The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-06-20

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velopments, after having, according to
General Parker S official report, "clean-
ed out nest of bandits on ranches op-
posite the San Pedro Ranchito
district.' Three ranches included the
Tahuachal ranch, about 10 miles west
of Matamoros, which is notorious as a
bandit haven.
Military authorities tonight regarded
est possibilities. This was occasioned
by the possibility that it was a detach-
ment Of de facto government troops
commanded by a young lieutenant, who
led the attack on the Americans as they
were leaving Mexico. This officer was
killed and his costume was found to be
composed partly of the uniform of a
Carranza soldier.
Although the official report of the
fight to army headquarters said one was
killed and two wounded, it was con-
frmed in Matamoros tonight that two
Mexicans were killed.
The attack on the rear guard was
made after two troops and machine
gun troop of the t., " had re-
crossed to the United States Troops
and F, commanded by Lieutenants
John Read, Jr., and body, were back
from the river, covering the retreat to
the Rio Grande
The outpost reported the appearance
of small band of mounted men who,
on seeing the Americans, opened fire
Troop E quickly replied and was joined
by troop F. The firing continued for
10 minutes at a range of approximately
| 500 yards. Two men were seen to fall
from their horses. , The supposed lieu,
tenant went to the aid of one of those
-es-nae'l, hset was STRUCK by two hui
The cavalry then charged the Mex
cans who fed in the direction of Mata-
mOros. The chase continued miles,
when Maj. Edward Anderson, in COM
mand ordered it halted, on orders from
headquarters here to recross the river.
The first section of the fourth puni-
tive expedition commanded by ieuten
ant Newman, crossed the Rio Grande
yesterday morning in pursuit of hot
trail. His command comprised troop
H, of the third cavalry. A second sec
tion crossed at 8 o. CLOCK yesterday af-
terternoon, headed by Major Anderson
The entire expedition which swan the
Rio Grande took position on the Mexi-
can side two miles from the ford and
sent out scouting parties.
The bandits fed before the American
forces. Last night Major Anderson 3
outpost was fred upon from Mexican
house. The house was charged by the
Americans, but the occupants fed into
the bushes. The entire section opposite
San Pedro was thoroughly searched an
while there was occasional sniping none
of the Americans nor their horses wer'
injured.
The retirement of the expedition be
gan early today upon instructions from
General Parker, commanding this mill
tary district, who had exchanged mes
sages with General Ricaut, Carranz
commander Of the Matamoros district
Mexican Consul J. q. Cara acted as in
termediarv.
! General Ricaut, according to the mes
: sages, promised he would capture an
j punish the bandits who raided tn
8 American side of tbs Rio Grande. Th
r immediate withdrawal Of the troops {
Il making this promise and its acceptanc
: by General Parker, threatening to a
II tack unless this was done. s|ansul Ga
d "a told the American officer that Gel
eral Ricaut might not be able to ste
- the Mexican troops in the brush WI
might attack. He was told the Unite
States cavalry could stop them.
V General Ricaut last night demande
i the immediate withdrawal of the exp
.c dition and threatened to attack un1e
a. this was done, Ricaut was told, it
understood, such an attack meant We
iIOday s exchanges DcCWeSA 1HO w
~ commanders resulted in a promise b
~ ing exacted from Ricaut that he wou
ut capture and punish the bandits W
a raided the American side. Gene1
st Parker accepted this promise and
i dered the withdrawal through Col.
x L. Bullard, of the Goth, infantry, w
r.: had joined the expedition during t
night. The expedition recrossed t
vo river on pontoon bridges.
IN General Parker's report to Gene1
Funston on the expedition, filed befe
n the expedition began withdrawing a
he was attacked as follows:
IT. Major Edward Anderson and
SQUADRON of the third cavalry, suppo
vo ing Lieutenant Newman 5 detachmt
h. which had followed the bandits acr'
he the river, cleaned out nest OF band
on ranches opposite the San Pedro r
hit chito district. On the appearance OF