In order to gather in the harvest of corn at the "Hacienda", Messers. Iturbide indicated to us that we should be proportioning them a detachment of 50 men, which arrived the 13th of December 1917, under the command of Captain Mora. To return to Morelia, they went by Chucandiro and Urundaneo because they had learned that Chavez Garcia had taken the town of Yuriria.
[The sacking of Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico.]
Actually, the 4th of January, 1918, Chavez Garcia assaulted said town [Yuriria], commitng his usual infamous depravities.
[The sacking of Santa Ana Maya, Michoacan, Mexico.]
On the 5th of January, [1918] they [the bandit-gangs] mobilized against Santa Ana Maya, Michoacan where a small group of courageous men fought them in defense of their families. But since they [the defending townspeople] were only 18 men, they were quickly surrounded and only a few were able to escape. Among those who escaped were Pedro Calderon and Francisco Mora. The others were captured and assassinated villainously by repeated stabbings so as not to waste bullets. One of them [townspeople] who had defended from the tower of the church, seeing the atrocities being committed on his fellow townsmen, jumped to his death from the heights [of the tower].
To another of the defenders--one of the bandit leaders asked: "Where is your heart [located]?" To which he valiantly answered, "Preguntame en donde tengo los huevos, hijos de la...!" He was immediately hung from a tree at the plaza and they tortured him by swinging him from one to another, stabbing at him with their swords until he died.
These details were rationed out to us by Fiacro Huerta, member of the "Defensa Civil de Huandacareo" [Civilian Defense of Huandacareo], and as he traveled on Sundays to Santa Ana Maya to sell his goods, he was able to leave and arrived at the town [of Huandacareo] at 8:00 in the morning. We immediately rang the bells and mustered the defenders [of Huandacareo] to give them the news and to prepare ourselves to confront the situation. We closed up all the streets using wire netting/wire trellis and established the services of lookout and espionage all the way to Cuitzeo.
[The sacking of Cuitzeo, Michoacan, Mexico -- on January 7, 1918.]
At 3:00 in the afternoon, Salvador Diaz Manriquez, courier, arrived from Cuitzeo and advised that at noon, he could see the forces of Chavez Garcia approaching Cuitzeo since their troops raised a great deal of dust in the lake [Cuitzeo] which at that time was very dry. The detachment that operated in Cuitzeo, under the command of Luis Perez Gil, had fled to Morelia along with a great number of neighbors who feared the advance of the bandits. We [people of Huandacareo] had hoped that Perez Gil and his people would have concentrated themselves to our town, but he, surely, thought that we would also flee.
At 8:00 that evening, our spies communicated to us that Cuitzeo had been taken that afternoon. And, that the barbarian and his "chusmas" [rabble, mob] were committing the same "infamia" [infamy/baseness] there as was their custom. Some neighbors who lacked the resouces to flee to Morelia and against the advise of their neighbors from Santa Ana Maya, stayed. They took their familes to the convent and they, the men, went into the hill situated to the east. That same night, the rapings began. They would take the women from the convent, even those from the church. One maiden was able to escape by remaining more than 24 hours behind an image of the "virgin."
They [the bandits] attempted to take the sister of the priest from the convent, but she fought them until seeing imminent danger, she threw herself from the second floor--intending to take her life and that of the bandit wrestling her--but he was able to break free in time. Three men that attempted to defend the honor of their families were assassinated, one of them on the porches of the main plaza.
All day on the 7th of January [1918], the bandits sacked the stores and the major part of the houses, stealing everything they could find. On the porches of the plaza alone, they abandoned some 12 sewing machines. At nightfall, that same day, the "Sr. Cura" [the Reverend], fearing the repeat of the infamous orgy of the previous day, from behind the convent, organized an escape for the women--virgins and married--who were hiding in the same [convent] and left to hide in the hills to the east and at the little town of "San Agustin del Pulque" about three kilometers from the population [Cuitzeo].
More than ten babies from those "hijos de la....mentada" were born towards the end of 1918.
[The bandit, Chavez Garcia, turns his attention toward Huandacareo.]
That same day, the 7th [of January, 1918], Chavez Garcia, sent a communication urging us to surrender our town--to which we did not respond. [See: "Documented Notes and Orders" section of this blog--of particular interest, No. 3 and No. 5, notes from Chavez Garcia dated January 7th and 8th, 1918.]
