Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-06-29
CLAIMS MEX|CANS
FIRED FIRST SHOT
TENTH CAVALRY CAPTAIN, LEFT
TO DIE AFTER cARR,zAL BAT.
TIE, WRITES LETTER.
RETURNS TO AMERICAN LINES
Morsy Hid Near Scene Of Fight After
His Men Had Been Scattered
Troops Formed for Attack, Fear
Ing Ambush.

San Antonio, Texas, June 27--Left
to die of loss OF blood and thirst, two
miles from the scene of the encounter
between Mexican and American troops
at carrizal, Captain Lewis Sydney
Morey of the Tenth cavalry, has made
his way back safe to the American
lines.
A letter from Captain Morey, writ.
ten while hiding In a hole near the
scene Of the fight at Carrizal after
his men had been broken and scatter
cd by the Mexican force. was receiv.
ed by General Funston through Ger
eral Pershing.
orders Men to Leave Him.
Captain Morey was left supposedly
to die upon the desert from thirst and
his wounds. The men abandoned him
at his own order. The three unwound-
ed men had carried him, according to
their stories. to Lieutenant Meyer
from the hole where he had hidden
and made their way nearly two miles
from the battlefield.
Following Ia the text OF Captain
Morey's letter:
"Carrizal, Mexico, June 81. 1916.
OILS a. m.
"Ts Commanding oficer, ojo
Fredericko:
Passage 10 Refused.
My troop reached Opo Santo Do
mfngo at p. m. June 30. Met Troop
G under Captain Boyd. I came under
Captain Boyd's command and marched
my troop In rear for Carrizal at Ais
a. m, Reached open field to southeast
OF town at $3.50 a, m.
Captain Boyd sent in note re.
questing permission to pass through
the town. This was refused. Stated
We could 80 to the north but not east.
Captain Boyd said he was going to
Ahumada mt this time.
HE was taking with Carranya
commander. General Gomez sent a
written message that Captain Boyd
could bring his force in town and have
a conference. Captain Boyd feared an
ambush. He was under the impression
that the Mexicans would run as soon
as we fired.
meSicans open ttre.
"We formed for attack, his inten.
ton being to move up to the line OF
about 1870 Mexicans on the edge of the
town. We formed G Troop on tho left
In line of skirmishers, one platoon OF
X Troop on the right of line and an.
other X Troop platoon on extreme
right, Echelowed a little to the rear.
when We were within 500 yards
the Mexicans opened iire and a strong
one before We fred n shot, then we
opened ur. They did not run, to make
long account short, after about an
hours ire In which both troops had
advanced. c Troop to position Of Mex.
lean machine gun and X Troop closing
In slightly to the left. We were very
busy on the right. keeping off a flank
attack. A group OF Mexicans left
town, went around our rear and led
our horses left at a gallop.
Captain Boyd 10 Killed.
AT about Q o'clock one platoon of
Troop X which was on our right fell
back. The sergeant said he could not
stay there. Both platoons fell back
about 1000 yards to the west. and
then. together with some men Of
Troop c. who were there, these men
scattered.
Il was slightly wounded. Captain
Boyd, u man told ME, was killed. Moth.
ing was seen of Lieutenant Adair aft.
er the fight started, SO a man l saw
stated.
Il am hiding in hole 1000 yards
from field and have one other wound.
ed man and three men with me.
(Signedl "MOREY. Captain"