New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-25
MEXICANS KILL
U. SOLDIER;
LOOT TEXAS CITY
Attack Army Post at Pro-
greSo and Escape Under
Comrades Fire.

Brownsville. Tex. Sept. 24.-From
seventy to eighty Mexicans attacked
detachment of United States soldiers
at Progreso. Tex, thirty-fve miles
above here on the Rio Grande River,
early to-day, and killed one trooper,
wounded the commanding captain,
looted and burned the Progreso post
Office storehouse and escaped across
the river under cover OF rife fire from
several hundred Mexicans in trenches
on both sides Of the Rio Grande. Some
of the attacking party and many OF
the men who covered their retreat
wore Carranza uniforms. according to
Captain A. V. Anderson. Of Troop Is,
Twelfth Cavalry. who sent an official
report to Major General Funston TO,
night. Captain Anderson was wounded
in the skirmish and Private Henry W.
Stubblefeld, of Stone Gap. Va, was
killed. At least two Mexicans are
known to have been killed. About j.
600 shots were fred by both sides.
More Troops Guard Border.
Tonight three detachments Of troops
and c of the 18th United States
Cavalry are stationed in the vicinity
Of to-days fight, two of thirty men
each at the Progreso crossing OF the
Rio Grande and one detachment at the
Progreso postofics.
Another serious development to-
night is contained in a rumor received
in Brownsville from Matamoros. Mex
late to-day. that a trainload OF troops
was sen. out from Matamoros and that
these were the troops who aided the
bandits in their escape to the Mexl-
can side of the Rio Grande to-day.
The trenches. it is said. were dug
opposite Progreso by the MeXlcans
about three weeks ago. Probably three
thousand shots were fired from back
of the trenches during the two hours
Of fighting, reports here SAID.
Mexicans Chased TO River.
The two detachments of American
cavalry in command of Captain An
derson and Lieutenant Ralph Tolbert,
ir.. chased the Mexicans to the river
from Progreso. Here. it is said. the
Americans could not approach the river
bank because of a lively fire from the
trenches on the Mexican side.
The Mexicans approached from the
direction of the Rio Grande. one mule
distant from the hamlet. The Ameri-
can detachment, which has been on
duty at Progreso since its recent hgnt
when a soldier was killed and an Off
Ger wounded. was camped in front OF
a house. The Mexicans opened fire
and Private Stubblefeld fell at the first
volley.
Washington, Sept. 24.-The fight be-
tween Mexicans and United States SOL
diers at Progreso, Tex, to-day, details
of which were received here tonight
in a report from Major General runs
ton TO the War Department, Is regarded
by government officials as one or the
most serious of the many disturbances
that have taken place along the Dor
der. Repetition of such affairs, 1t Ii
believed, may be followed by American
troops crossing the border to deal with
escaping raiders and their aceompllces'
The matter will be laid before the
State Department tomorrow In order
that REPRESENTATIONS may be made 10
General Carranza. whose troops occupy
the territory opposite Progreso.
Men Fomenting Trouble.
Army officers, it was learned tonight,
are trying to learn the, identity OF per-
sons instigating attacks on American
soldiers. whether they are simply
bandits or whether, operating indirectly
behind the bandits, there are lawless
elements among the Americans them
selves.
Investigation has been under way Tor
some time regarding the actions OF
few Americans suspected OF causing
trouble in the immediate vicinity OF the
Rio Grande. The investigation has
covered suspected smuggling plots and
reports that the general exodus OF
Mexicans is furnishing field for rich
nrofts for persons desiring 70 buy
cheaply the property Of these refugees;
Reliable reports have been received
that some Mexican military men in
Matamoras have received revenues In
the form of illegal taxes on smuggled
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