2nd Assault on Torreon March 1914
The rivalry between Carranza and Villa created divergences and separatism among the revolutionary ranks. One of those forced to choose was General Felipe Ángeles (1869-1919). Angeles studied at the Military College and distinguished himself as an excellent gunner. He studied in Europe and during Madero's tenure led the federal forces that opposed the Zapata rebels in the state of Morelos. After Madero's assassination, he joined the constitutionalist forces and Carranza appointed him undersecretary of war. In the dispute Villa-Carranza, Angeles opted for the former guerrilla and joined the Northern Division as head of Artillery.
For this second advance on Torreón, Villa's Northern Division is made up of seven brigades for about 9,000 men and two Artillery Regiments (the first consisted of three 75mm Schneider and Mondragón batteries, and the second with three 75mm and 80mm batteries). There were two large siege Mortars, "El Nino" and "El Chavalito" which were on armored railway platforms.
The Northern Division was transported on 13 large trains up to a distance of 30 kilometre from the battlefield. The cavalry advanced up to about three kilometres from the enemy and then, dismounting, attacked as skirmishers. For the defense of Torreón, federal general Velasco had a slightly lower number of forces than the attackers, and his artillery strength amounts to about a dozen pieces. This disadvantage is aggravated by the troops being forced recruits (Levy). They lacked the combat morale that prevailed among the revolutionary volunteers.
So, lets saddle up, grab your 30-30, and let's ride!
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