Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-09-27
Villas RAID ON CHIHUAHUA.
Speculation AS to Effccts-Gen. Bells
Report to Department.

detailed account yet received of the
at Chihuahua City last Sat
urday, when Villa celebrated the
Mexican Independence Day by sue
ccssful assault on the CararnZa garri-
son, reached the War Department to-
day from Brig. Gen. Geo. Bell, COM
the Ell Paso military dis
trict. 1t asserts that Villa person
ally led the attacking forces; that
he took and held numerous and i'm
portant buildings in the city for sew
eral hours; that he was joined by
thousand or more men of the Car
rama garrison and retired, promising
to return soon, and taking with him
a large quantity Of captured arms,
ammunition and artillery.
Gen. Bells dispatch does not show
the source of his Information and
many officials believe his account Of
the incident was founded on rumors
reaching the border, as we're various
stories which have been transmitted
Gen. Bells Report
Gen. Bells report follows:
"Evidence increases to show that
Villa was completely successful in
his attack Saturday upon Chihuahua
and accomplished all and more than
he said he would do. There is di-
versity Of opinion and statements as
to the number of men with which
he entered Chihuahua. Some re-
ports state he only had about 500,
while others give him LOO, but all
agree that he was able to secure pos
session Of the penitentiary, the Gov
ernor's palace and the Federal build
ings and hold them for several hours,
and all this with a CarranZa garri-
son at Chihuahua which some place
at not less than 5000. He liberated
over 200 prisoners, secured and car
ried away more than 16 automobile
loads of arms and ammunition under
an escort of deserting Carranza
troops. He left chihuahua with from
1000 to 1900 more men than he en-
tered with.
villa retired leisurely and practi-
cally without molestation. The firing
by Trevino's artillery occurred after
Villa troops had withdrawn.
"On September If Trevino receiv-
ed letter from Villa stating that he
(Villa) would be in Chihuahua to
shake hands with Trevino on the
18th, and he hoped that he would
have suitable reception for him,
that he might be hungry and would
like to have something to eat.
Enters City In Disguise.
"On the 18th Of September it was
reported that Villa personally enter.
ed Chihuahua, was seen by many of
his friends there and reconnoitered
the city. OF course he was in dis
guise. On the night Of the 18th the
Villistas approached Chihuahua from
camp which he had maintained for
two days within % miles of that city.
After Villa columns had secured Dos
session Of the penitentiary, the Gov
ernor's palace and the Federal build
ings, Villa himself went to the Gov
ernor's palace, into the main bal
cony, displayed his face and made a
short speech, which, in substance,
was as follows:
Viva Mexico. You do not have
your liberty. l will give you your
liberty, for / am your brother. I am
going tc return IN few days
1T appears that there had been a
banquet attended by most of Trevi-
nos officers and that about 2 o'clock
this banquet was finished and most
OF the officers Of the Carranza garri-
son were asleep. AS soon as Treyi-
no heard Of the trouble he started to-
ward the Governors palace. hut his
personal escort deserted him and
went over over to Villa
"rhe party that attacked the Fed
eral building rode into the building
on horseback and the guard there de-
serted ia them. 1t Is reported That
many OF the CarranZa troops who
were killed were killed by other Car
ranza troops, probably as 4 result Of
artillery firing from Santa Rosa Hill.
"All reports received are being sor-
warded to New London for the infor-
nation Of the Mexican-A
commission. 1t is regarded as prob