Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-25
FIRST STORY OF
TMEXICAN INVASION
associated Press Man Describes in
Detail Crossing Of Border and
March Through Desert.
ARMY MOVES AT GREAT SPEED

IFont IN MEXICO Is Jne IlISI COhplete
story of the crossing of the border
Of the punitive expedition sent to
avenge the Columbus massacre.
HEADQUARTERS UNITED
sTATEs PUNITIVE EXPEDITION,
near Colonis, Dubisn, chihuahua,
Mex. March 22.-(By Wagon Train
10 Columbus, N. NJ, March 2S.)-
Reaching here by a forced march
that demonstrated the endurance of
the American soldier and obviously
amazed the Mexicans, several thou
sknd United States troops, cavalry,
Infantry and artillery were scattered
-e5day between this point and the
northern boundary of the district OF
Guerroco, intent on the task of cap
turing or killing of Francisco villa
in the shortest possible time and ex-
terminating the bandit band with
which he raided Columbus. N. M,
and slaughtered nine civilians on
March 8. Troop movements and dis
positions. however, 1t was said, were
shrouded in the strictest secrecy, by
order Of the War department.
Flag Crosses the Border.
The entry into Mexico occurred at 1901
D. m. March 10. At that moment the
American flag with the standard OF the
Thirteenth cavalry. 200 men, which beat
off Villas raiders. despite the surprise
movement OF the Mexican brigands. were
carried over the boundary by the guard
Colonel Herbert j. Slocum, commanding
the Thirteenth, was the first commanding
officer to cross. he was followed py
Major James A. Ryan, acting chief-of-
staff to General John j. Pershing. who
Commands the punitive expedition.
tThis was column number one' consist
ing of infantry. artillery and cavalry and
burdened with heavy wagon trains. 1t
nncved rather slowly, and camped the
ANfst night at Palomas, a filthy village
bof adobe huts and "go-downs" seven
miles below the boundary, south of Co
lunbus. Column number two entered
Mexico from Culbersons ranch. fifty-one
miles south Of Hechita, N NJ. General
PershinE. who had accompanied the first
column part of the way TO Palomas, re-
raced to Culberson's in an automobile.
and, taking command Of the second or
Flying column" drove It more than ITO
miles over the desert of Chihuahua in
twenty-five hours actual marching time.
spies Dot the Route.
Official records show that spies dotted
the route of the first column, but the
men of the second column had forged
their way fifty miles into the country
before a single native was seen; and to
the patent surprise of the Mexicans
reached here Friday night, exactly forty
two hours after crossing the border at
B:T Thursday morning.
In this column. every man was mounted
and the numbering wagon trains were
suppIanted by army mules, which made
the entire distance under heavy packs
with the loss of only three OF their num-
Der.
Battery B, Of the Sixth Field artillery.
commanded by Captain Ldgar II. Yule
and Lieutenant Charles Z. george. formed
a unit Of the flying column. While the
cavalry traversed trails through the NAL
pals or bad country of the Sierra Madre
mountains, 6,OOo to 5000 feet high. the
battery, encumbered by heavy ambu-
lances and the field wireless equipment,
Travelled the valley roads. longer by
. eighteen miles. Nevertheless, 1t reaches
Scamp only one hour and a nalf behind
~ cavalry, without the loss OF mule
or Horse and not a sore back among any
of the animals. Officers declared this
would long stand as a record OF speed
and endurance.
Given First Place.
The Thirteenth cavalry. because of itl
accomplishment in driving Villas greatly
superior numbers out Of Columbus after
a brief engagement. was given first place
in the first column. Muster of the ala
command found here after he passed
through going southwark eight days age
showed that he made the raid on Colum-
bus with $50 men. Raving in anger after
his deal deserters reported that theiI
chieftain killed five of his officers and
men as towards. There were 293 in his
command when he retreated through
Colonia Dublan. The Thirteenth ac-
counted for the rest.
Major Frank Tompkins. who took fifty
nine men of his squadron and drove the
bandits fifteen miles into Mexico after
they had crossed the border. commanded
! the advance guard. The rest of the cav
airy under Major Elmer Lindsey fol
lowed. Then came the mountain anC
field guns. next the dough boys" Of the
infantry regiments and last the wagor
trains, field hospital and sanitary equip
ment and the field wireless.
The orders were for every man Il
travel light" Officers and men wer,
permitted 20 carry much more thar
the clothing and equipment work upor
Their persons. The trains. nevertheless
were long and heavy.
RatiOnH for Five Days.
Vast quantities OF ammunition for all
.ypes OF arms including the machine
guns of the cavalry and infantry, ac
counted for most of the weight Rationi
were carried for only five days Th'
rations were bacon. hard tack and coffee
The column stretched out a length o
a mile and half. From Columbus
three miles north of the boundary line
only vast cloud Of dust. whipped q
great height by a high wind could b,
seen, and two hours later. when tn,
troops began making camp the men wer
thickly powdered from head to foot b,
grsyish white coatings OF pulverized lava
The sense of smell detected Palorna
long before its collection Of brown. sun
burned huts OF mud and cobblestone
came into view. The odors were those q
stock yards and tannery combined
CIoear thar xuaa addad