The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-04-06
80 To 40 MEX|CANS
KILLED IN SECOND FIGHT
WERE SURPRISED AND
DEFEATED BY GEN.
BROWNS FORCE

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, April A.
Surprised during their siesta, one of
the groups of Villas forces driven
from Guerrero was defeated Satur-
day by a squadron of the Tenth cav
airy under Colonel w. c. Brown, ac-
cording to information secured by
General Pershing and forwarded to
General Funston today. In this, the
second engagement the American
troops have had with Villas men, the
bandits losses were estimated at
from 80 to 40 killed. No mention of
American loss was made.
News of the reported engagement
fought at the village of Aguas Cali
Cnties, 20 miles southeast of Bachi-
neva, was brought by friendly MeXi-
cans to a point near Rubio, where a
detachment of the Tenth cavalry,
under command of Major Evans,
halted yesterday. AT the time Gen
eral Pcrshing sent his dispatch to
General Funston. he had not received
an official report from Col. Brown
and the eXpeditionary commander
pointed out that reports of the en-
counter alcked confirmation. His
credence in the news was indicated
however, by the fact that he trans
mitted it to army headquarters here.
Surprised While Taking Siesta.
According to the Mexicans story
Colonel Brown surprised the wan
dering bandits while they were taking
al, clio aI nf thnir
horses were grazing when the cav
airy rushed upon them. Other than
the number reported killed and the
fact that the American forces cap
tured a number of horses, Major Ey-
ans informants were without details
of the encounter.
A previous report from Major Ev-
ans stated that Colonel Brown was
pursuing the Villa band through the
town of San Antonio.
The second encounter with one of
Villas scattered forces aroused deep
interest at General Funston's head
quarters but it was realized that the
effect of Colonel Browns fight and
of other minor engagements that may
occur is only indirect ofar as the
greater problem of catching Villa is
concerned. Engagements of that
character, it was said, may be expect
ed now from time to time, and the
running down of the marauding
bands is essential to the safety of the
American column, but it was indi-
Gated the only egects, so far as Villa
is concerned, will be to destroy the
l. ic
Forces Must Split.
There are known to be other bands
operating in that part of Mexico and
part of the American forces must
remain to deal with them while the
other part pursues the fugitive chief.
Official admission at Gen. Funston's
headquarters today that the success
of the expedition now depended large
| ly on the freer use of the railroads,
or the material strengthening of the
| long roundabout line of communica-
ton and it's branches, revealed sit
uation that it was believed might al
ter the entire plan of pursuit.
Villas latest southwark shift was
credited in official quarters, since it
came from consular reports in which
the outlaw was located, we'll beyond
Chihuahua City and evidently trying
to reach Parrall or perhaps even
Torreon or Durango City. There are
known to be operating near those
places organized forces of Villas men
aggregating some thousands.
According to all late reports, villa
appears to be travelling fast and al
ready has placed between himself and
pursuing Americans a considerable
distance.
May Need More Troops.
To meet the new situation, staff
officers here assert quicker means
of sending forward troops and sup
plies should be made and it was
pointed out that the direct Jaurez-
Chihuahua railroad offered thai
means, or large number of troops
must be sent to Columbus immedi
ately for campaigning in Mexico.
| To reinforce the line Of communi