The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-03-23
CROSS BORDER FOR VILLA
GENERAL PERSHiNG BEGINS PUR.
SUIT OF VILLA ON MEXICAN
SOIL.

gage With U. S. Troops-Exact
whereabouts Of Villa Unknown.
Many Watch Soldiers Gross Border
Line to Begin Hunt.
San Antonio. Texas. -Brigadicr Gen.
"i ferShing with more than 1000
troops began the pursuit in Mexico Of
Francisco villa, whose raid across the
ooroer last week caused President Will
son ana his cabinet to decide to use
the United States army to run him
down
General Pershing's report that he
ana his command had crossed the in.
'eFnaNonal boundary line just south
OF columbus. \. NJ. have reached Mai
Gen. Frederick Funston. in charge her,
OF general operations. Reports of the
progress in the country where search
mas been begun will be made by Gen.
ferSh'ng to Gen. Funston. but it is not
anticipated that these will be FREQUENT
OF oeal with any but the more impor
tant developments.
How far into Mexico the column had
reached was not known here, nor did
Heherai Funston appear greatly con
serned, General Pershing's course for
| 'he next two days is known at head.
1 quarters and not until after several
Gays are sharp developments expected.
Col. George ]. Dodd. heading smaller
column that entered Mexico some
distance west of Columbus also ;s
moving IN southerly direction and
these two forces should be within
touch OF each other soon. By tina,
! Iime II is expected an infantry sun
/ port VIII hold the lines of communica.
'ion along which motorrucks for the
transportation OF ammunition and sun.
plies will be operated.
The censorship imposed by General
funston was relaxed but efforts still
were made TO keep secret the details
OF the plan Of campaign. the exact
number Of men engaged and their ac.
tual locations.
General Pershng's report OF his en-.
trance into Mexico served to dispel
10 great extent fears in some
quarters that resistance would be Of
lered by troops Of the de facto govern.
ment. Colonel Bertaini the command
Ell or the Carranza garrison at Paio.
mas. on the south side OF the dividing
me promptly joined General Pershing
MS iorce was only some 400 men. but
'hey were reported to have displayed
Willingness and even eagerness to ioin
IN the chase. AS body the Mexican
troops will remain under their own
COMMANDER, but number OF them are
peihg employed as scouts by General
Pershing
General Pershing has gone into
Mexico with orders to oyertake ond
wipe out Villa and his organization
uniess orders to the contrary arc re.
| ceived from those higher in author,.
~ than General Funston, the cam.
PalRn mat was begun will continue
until villa Is captured or killed. No
limits have been placed on tho field
OF operations. After the campaign Is
well under way. It was pointed ont
circumstances may cause restrictions.
out just now the troops are prepared
70 go anywhere to carry out the presi.
dents orders.
There are now available In this do.
partment for operations In Mexico
more than 10000 troops and plans
for recruiting the companies to full
strength arc expected to increase tho
number quickly. Cavalry posts have
been relieved by infantry In most
cases In order to furnish moro mo
bile force for tho pursuit OF villa, al.
though In the expedition that wont in
today thero Ia considerable forco
of artillery which can bo reinforced
at any time by several moro batteries
now held on the American sido within
easy distance OF tho border,
Bands affiliated with villa IN tho
north have not indicated thoir inten.
tons, hut brisk activity on their part
VIII not surprise American army OF.
hcers. 1t Is anticipated that In chas.
ing villa these bands will have to be
met from time to time and engaged.
Nothing IN tho days reports indi.
Gated that tho detection OF tho small
Carranza garrison at OJlnaga had boon
Followed by other Mexican government
troops and action OF Col, Bertaini's
troops IN Joining the American expadi.
ton supported belief that most OF Car. |
ranzas forces would support him IN
hia promise OF cooperation.