On the 8th [of January, 1918], at 9:00 in the morning, the bandits left Cuitzeo in the direction of Huandacareo.
We were resolved to confront them, even though we had little chance for victory. We knew they were more than 2,000 men. With them were Macario Silva, a man named Roa, Ramon Ortiz, Rafael Nunez, Sacramento Vieyra, Esteban Hernandez, Jose Ma. Hernandez, and Fidel Gonzalez. All of these, and a few more [leaders] with their large bandit-gangs following.
But our faith in "El Senor Del Amparo" and the justice of our cause encouraged us to resist. In order to lessen the tension we felt in waiting for the attack, we had the town band playing at the kiosk at the plaza.
At about 11:00 in the morning, one of the neighbors of the "Hacienda [de Huandacareo"] arrived with a letter signed by Eduardo Escalante and Librado Ortiz, leaders of a group of about 100 men and who recognized as head of the revolution in Michoacan one Jose Altamirano. [Eduardo] Escalante was a friend of [Salvador] Urrutia and [Librado] Ortiz was a brother-in-law of Ing. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, "Gobernador del Estado" [Governor] and ex-companion of mine during school days. [The two men] wrote to us from the "Hacienda" urging [Salvador] Urrutia to a meeting at that place ["Hacienda"]. They received the response that since an attack from Chavez Garcia on the town was imminent, they could not go over there; if they had something to tell us, they should approach the "Potrero de La Higuera" [horse farm/pastures/stalls] which is located at the edge of town. They agreed and Eduardo Escalante, Librado Ortiz, Froylan Tena and three assistants did come as far as there.
The "Jefe de la Defensa" [Head of the Civilian Defense, don Nicolas Nunez] commissioned--[Salvador] Urrutia, Jose Socorro Diaz, and Gilberto Fernandez who had come from Morelia to help us--[to meet with them.]
The aforementioned rebels wanted us to join the revolution under the command of Jose Altamirano. Since there could be no agreement without the knowledge of the defenders, I was commissioned to remit this question to don [Nicolas] Nunez who immediately convened an assembly which resolved that if the "Altamiranistas" [followers of Jose Altamirano] were able to contain Chavez Garcia so that he did not attack nor enter the town, we would accept Altamirano as "Jefe de la Revolucion Villista" [Head of the Pancho Villa Revolution] in the state [of Michoacan]--since we would not in any manner accept the barbarian [Chavez Garcia] as the "porta-estandarte" [standard-bearer] much less as head. Immediately, [Eduardo] pretended to help us. He turned his march toward our population--as being part of his itinerary--saying if we had recognized Altamirano, we would have no problem allowing the forces under his command to pass through our town. At the same time, he would suggest to Chavez Garcia the advantage of not attacking our said population [Huandacareo] but pass through the outskirts without firing at it.
This "oficio" [official letter? offer?] was forwarded by us to Capacho where the head [Chavez Garcia] was now located, who responded immediately and by official letter that it was impossible to detain Chavez Garcia, now that he had been notified that the town [Huandacareo] had recognized the revolution under the command of Jose Altamirano.
Having received the response, I was commissioned to take it to [Eduardo] Escalante and tell him that from the moment that Chavez had not accepted our condition--demonstrating a lack of cohesion among the rebels--we considered null and void all we had talked about. For that same reason, they should withdraw--since the "Chavistas" [followerers of J. Ines Chavez Garcia] were already advancing toward us. [Eduardo] Escalante and [Librado] Ortiz withdrew wishing that all would go well for us and still suggesting to us the advantage of retreating by way of Chucandiro to Morelia with their help--which we naturally refused and we returned to the town [of Huandacareo].
[THE ATTACK ON HUANDACAREO JANUARY 8, 1918]
Having made all the preparations for the defense and assigned the defenders to their corresponding "retenes" [battle stations], at 3:00 in the afternoon, we spotted the enemy which was advancing in the direction of the "cerrito" [hill] situated northeast of the town ("potrero de don Miguel Diaz) [horse farm, pastures, stables belonging to ...], where Chavez established his general headquarters.
