of the Caraanza forces did more damage within the city of Puebla proper than was at first in- Gicated Many streets and plazas are said to be almost clogged with dead and wounded, large number of whom were victims of machine gun and rifle fire in the street fighting.
 Heavy fighting is still in progress west of Puebla between General Ob- rcgon's forces and endorsements sent from the capital Three arecrlanes did scout work during the day. accord ing to General Obregon.
 It is now said that General Almazan was in charge of the capital forceb, supported by Generals Cortes aud Ar gumedo of the federal army, and Ger erals Banderas. Porforio, Bonilla and varona.