March 10, 1916
Invaders Driven Across line into Mexico leaving Upward of One Hundred Dead on Field of Battle; Pursuit by American Cavalry Without Result
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Descent on Sleeping New Mexico Border Town Carried out With Cruelty and Ruthless Cunning Unknown in United States Since Days of Geronimo.
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Among the Villa
raiders killed was Pablo Lopez, second in command, the man held
personally responsible for the Santa Ysabel massacre. The fact that he
was with Villa indicates that his chief planned the murder of the Americans who were en route to the mines of the Cusi Mining company.
Reinforcement Depart
A battalion of the Twentieth Infantry left El Paso last night for Columbus to reinforce the Thirteenth cavalry. It included companies A, B, C and D of the First battalion, and the soldiers will reach Columbus early this morning.
Five companies were held in readiness here last night in case of emergency. A double provost guard patrolled the city and detachments of soldiers were thrown out along the river.
Car service to Juarez was discontinued during the night, but will be continued today.
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COLUMBUS SPENDS SLEEPLESS NIGHT: ANOTHER ATTACK FEARED
Special to the Morning Times
Columbus, N.M. March 10 – Columbus was a-quiver with excitement late tonight when it was reported Villa planned to make another attack on the town early Friday morning. Strong guards have been placed around the town, consisting of the Thirteenth cavalry, members of the Deming national guard and armed civilians.
Sent Fake Report
Villa sent what is believed to be a “faked” report that he had reached Nogales, Chihuahua, about fifty-four miles to the east of Palomas. It is not believed that he could have traveled so far after the fighting.
Coffins have been ordered from El Paso to bury the dead Americans. The bodies of a number will be held here until advices are received from relatives in other cities.
The bodies cremated in the Commercial hotel, which was burned to the ground by the raiders, have been identified as Charles De Witt Miller, Albuquerque; Dr. H.M. Hart, cattle inspector of El Paso, and W.A. Davison, a member of company K, Texas national guard of El Paso.
Fire Destroys Buildings
Practically the entire business district was destroyed by fire. The villa soldiers had cans of gasoline which they poured on the buildings and then set them on fire. The three men cremated in the hotel were caught like rats in a trap and unable to escape.
Major Tompkins was in charge of the troops that invaded Chihuahua in pursuit of the Villa bandits and directed the attack on the rear guard. The majority of Villa soldiers killed were shot during the running fight across the boundary.
After the American troops had followed Villa for about eighteen miles the bandit threw out a strong rear guard, which met the advancing cavalry and a sharp fight followed. The chase was then abandoned by the American troopers.
Attack Unsuspected
The attack on Columbus was wholly unsuspected, and Villa was in the town before any one knew of his presence. His soldiers cried "Viva Villa”
and “Death to the gringos.” They shot every American civilian who was
on the street and then shot through the windows and doors of the
residences.
Villa was in the center of his men urging them on. He told them to give the Americans no quarter and to kill men, women and children. He was identified by many residents of the town. Villa was attired in his military uniform and waved a sword.
When his men started retreating he flew into a frenzy and stabbed and slashed at those near him, telling them to continue fighting. But they retreated, and when the line was reached Villa was leading.
His men and horses are in good condition. They spent several days at the Palomas ranch resting up before attacking Columbus.
Since leaving Casas Grandes Villa is believed to have killed approximately fifty Americans, including those who were murdered at Columbus.
Seventeen Americans, eight soldiers and nine civilians, including a woman, are dead as a result of the attack on Columbus, N.M., early yesterday morning by Francisco Villa and his raiders, numbering fully 1,500 men. In the fight that followed the bandits were driven across the line, leaving fully 125 dead on the field of battle. The Mexicans were pursued by four troops of cavalry and a running fight followed. The chase was abandoned by the American cavalrymen after the Villa raiders had fled to a point 15 miles south of the boundary line.
The list of American dead follows:
Dr. H.M. Hart, El Paso, veterinary.
W.H. Davidson, trumpeter, El Paso National guard.
W.T. Ritchies, Columbus.
J.T. Dean.
C.W. Dewitt Miller.
J.J. Moore.
N.R. Walker.
Unidentified hotel guest.
Sergeant Mark A. Dobbs, M.G.T. 13th cavalry
Sergeant John Nievergalt, band.
Corporal Paul Simon, band.
Corporal Harry Wisewell, Troop G.
Private James Butler, Troop F.
Frank T. Kindvall, Troop K.
Private Fred Griffin, Troop K.
The wounded:
Corporal Michael Barmazel, M.G.T.
Private Jesse P. Taylor, Troop F.
Private James Venner, Troop M.
Private John C. Yarborough, Troop K.
Private Theodore Katzorke, Troop L.
Lieutenant C.C. Benson, wounded in arm.
Captain G. William, Adjt., flesh wound.
Villa used his old cunning n attacking Columbus. He planned to attack the garrison March 1, according to Mrs. Maude Wright whom he took prisoner in the Casas Grandes district and brought to the border, later releasing her.
The bandit chieftain waited until 4:30 before crossing the border. The raiders dismounted near the edge of the sleeping town and, crawling up the main street, opened a deadly fire on the citizens and soldiers who were sleeping in their tents. The fighting in the town lasted nearly an hour before Villa and his followers were driven across the line.
Last night there were rumors of another attack and Columbus was aquiver with excitement. A strong guard of soldiers, members of the Deming National guard and civilians was thrown around the town to prevent Villa from making another surprise attack.
Related articles:
CUNNING OF VILLA TOLD BY OFFICER
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