The enemy, advancing as they opened up into two wings, began to surround the town--some by way of the "potrero de El Verde", "Urimitiro", and "La Higuera" [horse farms/stalls/pastures named El Verde, Urimitiro, and La Higuera] and the other wing by "La Noria," "El Plan," and "Arroyo de San Francisco" where they united and began to advance toward us. Their "clarines" [trumpets] played "Fuego y Adelante" and their accordians in the march played "Emperadores." [The latter] played by the talented musical band they had captured/made prisoner in the combat they had against General Antonio Norzagaray, at the [railway] station "Los Espinos," and, additionally, backed by the musicians made prisoners at Yuriria, Santa Ana Maya, and Cuitzeo.
They advanced, closing the circle and firing, even though we did not answer their fire, since we had orders not to fire until the enemy was at 100 meters distance--to economize our ammunition and since our entire supply was 9,850 cartridges for the entire defense which had Mauser rifles and 30-30 Winchesters. In addition, there were 500 cartridges for retro/breech loading guns and ammo for pistols.
Given that all "Chavistas" were on horseback, we expected and we prepared everything for cavalry attacks, concentrating our efforts on the barbed wire [barricades] and the cannon we had situated at the "gariton" we constructed at the corner of Hidalgo and Allende (house of Federico Rangel). As his spies had undoubtedly informed him of the location of our defenses, upon closing the circle as they turned toward the town, they tied up their horses, and advanced breaking through walls, firing profusely, especially at the tower, and making a lot of noise to scare us. As they realized that we were not responding to their firing, they thought us to be traumatized--until they reached the house of don Santiago Rodriguez, when [Salvador] Urrutia, from the tower, killed one of them. This was our signal to begin firing back.
In order to form a clearer concept of our situation, it is necessary to provide a summary of our positions and particular duties for each.
RETEN NUMERO UNO: [BATTLE STATION: ONE]
At the tower of the "iglesia parroquial" [At the Old Temple of San Jeronimo]
Leader: Salvador Urrutia, whom we considered as sub-head of the defense.
Sub-leader of "Reten": Jose Socorro Diaz.
The "Reten" was considered divided into the following sections: "La Boveda del presbiterio" [subterraneous vault/arch for the dead in churches], with the following defenders...J. Jesus Figueroa, Jose Murrillo Loaiza, and Isaac Figueroa. On the roof of the "casa cural" [rectory], facing toward the south, with Jose Socorro Diaz, Epifanio Diaz, Atenogenes Alvarez, Luis Rodriguez--employed at the Hacienda, and Socorro Rodriguez. At the "coro" [choir loft], facing west, with Gilberto Fernandez, Elpidio Figueroa and Salvador Carreon. At the same tower, with Salvador Urrutia, Antonio Vargas, Maximiano Calvillo, Soledad Gonzalez, Enrique Velazquez, Alejandro Aguilar, and Aniceto ("mozo de la hacienda", whose surname I do not recall). In total, 18 men, who formed the "Brigada Mota", so-called because we were very loud and passed the greater part of our nights singing in the tower.
RETEN NUMERO DOS: [BATTLE STATION: TWO]
Formed by two sections, joined by a "pasillo" [corridor/bridge] of "vigas" [beams], one at the house of don Antonio Alvarez and the other over the store "La Corcordia."
Leader: Eusebio Alvarez. With him were: Nicolas [Manriquez Guido], Estanisloa Manriquez, Cenobio Manriquiez [also Zenobio], Federico Alvarez [Toledo], Salvador Alvarez [Toledo] (at the "gariton" built at the corner), Maximino Perez, Benito Diaz [Diaz], and others of no account because at the hour of battle they left to go hide at "W.C."
At that same "reten" [battle station] and at the roof of the store: Agustin Rangel, Alberto Murillo [Vargas], Lorenzo Garcia, Amador Gonzalez, and Camilo Gonzalez. In total, 12 men who fought and two who did not.
RETEN NUMERO TRES: [BATTLE STATION: THREE]
At the corner of the streets named "Hidalgo" and "Morelos" (house of don Cipriano Gonzalez).
Leader: Cipriano Gonzales. With him were: Mauro Garcia [Alvarez], Domingo Garcia [Alvarez], Leopoldo Diaz [Diaz], Macario Diaz, Patricio Diaz [Diaz], Roman Tinoco, Vicente Paramo, and Felix Reyes. And with "escopeta" [breech-loading gun], at his house "que esta junto a la anterior", don Joaquin Torres.
