The Harrison times., 1916-07-15

Field Headquarters, United States
Punitive Expedition, near Casas
Grandes.-Capt. Lewis S. MOrey, Troop
K, Tenth cavalry, the sole officer to
survive the Carrizal massacre, sat on
the edge of bunk in a thatched hut
at headquarters here and told an at
tentive group of fellow officers, who
gathered to congratulate him az one
from the grave, intimate details of the
first real tragedy of this campaign.
MOrey had spent the previous night
In the hospital after his arrival here
In a motor car. In the morning, his
blOOd-Stained shirt removed, and his
body cleansed and refreshed, he was
able to move about the camp with his
left shoulder, through which Mauser
bullet had scared its way, swathed in
bandages.
Confers With Pershins.
He first held a conference with Cen
eral Pershng. And then he visited
with his regiment in what probably
will be the most remarkable reunion
Of this campaign. AS he walked
through the curious little army streets,
aanked by tents and the queer woven
brush quarters which the men and Of
ficers have built, there was no cheer
Ing and music. But from each group
some officers walked out and, grasp
ing Morey's UNNAMED hand, ex-
claimed:
"Glad you're back, old man. Con-
gratulations !"
Simple words these, but they were
fervently spoken. for there is no man
in chis command that believed he
would ever see Morey again.
Tells of Awful Thirst.
Morey is a studious-looking man,
whiskered, lean of face and specialized.
Telling his story he spoke haltingly,
without exaggeratiOn, and with admir-
able restraint and modesty. He blamed
no one, drew no conclusions, offered
no hindsight suggestions as to what
should have been or should not have
been done.
His voice was almost emotionless,
rising in tone and pitch only when he
told of going without water from six
o'clock on the morning Of the 21st,
until four o'clock the following day,
wounded and with the bliStering, scar
Ing rays of a Mexican sun beating
down on him.
Morey suffered thirst that will leave
an Impression for life. Even as he
spoke of it, his hand automatically
reached for a canteen and he drank
long and deep.
Died Like Soldiers.
How those two troops of the
Tenth cavalry left Santo Domingo
early that Wednesday morning and
rode toward Carrizal how Captain
Boyd conferred with General Gomez
and how, thanking the Americans on
the right and left, the Carranzlstas
opercd fire, already has been told,
and Morey confirmed the details that
have heretofore been related.
He added little to the fight except
to say that Boyd and Lieut. Henry
AdaIr died like soldiers and gentle
men. He told also that the Carran-
zistas began hostlllties by opening up
with machine guns, and that in the
firing the enemy seemed TO be cen
terIng his fire on the white officers
Of the command, Of which there were
only three. When the battle was over
there was but one.
Couldn't Follow Charge.
Morey's command, consisting of only
80 men, was on the right flank when
"the ball opened" as he put 1t, and
he could follow the charge Of Troop q
under Boyd and Adar only to fringe
OF bush. Into which men and horses
disappeared.
&c troop men tell me- said Morey,
"that AdaIr died In the irrigation ditch,
his head held up by Il noncomms'
stoned officer. There was water In the
ditch, and even while dying Adalr