Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1916-07-31
ILL|N0|SANS
REPEL PICKET
LINE RAID"
Bangl
Wat t'ell''
wat t'ell."


This almost universal exclamation
ran in and out the company streets in
the First Illinois cavalry camp ~ l2:i5
q. m. SUNDAY and with il troopers be-
gan tumbling of cots with gun in hand.
Tousled heads and sleepy faces COM
menced showing through tent flaps.
Bang! Bang bang.
And tousled heads and sleepy faces
which but moment before had been
showed daringly into the open. suddenly
withdrew TO the uncertain protection OF
the inside of the tents. Bullets were
whistling through camp.
For III troop, commanded by Captain
William A. Peterson. was doing guard
ana patrol Sunday night and patrol
of the troop under Corporal X. e. Hol-
land. had sighted al distance Of six
hundred yards. according 10 IN official
horses. The patrol was reinforced by the
other members Of the detachment and
the party moved forward in skirmish
line in command of Corporals l.. j.
Keating and Holland.
An attempt apparently had been
maoe 10 raid the picket line Of the First
Illinois cavalry. The patrol advanced
about four hundred yards, and came iii
sight of one man with four horses. The
single man was challenged and he re-
piled Ia the challenge with a single
shot from shotgun. without ciiecA
taking to the brush and leaving his
four horses. The patrol promptly op
ened with yolley in the direction In
which the man disappeared. The band
its seemed 10 have been completely rout
ed. for search revealed none.
In the meantime a patrol was sent
north from the camp To inspect any at
empt Of the supposed raiders to make
their escape across the Rio Grandc. AT
ter advancing about three quarters Of
u mile this patrol was fired on once
from somewhere in the darkness Only "A
single shot was returned. for nothing
could be- seen in the utter darkness
But this was not the end Of the nights
incidents. Not once were the cavalry
men surprised by an occasional shot
and OCCASIONAL vofleys of shots, but the
firing continued almost through the
balance of the night. Interfering sadly
with the sleep Of those preferring sleep
to the excitement of bandit raid.
Al 2:l5 "A. M, outpost No. 3 reported
il was fired on from ambush quarter of
"A mile northwest Of the camp. No
results.
AT 3:O5 a. m. two shots were fired
toward the cavalry camp. one passing
near the guardhouse and causing fur
ther unrest 10 the sleeping troopers.
AT 40 the patrol operating north
ward from the camp under Corporal
Holland was again fired on
The firing on Hollands patrol caused
suspicion To be thrown against house
i'm the vicinity and the detachment
promptly surrounded the place This
was followed bv another and different
kind of thrill for the troopers. Sudden
" 4 skvrocket shot up into the dark
ness Of the night about quarter If
mile from the patrol. 1t was followed
in few moments by another rocket
which watching troopers said seeming
To he south Of the Rio Grandc. for IL
was quite some distance away in the
direction Of the Rio Grandc These were
signals. il was inferred.
The house was closely watched until
daylight. il was searched for contra
band. hut wiihout result
The incidents II the night wer report
cd to the cavalry headquarters.