RETEN NUMERO CUATRO: [BATTLE STATION: FOUR]
Pertaining to "sur de la manzana primera" [south of first block] "del cuartel segundo" [second ward/district?] which was comprised from where the movie house is now to the house of don Esteban Vargas, but one "gariton" [sentry post?] that we had raised at the corner of the house of dona Ignacia Villagomez.
Leader: don Luis Nunez [Martinez]. With him were: Luis Garcia [Alvarez], Ricardo Garcia [Alvarez], Marcelo Campos [Fernandez], Pedro Pantoja, Antonio Anguiano, Agustin Cahue, Francisco Martinez (the carpenter), Ramon Gonzalez M. (from "La Canada", Mich. Mexico], Andres Velazquez, Benjamin Vargas [Guzman], Valentin Fernandez [Villagomez], Jesus Murillo Aguilar, and Sacramento Diaz. All at the "azoteas" [terrance or flat roof] of the houses.
At the "gariton" [sentry post?] at the corner, mentioned: Salvador Lucio, Rafael Diaz Villagomez, and Francisco Vargas [Villagomez]. Also accompanying them, with "escopetas": J. Jesus Toledo, J. Encarnacion Cancino, and Telesforo Velazquez. In total, 20 men.
RETEN NUMERO CINCO: [BATTLE STATION: FIVE]
Comprised [of area] from the corner of the "manzana segunda" [second block] of the "cuartel segundo" [second ward/district?], from the house of don Ignacio Diaz, "Jefatura Municipal" [Municipal Head], mansion and houses of don Rafael Diaz, Juan Flores, Messrs. Huerta Diaz and don Santos Figueroa. [And of] the fourth block of the "cuartel primero" [first ward/district?], houses of Messrs. Rangel and the corner [house] which afterward became the store of don Gilberto Fernandez.
Leader: don Miguel Figueroa. Sub-leader: Francisco Huerta. With them were: Fiacro Huerta [Diaz], J. Sacramento [Marinez], Vicente Marinez, Bernabe Loeza, Procopio Loeza, Vicente Cisneros, Narciso Mendoza [Marciso? Mendoza], Santos Puente, Juan Guzman, Hexiquio Marinez [Eziquio? Marinez], and Basilio Prado. Although without weapon but helping, were also: Genaro Aguilar, Gumersindo Aguilar.
At the second section of this same "reten" [battle station] were: Hipolito Rangel, Federico Rangel, Ponciano Chavez [Diaz], Jose Villafuerte, and Mateo Padilla.
RETEN NUMERO SEIS: [BATTLE STATION: SIX]
[Comprised of the area] third block of the "cuartel primero" [first ward/district?], (houses of don Jose Ma. Villicana and Messrs. Sixtos). Considered part of this "reten" [battle station]: The sixth block of the "cuartel primero" [first ward/district?], "Templo de El Hospital."
Defended by: Miguel Gazca [Miguel Garcia Mendoza?], Pedro Diaz Diaz, Lucio Alvarez [Diaz], Francisco Lopez Guzman, and Andres Huerta.
RETEN NUMERO SIETE: [BATTLE STATION: SEVEN]
[Comprised of the area] First block of "cuartel primero" [first ward/district?], fronting north, from the house of don Nicolas Nunez ("cuartel general"), to the house of don Hilario Chavez.
Defended by: Don Nicolas Nunez [Martinez], Hilario Chavez [Diaz], Aristeo Diaz [Diaz] ("clarin de ordenes") [trumpeter sounding orders], Antonio Alvarez, Ramon Fernandez, and Fidencio Manriquez.
Our equipment for combat, as already told, was comprised of 69 rifles between Mausers and 30-30, four Remington (one-shot), five or six "escopetas de retrocarga" [breech-loading guns], six "escopetas" [breech-loading guns] which were loaded with gunpowder, and munitions of wide "calibre" [range].
The bandits were between 1,800 and 2,000, all well armed, with plenty of ammunition, an an enormous [amount of] booty acquired in sacking [the towns of] Yuriria, Santa Ana Maya, Cuitzeo, and Capacho.
