Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-04-06

San Antonio, Tex. April 4.-Sur-
prised during their siesta, one of the
groups of Villas force driven from
Guerrero was defeated Saturday by a
squadron of the Tenth cavalry under
Col, w. c. Brown, according to infor-
nation obtained by General Pershing
and forwarded by him to General Funs-
ton to-day.
In this engagement the second the
American troops have had with Villas
men, the bandits loss was estimated at
from 80 to 40 killed No mention OF
American loss was made
Colonel Browns encounter with the
Mexcans had not been reported to
General Pershing. when he made his
report to General Funston, his infor-
nation having been gained from friend
ly Mexicans who had arrived at point
near Rubio, where Major Evans of the
Tenth cavalry halted yesterday. Major
Evans reported that Saturday Col
Brown had encountered a band of Viii
las men and was pursuing them
through San Antonio. chihuahua. Soon
afterward. Mexicans who arrived from
that vicinity declared he had over
taken the wandering bandits at the vii.
lage of Aguas Calientes, twenty miles
southeast of Bachnava.
VILLAS MEN SURPRISED.
Villas men. according to their version
of the encounter, appeared wholly unsus-
pecting of the presence of an enemy a
minute before they were attacked.
1t was about noon when Colonel Brown
brought his cavalry within easy range
Iy;n
many of them asleep and all their horses
were grazing, in many cases some dis.
lance from the men. Details Of the ac.
ton were not told, but the Mexicans said
that besides those killed the Americans
captured an equal number W horses
General Pershing added that his reports
of the engagement lacked confirmation,
though his credence of the news was in
dictated by the fact that he transmitted
it to General Funston.
NO NEARER VILLA.
The encounter aroused deep interest at
General Funston's headquarters, where
additional details We're awaited eagerly,
but it was realized by officers that the
effect of Colonel Browns fight and Of
other minor engagements that may occur
is only indirect, far as the greater
problem OF catching Villa Is concerned.
Enga gements of that character 1t was
said may he expected from 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 indicated the only effects so far as
Villa is concerned will be to destroy the
morale of his supporting force.
There known to be other bands
o. Grating in that same part of Mexico
and part of the American forces must
remain to deal with them while the other
part pushes on in the pursuit of the
fugitive chief.
MORE TROOPS NEEDED.
The action south of Bachinava only
served to strengthen the opinion OF
staff officers that if the punitive expe-
dition is to complete it's work many
more troops must he sent into the coun-
try over the Mexican Central railroad
from Juarez to Chihuahua and even
through Chihuahua to points further
south. must be used. The official admis-
sion at General Funstons headquarters
to-day that the success of the eXpedi-
ton now depended largely on the free
use of the railroads or the material
strengthening of the long roundabout
line Of communication and it's branches.
revealed a situation that 1t was believed
might alter the entire plan Of pursuit.