The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-03-23
CARRANzA TROOPS
FIGHT WITH VILLA;
U.S.FORCE RUSHED
Bandit Making Last Stand at
Namiquipa. "4 Is.
AMERICANS TO TRAP OUTLAW
Three Commands Are EnoircIing Raid.
er-Pershing Expected to Arrive
in Time to Assist First
Chiefs Men.

Ell Paso, Tex, March 21.-Francisco
Villa was in a desperate battle with
Carranza forces under Colonel Cano
at Namiquipa. Here the bandit lead
er turned on his pursuer and made a
stand, after a running fight which
started at Las Cruces during the fore
noon.
United States troops from the COM
mand of Col George A. Dodd are hur-
rying to the support of the Caranzis-
tas from Ell Vale. Another detach-
ment is following the trail which leads
to the pass through the mountains Of
Babicora. 1t is believed Villa will re-
treat in the direction of Laguna Babi-
cora.
v. s. Men to Join Fight.
Reports indicate the Americans will
be in the midst of the fighting soon,
either at Namiquipa or the mountain
pass. An engagement at the latter
point would give Villa distinct ad-
vantage, as he is expected to give
fight from the mountain slopes.
Villa is said to have about 1900
men. He is able to stand and fight
only because 500 sympathizers, work
ing northward, well supplied with am
munition, joined him at Namiquipa.
The CarranZa force is estimated at
less than 900 men. The strength of
the detachments is not given.
Pershing Hurrying to Scene Of Battle.
General Pershing is believed to be
hurrying to the scene of battle, The
section Of the Mexican Northwestern
railroad south from Casas Grandes
to Cumbre and beyond is understood
to have been taken in charge by Gen
eral Pershing to send re-enforcements
and supplies to Dodd's men.
The news of the fighting sent a
thrill through FL Paso such as had not
been experienced since the last time
Juarez was taken. First a wireless
leak told that Pershing had reported
to Funston that Carranzistas had en-
gagged Villa at La Cruces and defeat
ed him. %.
Then General Gavira, commander of
the Juarez garrison" began getting
messages over the Mexican Federal
Telegraph lines. The information
was only fragmentary during the first
two hours.
General Pershing's first wireless to
General Funston was sent from Ga
leana. He is believed to have been
Carranzistas brought news of the fight
ing.
Funston Hears Of Battle.
San Antonio, Tex, March 21.-Gen-
eral Funston in a wireless from Gen
eral Pes@ing placed Villa near Las
Cruces, after having been defeated in
battle by Carranzista troops. Three
cavalry columns of Pershing's force
are spreading out from Casas Grandes
in the hope of enveloping Villa
One of these columns Is we'll on its
way to Lake Babicora, below the
Cumbre tunnel, 70 miles as a wise
crow would fly from Casas Grandes.
The second is bound for Ell Vale,
20 miles south Of Galeana.
The third is galloping for Carmen,
62 miles southeast of Casas Grandes
Villa Is Hard Pressed.
Meanwhile the troops of what is
termed the main column are working
out of the main line between Column
bus and Casas Grandes.
General Pershing's message said
Villas defeat by Carranzistas at Las
Cruces was "unoficially" learned, but
1t was evident that he placed consid-
cradle reliance on the report. That
Villa is northbound, as the message
indicates. shows that he is hard
pressed. Villas loss in the Columbus
raid is now known to have been 200
men.
Il guess that looks like speeding
up" Funston remarked. Il am now
hopeful we will catch Villa soon, since
Pershing has definite knowledge of his
whereabouts"