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Defender Group ("Reten") 1:
Over at the bell tower was the site of the most intense attack. The rebels came up to the orchard belonging to my father, don Salvador Diaz and we took down three, two in the orchard and one at the corner of the house of Sr. Ezequiel Alvarez--(that one) killed by Epifanio Diaz. The bandidos advanced firing and threatening that they would soon have the pleasure of hanging us from the trees, but when they came within our predetermined range, they were stopped by our fire which seemingly found its mark or passed by them so close it scared them enough to seek cover among the trees in the orchard. Enranged, they continued firing aimlessly since they did not know where the shots were coming from that grazed them and because of the distance, seemed to be very effective.
They then attempted to take the presbytery, where Messers. Figueroa and Jose Murillo received them with shots. As they approached closer, three bombs were thrown at them. This made them retreat again to the orchard. The first bomb the defenders threw at them did not work and the bandidos ridiculed the townspeople saying: "Better to defend yourselves by forting..." But upon throwing the other two bombs, they netted two wounded which were taken away to hide in the orchard.
Fidel Gonzalez had asked Chavez Garcia to permit him to take the tower/steeple with his men and 100 others. But since it was 5:30 p.m. and the battle in that direction had not ceased, he (Chavez Garcia) ordered the "general" Macario Silva to -- with 200 men -- reinforce the attack on the steeple whichever way he could, even starting a fire. We became aware of Silva's arrival because we heard him (Silva) shouting at Gonzalez: "What happened Colonel, didn't you say that you'd take the steeple in 15 minutes?" To which Fidel Gonzales answered: "General, these sons of ... are tough: they shoot to kill and we don't even know where the bullets are coming from." Silva then said: "Well, let's go get them... We're going in guys!"
Firing intensely for 15 minutes, they were only able to advance as far as the border separating the orchard to the corral [curate's corral]. Upon their attacking, we'd return fire causing them wounded--since we were only 30 meters away and they could not see us because we were firing from between the "tejas del techo" (roof tiles). Silva retreated for cover with his men among the trees and from there shouted at Salvador Urrutia: "Churruco, give up and we'll allow you to live; remember that we were 'companeros' (comrades) in arms under Gen. Prieto, Northern Division." To which Urrutia answered him: "I know of no friend of mine to be so vile to place himself under the orders of the biggest bandido in the nation and from the moment you joined him, you son of a ..., there's no difference in the two. You are both 'una chuzma de bandidos' and 'cuatro gatos' we're scaring you." Silva again insisted saying: "We've already taken the town." Then Urrutia shouted to the "Jefe" (Chief) of the defense: "Listen, don Nico, this son of a ...says you have given up!" to which don Nicolas Nunez answered, shouting: "Tell that low-life that we are still as we were when they began and 'nos han hecho los puros mandados.' (We have the upperhand.)" Then Urrutia shouted at Silva: "You heard, '...,' that you have failed. Attack, you sons of ... and don't pretend to scare us with your prattle!"
Again, a large number of shots rang with intensity on my side and I was obligated to send Epifanio, my brother, to tell Urrutia to send more men to reinforce us since it was growing dark and from the steeple (or tower) it was difficult to spot the enemy. He (Urrutia) then sent me five men. Seeing that the attack was lingering, Urrutia shouted at Silva: "What happened, Silva, 'bandido', show yourself to fight like a man and not just steal and rape women! You only attack when you far outnumber one to 100 like you did at Santa Ana Maya!" They (the enemy) did not attack but settled into a pattern of sporadic firing where they thought we might be located. One of these shots ricocheted the bell and caused a gash on Urrutia's head. Gilberto Fernandez and I took care of it.
We were doing this, when Antonio Vargas came down from the tower (steeple) and said: "These ... no longer attack; you tell me if we ring the bell to stir them up." Urrutia agreed, but this caused great alarm among the defenders who thought the rebels had taken the steeple. And the bandidos thought likewise because they redoubled their attack, shouting that they had triumphed. Don Nicolas asked: "What's happening at the tower?" Urrutia answered: "It's that these sons of ... no longer attack and we're falling asleep." This remark caused range among the attackers but the townspeople remained focused.
