File No. 812.00/20173
Vice Consul Blocker to the Secretary of State
General Peraldi, commanding garrison at Piedras Negras, confidentially concedes fall of Torreon after receiving a message this morning from Saltillo announcing its fall. No details were given. Late this afternoon the General received information which he terms unofficial that the defeated garrison joined by reinforcements at [Page 626] Hipolito are advancing on the city and he expects its recapture. Consulate has information that the Government troops are still destroying track between Torreon and Hipolito; also between Torreon and Parras; that no advance has been made to recapture city but to the contrary. Rumors are current in Piedras Negras this afternoon that Governor and cabinet at Saltillo are packing up archives preparatory to leaving for border should Villistas advance that way; also that Carranza adherents are leaving from fear of attack on the state capital. Passenger train arrived and departed for south today but tickets were only sold to Saltillo. While communication between Saltillo and San Luis Potosi is open nothing but military trains are operating.