Closing In On Naco.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 18, 1913:
2,000 Constitutionalistas Preparing to Attack Ojeda's Little Force.
    NACO, Ariz.. March 17.— Nearly 2,000 State troops are closing in to-night on the little Mexican border town opposite this port. Since their defeat on Saturday, when Gen. Ojeda's 400 Federals routed nearly 1,000 Constitutionalistas, the soldiers of the insurgent State have been anxious to act without delay. Especially bitter is the feeling over the execution of prisoners by the Federal General's orders.
    Col. Juan Cabral, with 750 State troops, is moving by rail from Nogales over the branch line which circles south from Nogales to Del Rio and north again to Naco. This force, commanded by one of the chiefs who took Nogales last week, is in addition to other groups moving from the east and west. From the direction of Agua Prieta Col. Calles and Prefect Bracamente, who were defeated in the first battle, below Naco, are moving westward, and on the way reorganizing their scattered forces, which originally numbered 950. From Nogales 250 picked Yaqui braves are making a forced march to arrive in time with the other groups of State troops. Hearing of the approach of their tribesmen, a few of the Yaqui members of Ojeda's command have deserted, depleting the already small force of the Huerta garrison here.
    With the return of the State troops in greater numbers, it is doubtful if Gen. Ojeda will dare venture out, as he did on Saturday, to meet an enemy four times his strength. Facing a situation similar to that occasioned by the battle at Nogales, when bullets fell in the American town, Col. Guilfoyle, commanding the Ninth Cavalry, is here to-day. He notified Gen. Ojeda that the Federal commander would be held responsible for any danger to Americans on the Arizona side of the line. Guilfoyle also ordered movements which tonight brought a total of nine troops of cavalry, including troops of the Ninth from Douglas and the Fifth from Fort Huachuca, to the border near this point. Workmen late to-night began the construction of a bullet-proof adobe building here, to be used a a refuge for women and children.

    CANANEA, Sonora, March 17.— Two hundred State troops left here to-day to participate in the movement against Naco. Their departure was not contested by the Federal troops, which remain in their barracks here.

    DOUGLAS, Ariz., March 17. — Fourteen Federal soldiers wounded in Saturday's battle have died in Naco, it was learned to-day, making a total of more than thirty known dead among Gen. Ojeda's troops. The loss to the State forces was at least fiftv killed, although only about twenty-five bodies have been recovered.
    The losses do not include men put to death by the victorious troops. Although the Federals in Naco said they killed only Col. Guiterrez and two of his officers yesterday, the remaining thirty-five prisoners being alleged to have joined the Government troops, reliable advices today state that seventeen men died in front of the firing squad.