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LATIN AMERICA: The Civil War

2 minute read
TIME

“We are going straight to Vera Cruz,” said President Obregon of Mexico, after expressing the uttermost confidence in the success of his forces.

“The revolution is triumphing everywhere,” said General de la Huerta, rebel chief.

With both sides supremely optimistic, and with both issuing communiques on the rebellion, the general situation remained obscure.

The Huertistas advanced almost two-thirds of the way from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. Heavy fighting took place at several points and the rebels succeeded in maintaining a line running roughly from Irolo, northeast of Mexico City, to San Marcos and Puebla, east and southeast of the capital.

The Federal forces engaged the enemy at Irolo without important effect. General Obregon took over supreme command of the Army and bent all his energies in pushing forward to Vera Cruz. The first big clash occurred at San Marcos and resulted in a defeat for the rebels, who were forced to retire. This split the two rebel armies into two corps of about 6,000 men each; the San Marcos corps retiring to Orizaba, while the other of about the same strength held Puebla, the second largest town in possession of the rebels.

President Obregon, considering his presence at the front no longer necessary, returned to Mexico City. An attack was launched upon Puebla by the Federal commander and after a difficult fight the rebels decided to evacuate the city “for reasons of military expediency.” The Federals thought otherwise.

Presupposing success for the Obregonistas, the civil war, if fought to a finish, is sure to be a protracted affair. Each army as it retires destroys the railway lines, thus hindering an advance.

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