LA OPINION, 10 de Enero de 1918

"LA OPINION" (daily afternoon edition)
published in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico
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Thursday, January 10, 1918

Yesterday, the bandit--Ines CHAVEZ Garcia--suffered tremendous defeat.
Neighbors of the town of Huandacareo defended themselves heroically.
The brave Gen. Jose L. FLORES, with Cavalry under his control attacked the rearguard of the enemy with vigor.

As we offered our readers yesterday, today we release, with permission, the following offical part of the defeat inflicted upon the bandits led by the infamous CHAVEZ Garcia, who was whipped for the second time by the legal forces under the command of General ESTRADA.

Despite the perverse versions of the enemies of the revolution and hence constitutionalism, we therefore firmly believe that the current head of military operations in the state will bring about, promptly, the establishment of that peace we all desire.

This victory won by the loyal, has filled us with joy and so we send to the military authorities and the heroic defenders of Huandacareo our warmest congratulations.

Here's the official part:
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Morelia, Mich.,
January 9, 1918
General J. Agustin CASTRO, Assistant Secretary of War and Navy
Mexico DF
No. 103

We communicate to you the latest operations; in due time I have paid back in part the defeat you suffered by the siege of Santa Ana [Maya] on January 1st of 1918.

On January 3, I had to move forcefully to this town because 300 bandoleros from Altamirano had interrupted communication with Acambaro. Subsequently, we mobilized the 73rd Batallion for further development of operations against CHAVEZ Garcia who occupied--with 1,200 men--Santa Ana Maya and Cuitzeo, having received reinforcement from Altamirano and Guanajuato.

Yesterday, the 8th (of January), I received news that bandoleros were moving against Huandacareo with the intent of attacking it.

This meant that Gen. Jose L. FLORES with the 71st Regiment of his Brigade, 8th Regiment of Lt. Col. Magana URIEL and the 216th of Lt. Col. Anacleto LOPEZ, who were under his direct orders, were mobilized in full force to proceed from Purandiro to Huandacareo; at the same time the 73rd Batallion under Col. SERRATO was mobilized to proceed from this town with the same objective. For their part, the enemy--at 4:00p.m.--launched a vigorous attack against Huandacareo where 80 brave citizens under Mr. Nicolas NUNEZ, made a bold resistance, holding at bay the bandits until 7:00p.m., at which time, Gen. FLORES, proceeding from Purandiro and following the correct device regiments under his command, attacked, vigorously, the rearguard of the enemy, putting them, in thirty minutes, in complete disarray despite the rugged terrain and darkness of night.

The enemy left 34 dead, 245 horses--most with saddle--40 guns in good condition, 10 musical instruments and 150 bags of baggage, numerous traces of blood. The part only refers to what is recorded.

For our part, (we) had one dead and one injured from the 8th Regiment, one dead from the 216th Regiment, and three injured of the brave civilian defenders of Huandacareo.

I think it just to note the expertise of Gen. FLORES; the tenacity of our cavalry and the brave conduct of the citizens of Huandacareo. As you see, it seems that the weapons confirm our optimism in the ultimate success of the campaign in Michoacan.

Respectfully, Gen. Mgr. of Operations, E. ESTRADA.
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The original of this newspaper is in the archives of Mr. Gilberto FERNANDEZ Ponce and his family has done me the favor of lending it to me to make this reproduction which I would send to all households in Huandacareo for those who wish to keep it as a souvenir depicting the historical events of those fateful days when our beloved town was covered in glory, thanks to the efforts, the courage and heroism of its brave defenders, to whom we owe all respect and gratitude.
Huandacareo, Mich.
9 de Enero de 1965
Benjamin NUNEZ Ch.
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Source: Website: http://corazonabiertodelinda.blogspot.com/2009_04_01archive.html
Translation: http://www.AngelinaSalasGonzales.blogspot.com