Defender Group ("Reten") 2:
The enermy succeeded in routing "companeros" (fellow defenders) who were on the terrace (or flat roof) of the store "La Concordia" causing them to withdraw to the house of don Antonio Alvarez, crossing over a bridge of laid out beams from one block to another. Having been wounded, Lorenzo Garcia could not be passed across and was left between the "tapanco" (attic) and the roof of the house, from where, after the attack was over, we took him down with "mantas" (blankets). In order to make our retreat from one block to another and believing that the bandits were already on the roof of "La Concordia" (store), they had to throw down the beams that formed the bridge; in this activity, don Agustin Rangel, Chief of the Section, was wounded in the right eye, falling inert. The "companeros" (fellow defenders) thought him to be dead, but fortunately, he lost only that one eye. Besides him, Nicolas Manriquez, Eusebio and Federico Alvarez fought with valor in this group (Reten 2). Well, the ones that were at the "gariton" did not have but one opportunity to fire (their weapon), when they (the bandidos) came across the corner of the store (belonging to) Santiago Manriquez, causing them (the bandidos) two wounded.
Defender Group ("Reten") 3:
The enemy, punching walls, was able to advance to the house of don Joaquin Torres (close to that of don Cipriano Gonzalez), but upon opening up a barrage (of rounds) in order to continue advancing, don Joaquin Torres, himself, fired his weapon (escopeta) (and) succeeded in killing the one attempting to enter there, saying: "Take that you son of a ...; bring on the rest!" This obliged (the bandidos) to retreat to the house of the Manriquez--Fidencio and Josefat--where they kept on shooting at the group of defenders. About 8 o'clock at night, an individual who said he was Chavez Garcia, succeeded in approaching the house of Isaac Figueroa--across the street corner where the "cuartel general" (general headquarters) was located and in front of the Defender Group ("Reten") No. 3 at the house of don Cipriano Gonzalez--and, he (Chavez Garcia) asked to speak with the Chief of the Defense. Upon communicating by shouts, he sought that the town should give up, that they had no possible defense, that the tower/steeple [St. Jeronimo] had fallen to them and because of that he had ordered "Alto el Fuego" (cease firing) to be played. Which was true, since the "clarin" (trumpet) could be heard playing everywhere [in all directions]. Don Nicolas answered that we would never surrender, that it was impossible to trust the word of a bandit of his "calana" (ilk). And as for the taking of the tower/steeple, that was a lie, since they (the defenders) were communicating with each other through shouts from one group ("reten") to another. And he (don Nicolas) went on to shout: "Hear don Salvador (Urrutia), what this bandit Chavez Garcia says, that they have taken the tower!" Urrutia answered him: "Tell him to go tell it to the author of his days, that they have fallen short; that they've tried to scare us with (nothing more than) shouts and lies."
Since, in effect, all firing had ceased, all the defenders heard the words of Urrutia, causing great enthusiasm and the ire of the "troglodita" (brutes), who continued to be insulted by those in (Defender) Group No. 3; and causing the "troglodita" (brutes) to retreat, swearing that come sunrise they would burn the whole town.
At Defender Group ("Reten") 4:
They did not attack "con brio" (with force), but as they had done throughout the town, advanced by punching through walls and taking cover behind fences until they got to the property situated behind that which in previous times had been the cinema house Urrutia and from a huge "capulin" plant, they were opening fire, approaching even to the house of don Fernando Nunez; but one or two close shots made by th defenders, contained them (approaching bandidos).
True story: Marcelo Campos, who was the chief there, said that Murillo Aguilar's mother made him (Aguilar) come down from the roof (flat roof or terrace) because he was so tall he made himself a target. The defenders who were at the "gariton," who had opportunity to discharge their weapons--because they (the bandits) were not able to advance to attack through the streets--could fire only when the bandits crossed the street from the first block to the second.
At Defender Group 5, (led by don Miguel Figueroa):
The defenders had to fight from the beginning of the attack, almost without interruption, up to 8 o'clock at night when the bandidos began to play "Alto el Fuego." And they attacked with "brio" (vigor) because they thought there were no defenders, until they were received with close shots and handmade bombs that caused casualties. Even though the bandidos insulted the defenders, they (the defenders) did not respond when the bandidos advanced, they (the defenders) drove them back; which caused the bandidos to become enraged and return again to attack.
The leader of the group (of defenders) had ordered that no one shout back in answer to the insults. From that day on, we named that group the "silent tombs" because don Jose Villafuerte said that he [Reten No. 5 leader, Miguel Figueroa Guzman] had made them to keep the silence of the grave.
