The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-11-04
VILLA TO ATTACK
j. S. TROOPS At
DOUGLAS, AR|Z.
Gen. Funston on Way to Take
Command.
BATTLE ON AT Aqua PRIETA
American Is Wounded by Stray Bullet
Fired During Fight on Border
u. S. Custom House Fired
Upon by Mexicans.

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ston is rushing to take command OF
the United States forces assembled
at Douglas, Ariz.
Information has reached the govern
ment that General Villa is preparing
to attack the American troops at that
point.
General Funston is authorized to
protect American property and resist
aggression.
American Is Wounded.
Douglas, Ariz, Nov. 1.-The battle
of Aqua Prieta began at 1877 o'clock
in the afternoon, when guns of the
garrison at Aqua Prieta opened upon
the rapidly advancing Villa forces.
Bullets soon began to fly across the
United States line into Douglas.
l.. f. Taylor, an American, was
shot through the back by machine
gun bullet at the United States Gus
tom house The machine guns were
peppering the United States custom
house at the time.
Taylor was taken to the American
field hospital.
His spine was struck by the bullet,
according to the American surgeon
who made an examination. If not
fatally wounded Taylor will be a Grip
pie for life, it was said.
Fire on Custom House..
The machine gun fire on the custom
house began at $40. At least thirty
bullets sped among a throng Of sol
diers and Mexican woman refugees
who were passing toward the concen-
tration camp on the American side.
Five minutes later a score or more
bullets flew by American soldiers. The
Americans took cover in their
trenches, taking the Mexican women
and children with them.
When the Carranza garrison opened
fire the Villa gunners returned shot
for shot. aiming apparently at the
southern salient of the Aqua Prieta
defenses.
One Villa shell burst in Aqua Prieta
within sixty yards of the United
States custom house at 2:l5.
Shells Demolish Houses.
The Villa shells began to burst in
Aqua Prieta shortly before two o'clock.
A dozen houses on the west side Of
the town went to dust, and a number
were killed and wounded
Refugees Immediately began pour
ing over the American line.
General Gales moved three-inch
gun mounted on a fiat car to a point
on the west side of the town, within a
few feet of the United States Gus
tom house. 1t was after this that
the Villa shell struck in that vicinity.
Gales hospitals in trench dugouts
in the west side of town appeared
busy. StretChers were seen moving
through communicating trenches.
Villa Shell Finds Mark.
In the artillery fire which pro-
crossed during a lull in the rifle and
machine gun attack one Villa shell
demolished a bombproof of Gales
cannon from which the weapon had
been moved.
The Villa line was a mile from the
Aqua PrietG trenches. 1t is believed
it will move up with cannon and in.
fantry for "A rush on the town soon.
The villa army of 10000 continued
to move steadily toward the trenches
of Aqua Prieta in the morning BY
noon the Villa troops practically en-
cirCled the town and a demand for its
surrender was made.
A thin skirmish line. composed of
Yaqui Indians, moved up to within a
mile and half OF the Carranza line.
Villa Comes to Line.
General Nilla himself with four Of
iicers came to the American line to
get the bearings of the boundary line.
DO you expect to take Aqua Prieta
today" a United States army staff
officer asked
Sure, Mike" replied Villa, grinning
broadly
IT was the only English he spoke.
I'm Spanish villa inquired whether
the United States intended to help
General Gales garrison at Aqua
Prieta. in view of the fact that the
American government had recognized
Carranza and assisted re-enforcements
in reaching General Gales.
He was assured that the American
forces in the trenches facing the pros
pective Mexican battlefield would treat
both sides alike There must be no
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