The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1924-02-21
OREGON Wins
BIG BATTLE
Federal Troops Show ExtarOrdi-
nary HeroiSm in Attack on
Deaths Balcony"
REBELS HOIST WHITE FLAG
Losses Heavy on Both Sides - Many
Generals Killed as Amaro Takes
Cuitzeo Position-Bioody Hand
to-Hand Encounter.

Mexico City - The Federal forces
have achieved an overwhelming vic
tory over the rebels after eleven
hours of furious fighting on the banks
of Lerma River at Ocotlan, according
to report made by General Amaro to
President Oregon.
Heavy casualties were suffered by
both sides. A number of the COM
handing generals were killed during
the crossing of the river subsequent
to the storming of deaths balcony"
as the soldiers call the rebel trenches,
according to special dispatches from
Ocotlan.
The dispatches add that President
Oregon has sent congratulations to
General Amaro and his troops,
After crossing the river the Federal
forces successfully attacked the rebel
positions at CuitzeO, forcing the main
rebel column to hoist tn, white flag
and sound bugles calling for a parley,
the dispatches say.
The following dispatch was sent
to General Arnolfo Gomez, military
commandant in Mexico City, by Presi-
dent Oregon:
II am pleased to report that our
loyal soldiers have given the highest
example that can be demanded in
bravery and Dyalty while the cross
ing of the Lerma River, where the
rebels had organized defenses, aided
by the natural advantages offered to
that region.
"The battle lasted eleven hours
without any truce, beginning at 7
O'Clock Saturday in the morning and
ended at o'clock in the evening. It
is impossible to give an estimate of
the losses suffered by the enemy, be-
cause the fighting ended at nightfall
over very extensive area.
"Our troops suffered 300 casualties.
more or less, in dead or wounded be-
cause the crossing of the river over
a. improvised bridge and the subse-
quent assault had to be done under
rebel fire.
Il feel highly proud Of the manpe~
in which cur soldiers scorned death
in the action, which was an honor to
the National army. 1t is useless to
mention any army chief in particular,
all of them having behaved gallant.
Rebel cavalry is on their way here.
perhaps hoping to protect their inf9n-
try, but our cavalry also is marching
parallel to the rebels, and, if they do
not refuse battle tomorrow or the day
after the traitors will realize the
worth Of soldiers who know how to
fulfill their duties and defend their
military honor"
The victory Of the Federals at Orot-
Ian was prepared by Saturdays en-
gagemCnt between the rebel army,
nder General Estganda and 10000 Fed
erals, which was the bloodiest ba tie
in the present revolt. 1t was fought
on a ten to fifteen mile front Prasi-
dent Obregon personally supervised
the attack, having established his
headquarters at L-abasca, eight miles
behind the lines This battle is eX-
ptCttu 10 era lHe revolt III JdllSCO as
efectually as the Federal victories at
the Vera Cruz front put an end to the
De la Huerta control of that State
and harbOr.
Ocotlan is about 100 miles from
Guadalajara, which is thu second city
of importance in the country. 1t is the
apex of triangle whose curving base
is the River Lerma, and much of the
terrain is a mire, making hand-tohand
fighting inevitable.
General Estrada planned this bat
tie when the revolt began, in the
event he should be forced to retire
from Guadalajara. Rami tied trenches
were constructed on the far side of
the river, protected by barbed wire.
Dispatches stated that not a single
rebel gun or man was visible during
the first two hours of the engagement.
The heavy artillery of the Federal
forces, however, made the position IN
tenable.