The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-05-22

explain only to say 1t is very warm at
present. 102 in the shade.
We are doing border patrol duty on
the American side of the Rio Grande.
At present the situation along the
border and in Mexico seems critical.
The civil strife in the Republic Is yet
at fever heat, while the u. 5. govern
ment is spectator watchful and wait
ling as the President terms, Stlll the
| u. S. is standing ready to strike a.
blow. In fact she has already made
one blow by the seizure of Vera Cruz,
putting an embargo on arms block
aiding the port, and so on This trou-
BILE started on April 18th when the
Mexican government arrested some
sailors and marines ashore on official
business at Tampico. This was taken
as an insult to the u. s., for which the
naval commander demanded an apol-
ligy and was refused by President
Huerta (Wertie). The matter was re-
ferred to the President and Congress,
which backed the demand OF Admiral
Mayo and ordered armed forces to en-
force It. The apology has not yet been.
given. So il is thought that U, 5. IS
going to invade Mexico and carry out
lher demands. There is now a con
/ ference of mediators trying to settle
the trouble without war but il is be-
lieved will fail. So the u. $. is daily
preparing for war and il is possible
that invasion will take place at any
| time.
| In the oath of April we had some
excitement here, The town Of Neuva
/ New Laredo, Mexico. directly across
the river from us which is Mexican
Federal garrison thought they We're
going to be attacked by the Constitu
tionalists Crebelsl and also fearing an
Iattack from us, became alarmed and
decided to destroy the town and leave.
| All arrangements being completed,
with no warning to the people, they
INTENDED leaving a detachment behind
to explode bombs and set fire to the
town. The signal was given cannon
fre) and within ten minutes all the
public buildings had been blown to
latoms and torches Were applied to
several other buildings. and the fire
spread rapidly To make things more
interesting they fired on us. Call to
arms was a [ once sounded and we took
position along the river and az the
bridges, and the engagement started,
| which lasted for about an hour and a
half Several attempts were made by
the Mexicans to blow up the three
international bridges but we kept n
heavy fire driving all back when they
came too near; therefore the bridges
escaped unadmaged. In this little
trouble III MeNicans were killed Our
casualties We're none.
Duty is now very strenuous as we
have a heavy guard along the river
and strong patrol in the town OF
Laredo. Texas, We have dctension
camp OF more than 1900 refugees, as
follows; About 80 wounded Mexicans,
300 deserters, 200 men neutrals on nom
combatants. 200 aged women and men,
and 400 women and children. All OF
those except the wounded and desert
ters have come from the ruined town
OF Laredo, Mexico. These people are
a great deal OF trouble. We have to
give medical attention, feed and IN
some cases clothe them. They are a
pitiable sight--war treaden to death.
| would like to hear from you, as
things are rather monotOnous here
and / like TO hear from my people.
+. NJ. THOMPSON,
Corpl.. Co. b. 9th Unity.
Laredo, Texas, Camp U. $. troops.