The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-20


: The efforts made by Consul Letch-
err to secure the release OF the sew
eral shipments and have them for
warded to San Antonio over the
Northwestern Railway have been ig-
nored.
General Luis Herrera left Chihua-
hua en-. route for Parral on Sunday
night in command of the Morelos and
Juarez brigades.
The Mexican officials are no long
er endeavoring to substantiate the re-
port of Villas death. General Luis
Gutierrez said the information never
amounted to more than a rumor.
Consul Letcher said there was nothing
i'm the story of Villas body having
been found.
Thirteen Viliistas Executed.
Thirteen Villistas were executed
this morning for plotting TO over
throw the CaTranZa garrison.
Private Eichenberger, of the Tenth
Cavalry, who has been missing since
the Parral fight, has been located
southeast of Parral. according to
report from Col Brown to Consul
Letcher."
The message docs not state whether
Eichenberger was found dead or alive
He il believed to be the courier sent
by Col. Brown to ascertain what had
happened to Major Tompkins, in com
mand when firing was heard in the
direction of Parral.
A member of the Alvarado Mining
and Milling Company reached FL Paso
from Parral today with a frst-peraon
story OF the fighting. His report has
been accepted by General Rell and it
relates that but one Mexican was
killed The Mexican wounded con-
sisted of one man. one woman and
one child
Eye Witness Story.
The American casualties WerH as
already stated in the official report.
Here Is the statement related TO Cen
eral Bell:
Major Tompkins of the Thirteenth
Cavalry and a small command were
some distance out from Parral when
they were. approached by Jose De La
Luz Herrera. 1efe politico. and invited
to enter the city and accept the hos
pitalIty of the municipal authorities.
Accompanied by Herrera. the com
mand reached the plaza in safety.
Major Tompkins dismounted to shake
hands with the Carranza commander,
and several other Mexican officials
who were presented, A crowd col
lected, consisting largely of women
and Carranza soldiers off duty. They
started to taunt and jeer the Ameri-
can soldiers, but were not answered.
THE, trouble started when some
one threw a stone. Major Tompkins
Immediately announced to the Next
cans that he thought II best to re-
tire. and started across the railroad
track near the depot OF the Parral-
Durango Railroad on the outskirts of
"A Ctt Tho NaXiTang Cd h4r Man
uel Orozco. d nephew of Jose de la
luz Herrera. followed the retreating
troopers. In an effort TO retreat with
out retaliating upon the mob. the cav
alrymen spurred their horses to a gal
Top as they passed the depot
Fired On BY Gtrranza Troops.
Just at this point however. the
Carranza troops. which had left the
garrison in n secret move to cut of
the retreat, fired a volley Mt the
Americans One trooper dropped
from his saddle to the ground. He
had been instantly killed by Mexi-
can bullet.
Major Tompkins ordered hle men
10 fire and retreat again. A hundred
yards further out they were compelled
tn stand and fight Here another
trooper was killed and several wound
ed Retreating in this manner and
firing as they retreated the outskirts
OF the city was finally reached. The
body of the trooper killed at the de-
pot was not recovered until the fol-
lowing day. A camp was made We'd
nesday night at La Cruz about ten
miles out OF Parral. and on Thurs
day morning Col. Brown of the Tenth
Cavalry came UP with reinforcements
Of about 500 men.
"On Thursday afternoon Col. Brown
sent a part OF his force TO Palmilla,
two and n half miles from PaTraL to
dispense the mob which had attacked
the plant OF the Alvarado Mining and
Milling Company. These troops re-
manned on duty until Carranza sot-
diers relieved them. To avoid con-
fiict the Americans withdrew from
Pnlmtlla two hours before the Car
ranzistas arrived"
The plans of the Alvarado officials
to send n special train with civilian
guards for their property have been
abandoned by orders from both the
State Department and the War De-
partment
Four aeroplanes passed through Fl
Paso today en- route to Columbus as
express The bill OF lading showed
that the shipment originated at New
port News. The stipulated transpor-
tation charges were s70e.