Defender Group 6:
At the section south of this "reten" (group of defenders), at the house of Messrs. Rangel, the bandits attacked from the west and advanced up to the "rastro" (market, flea market), from where they were firing and succeeded in wounding don Hipolito Rangel who was shooting from an "arpillera" (burlap sack(s)?). But with shots taken by the defenders--who were on the azotea (flat roof or uppr-level terrace) protected by the "bardas" (barriers) at the aforementioned temple (Templo de "El Hospital")--they were driven back. Those shots (driving back the bandidos) were fired by Miguel Gazca, Pedro Diaz Diaz, and Lucio Alvarez of Defender Group No. 6.
At Defender Group 7 (general headquarters of the defense):
There was nothing new, except for words exchanged between the Chief of the Defense and Chavez Garcia; since the defenders did not have opportunity to fire from the "gariton" established at the corner of Hidalgo and Morelos (streets).
Anticipating the intensity of the attack that the Chavistas would launch the following day, the defenders of the tower/steeple, Elpidio Figueroa, Maximiliano Calvillo and Soledad Gonzalez were ordered to reinforce the three that were at the tomb/vault of the presbytery and the others--except for four who would stay inside the tower/steeple--were sent to the lower foor to reinforce the trenches in front of the "zaguan" (entry porch), the windows of the curate's house, and the front of the corral.
While this is going on, about 9 o'clock at night, and with one or two shots fired by the rebels, suddenly there was heard a great deal of shooting to the west of the town. We immediately climbed up the tower to find out what was going on. We saw a line of fire "nutridisimo" (large amount) that took up almost all the west and was advancing toward the center. We thought it was a strategy of the Chavistas to "amedrentarnos" (terrorize us), burning short-fused firecrackers, but the rapidity of bullets passing over the tower convinced us that it was a formal attack.
A great many of the defenders thought that the "Altamiranistas" (followers of Altamirano), people under Escalante and Ortiz were coming to help and began to shout acclamation for Altamirano and they did not stop shooting until those at "reten" (defender group) No. 5 identified General Jose L. Flores.
Without our realizing that they were Constitutionalists forces, we caused them three casualties.
General Enrique Estrada, Chief of the Operations of the State (of Michoacan), to whom we had sent word regarding the rebels since the 7th (of January), had ordered Gen. Flores to mobilize to help us. General Flores arrived at the "Rancho de Llano Grande" about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and upon learning of the number of people that Chavez had brought with him, he (General Flores) waited until 8 o'clock at night to leave the ranch and surprise the bandido (Chavez) by attacking his rearguard causing the Chavistas to be disbanded; since what they least expected was an attack by the Constitutionalist forces under General Flores and Lt. Colonel Anacleto Lopez and Lt. Colonel Magana Uribe, head of the 216th Regiment and 8th Regiment respectively.
When Sr. Figueroa identied General Flores, he accompanied him to identify him before us, those at the tower, so that we would stop firing at them.
Leaving at the tower a guard under the command of Gilberto Fernandez, [Salvador] Urrutia left with Sr. Figueroa and the General to disperse the bandits that might be to the east. He ordered me to visit all the "retenes" (defender groups) to report the effects of the battle and the casualties the enemy might have caused.
Great was our surprise and enormous our gratefulness to the Christ "Senor del Amparo" to find that we had not suffered a single death among the defenders, but only three wounded. Although seriously (wounded), Agustin Rangel, Hipolito Rangel and Lorenzo Garcia quickly recovered. Unfortunately, the bandits assassinated various neighbors that did not move in to join in the defense of the town and that upon seeing that the bandits intended to abuse their families, would throw themselves at the villains, which resulted in their death.
The Chavistas--according to the prisoners taken and by the neighbors of the immediate ranches--suffered 30 dead.
The defeat suffered by Chavez Garcia was tremendous, not because of the extent of harm levied by the government (they hardly gave chase to him, perhaps due to the large number of people he had with him), since in the battle he lost only three people; but, in his hurried retreat, he left behind 264 saddled horses and carpet bags filled with stolen clothing, 80 rifles, 10 typewriters, and almost all the instruments of the music bands. This was what the government took as booty. It was calculated that solely by what the soldiers sold in Purandiro, where the General returned, there was over $40,000 pesos [worth of booty]. In the town itself, remained 15 rifles, 10 saddled horses, one typewriter, and 14 musical band instruments.
