Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-03-22
STORY OF Villas RAIDONTOWN
CFCOLUMBUS; MANY INCIDENTS

% miles over the Mexican line to
which point the American troops had
chased the invaders. Major Temp
kins, who commanded the American
expcdisionary force of our troops OF
cavalry, got SO far in the lead of the
rest OF his command with only IS men,
that the Villistas dismounted and TAX
ing shelter behind sand dunes, opened
fire. Mai. Tompkins had hole shot
through his hat and his horse was snot
from under him.
In the battle Capt Jens K. Stedje
came to the rescue and led pistol
charge of his troops that is described
rs brilliant. At the head Of his troop
ers, with drawn pistols. every man
yelling like a, Comanche Indian. the
returning soldier! say the captain rode
directly at the olcoming Villistas and
actually moved them down with his
fire, stopping their charge against Ma
jor TompkiEs ami his men.
The officers on duty with troops Oh
the 18th Cavalry engaged in the fight
IN Mexico were Capts. George Will
liams, Thomas F. Ryan, Hamilton
Bowie, r. E. Smyser, Jens E. StedJe
and o. w. Rethorst 1st Lieuts. NJ. G.
Holiday, w. A. Mccain. J. P. Castle
man and Levi G. Brown, End Lieuts.
E. l.. Franklin, John P. Lucas, E. n.
Coyle, G. C.. Benson. Horace String
fellow, Jr., and Veterinarian J. X. JEFF
frs b.
Colonel SIocun's Report.
Following is the text of Colonel Slo-
Gums report. as given out by Gen.
eral Funston at Fort Sam Houston on
March 8:
When Villa troops fell back, just be-
fore daylight, we followed them with
a dismounted line At the same time
sent Major Tompkins with three
troops mounted to attack. Tompkins
followed them with dismounted line.
Tompkins followed them for about
five miles into Mexico, having three
running fights with them, and they
finally made stand with their entire
force and stopped Tompkins's adj
vance, and he returned here.
We had one corporal killed in the
pursuit. The. Mexicans dropped con-
siderable material and loot that they
had gotten in town. =. tt,..2 e.;
| am reliably informed 1t was Villa
who made the attack with 1900 men,
leaving about 1000 on the river east
of Boca Grande. From his spies in
Columbus he was Informed that there
was but four troops here, with three
machine guns. Three of our troops
being out, he took this opportunity to
attack. He intended capturing the
town, footing the bank and killing all
Americans. :.@. p
Our casualties we're five wounded,
seven killed. Lieut.. Benson was shot
In the erm. Capt Williams, adjutant,
received a slight wound in the hand.
Eight civilians were killed in the
town, including one woman. We have
already buried q Mexican soldiers.
most of them killed in the camp, some
near the bank, and there are many
other dead Mexicans on Villas line of
retreat, about one mile west, not yet
collected, :s2
Mexican troops under Villas person
al command and by his orders made
the charge through the camp. Our
troops turned cut quickly and drove
the Mexicans out, killing II in or
about he camp. About 10 or IL Next
cans we're killed in the town. While
our people at that time in the morn
ing were surprised, they did their
work we'll. Villas attempt to capture
camp and town was a complete fail
ure.
i recommend one battalion of infan-
try, one squadron OF the Sth Cavalry
to be sent here, and that the mounted
troops be used to follow up villa. leav-
ing the infantry to protect the town.
do not believe Villa will make an
other attempt here. Several of our
family living in town had narrow es-
capes,. as the attack was fierce.
All peaceful as a summer morning
at this writing. ! have sent five
wounded to Fort Bliss. The dead will
follow. All troops, including machine
gun troop, now here. Lindsey and
his force are in from Gibbons.
Reginald McKenna, British Chancel.