Importance of Torreon Exodus

The town of Torreon, Mexico, is in the central portion, and is a major point of distribution for the railroad. When Juan's family passes through on their way to catch a train for the United States, the results of recent battles of the Revolution are very obvious. There are bloated carcasses of dead horses everywhere, many still in their harnesses. Hundreds of people lay dead or dying, many calling for water and food.

In the alleyways hundreds of human bodies have been piled, arms and legs are every which way. The stench is horrible. Dona Margarita is told that these are the dead from a battle more than a week before.