The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-08-17
Battle Lasting Twenty Min
utes Fought Near Browns
vile Last Night; Patrols
Strengthened.
MEXICANs FAIL TO
REACH AMERICAN SOIL
Additional Cavalry and In
fantry Sent to Fight Band
its Should They Again As
sumo Offensive Tactics.

Brownsville. Texas. Aug. ii.~-i.nzt
nights 20 minute fight at proEreso
Was fought entirely by Mexlcans on
the Mexican side OF the Rio Grande
and no Mexicana succeeded In getting
through the American army patrol
into United states territory. This
was the report today 20 Colonel Rob-
crt l.. Builard, commanding officer
OF the Bownsylllo district
I Colonel Bullard strengthened the
patrols about Progrcso and Mercedes
yesterday afternoon 50 that there are
500 cavalry and infantry In that Vi
cinity.
Reports by Mercedes officials last
nigh. that more than $50 Mexicdns
had crossed into Texas under cover
of this fight proved unfounded. Of
ficers who were In the prOgreso fight
said they were sure that all fsring
came nom the Mexican side OF the
river
The border situation along the
lower Rio Grande assumed threat
ening aspect today. Gathering Of
Mexicans IN force last night at Pro-
grcso ON the Rio Grandc. 80 miles
above Brownsville. and their daring
attack across the river on troop Of
the Twelfth United states cavalry was
not the only aggravating feature OF
the situation.
Authorities here received Reports
that rs horses. including some recos-
nizod as animals stolen by bandits IN
recent raids on tho Texas side. were
delivered this week In Mntamoros, the
Mexican town opposite here held by
Ia. gI
horses and the fact that the Mexicant
at Progreso had been gathering open
ly and IN conspicuously large num-
berr Tor days. created suspicion among
Americans that Carranxa officials
were lax In discipline or without suf'
fIcicnt dependable troops To cope VIII
the bandit element ON the Mexican
aide
The death of Corporal Wiiman u
the fight az the Progreso crossinl
! last night and the wounding OF Lieut.
: Roy .. Henry and private Jackson
; intensified feeling IN this section
For nearly twenty miles about PRO
grcao crossing, alarms were SOUNDED
by rifle shots and by bells lnF night
I. Armed mon patrolled roads ans
women and children were gathere'
where they could be guarded.
Early to-day more troops reache
, Mercedes and the Prcgrcso seetiof
p, They were infantrymen from the 2ot
regiment which reached here ycster
! day from Texas city.
The fight lasted 20 minutes an
0 was wagcd mainly from the Mexica
e shore. The cavalry patrol OF II me
o had shifted is position several time
so that the Mexicans might not 81
n actly locate where the American
q were. In some manner the Mexican
located the troops precise positio
. ahou, o'clock.
q All the American casualties occu
rcd during the urst two or thr'
u heavy volloys, from the Mexican sid
n Twice Yesterday afternoon thei
D. was shooting across the river al fF'
greso once some Mexican wome
appeared there To- carry baskets
|, food over Co the band Of Mexican
III campcd opposite the shore. Wht
\ the rnitod states cavalrymon AI
proached the women to examine ~
contents OF the baskets armed M,A'
cans ran out on the other side T"e
called the Americana towards an
th.n fired fow shots
AZ another time during the after
noon Mexicans took exception 90 IN
cnynlr,mon'a Instructions TO th
Mexican boatmau who was runnin
tho ferry az this crossing MeXic2n
again expressed thcir fcelins by III
ing 40 the Americans