The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-04-19


civil authorities arrived and Joined
In the courteous reception of the ma
Jor and his troops. Gen. Lozano and
the civil authorities discussed with
Maj. Thompkins the question of camp
ing sites, he and the local official
deciding on one just outside the city
to which Maj. Thompkins was direct
ed. fH
Maj. Thompkins was preparing to
move out to the designated camp
when soldiers and civilians began to
throw stones and shoot at the Ameri-
cans. Realizing that the action was
that of mob of civilians and of SOL
diers who had got beyond the control
of their officers, Maj. Tompkins made
no stand but retreated his men with
out making resistance towards the city
limits. Shouting crowds followed
while stones and occasional shots fell
among the troops, but without doing
great damage. 1t was afternoon when
Tompkins led his men into a defen-
sive position behind a. railway en-
bankment outside the town. The
mob respected the advantageous po-
sition the Americans had taken but
within a brief time force Of 800
Mexican troops appeared on their
flank and began in military fashion
formal attack. '2H
Maj. Tompkins still was averse to
fighting in anything but a defensive
manner since every officer who has
entered Mexico with the punitive,
force has had it impressed upon him
that every effort should be made to
avoid clashes with the troops Of the
de facto government. ' .s's ~
Also it was apparent that the Mex.
ican's superiority in numbers made q
retreat from the position behind the
embankment imperative.
A retreat. was begun that was end
ed only at Santa Cruz. The Mexicans
pursued them almost the entire dis
tance Of the intervening eight miles,
the United States troops contenting
themselves With rear guard action.
I In thesrunpsne fight the Americans
cared for their dead and wounded.
Maj. Tompkins' information that Al
Mexicans had been killed was from
one who passed over the trail from
.Parral after the fight. = e e
Maj. Tompkins and his tive troops
reached Santa Cruz just before dark
and there met Col. Brown and Maj.
Young with squadron of the Tenth.
Later in the night Maj. Howe arrived
with his picked squadron, making the
force there about 500 men.
Mssiy Howe also had led his men
through series Of minor adventures.
He had come from La Borga in the
reaghborhood OF which he had been
lii q few skirniishes with Villas men,;
FIe reported the loss Of one man kill
ed. Private Kirby. OF the Eleventh
cavalry and two other enlisted men,
Ferroski and Clifton, of the same
regiment, wounded. =" 3!f. -
Maj. Howe also reported that he
had obtained Information from an
apparently reliable source indicating
that Villa was in the mountains
southwest OF La Borja. 1t was at
La Borja where one OF the uncon-
firmed reports from Mexican sources
s,ry that Villa had been buried. No
Official report concerning Villas re-
ported death had been received at
Gen. Funston's headquarters to-
night.
Con Beltran Of the de facto gov
einment received from Consul Garcia
at Ell Paso the report that Villas
body had been recovered and was
being taken to Cusihuirachic for fur
'tiler Identification. It was expected
to arrive there today escorted by
troops Of Gen. Cavazos and Col. Car
los Carranza.
Gen. Pershing reported today to
Gen. Funston that small band Of
Mexicans presumably Villas men,
had attacked his supply train a short
distance north Of Satevo Friday
night. One Mexican was killed.
There were no casualties on the
American side.
Consul Letchner at Chihuahua re-
ported today that Col. Brown had re-
quested an aeroplane be sent to Santa
Cruz for use in carrying a report of
an occurrence at Parrai Thursday.
officers here were inclined to believe,
however, that Col. Brown referred to
the incident of the day before.