Mexican Garrison Of 250 Wiped Out.

New York Times 100 years ago today, December 23, 1912:
Refugees Report That Rebels Practically Annihilated Federal Troops at Ascencion.
EXTERMINATION OF BANDS
Government Ruthless In Fighting Revolt — Madero Not Aided by Americans, Says Hopkins.
    EL PASO, Texas, Dec. 22.— Refugee Federal soldiers arrived to-day at Juarez to report that the 250 Federal irregular troops garrisoning Ascencion were practically annihilated last Wednesday when rebels attacked the town, which is about seventy-five miles southwest of Juarez.
    The attack was made shortly after midnight, and fighting continued only for a few hours. The garrison commander reported by letter to Gen. Trucy Aubert, at Juarez, that he knew of only fifteen of his men escaping besides himself. He is hiding at a ranch The fate of 150 regulars at Guzman, near by, is not known, but it is believed the town was taken by rebels before Ascencion.
    The rebels were commanded by Gen. Inez Salazar. The revolutionists are reported as mobilizing at the captured town. Gen, José Blanco, with 800 Federal troops, is moving against Ascencion from the Casa Grandes district to the south. A train bearing 600 regular cavalry of the Seventh Regiment arrived to-night at Juarez from Chihuahua. The force will leave early to-morrow to attack the rebel mobilization.
    A battalion of regular infantry, it is stated officially, is moving from the west against Ascencion, forming a pocket, in which, it is hoped, to trap the rebel force, which the Federals now admit numbers some 1,500 men.
    Rebel agents at El Paso say that Gen. Pascual Orozco. Jr., is in the field with more than 2,000 men.