Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-06-24
Army Officers on Border
Think 1t Possible One
Troop Destroyed.
ONLY SEVEN MEN
REACH PERSHING
Commander OF Expeditonary Force
Reports to General Pcrshing 1net
story Of Survivors Indicates De-
tachment Lnred to Destruction.

san Antonio Tex, June 23.--Two
troops of the Tenth cavalry, under
capt. Chas. G. Boyd practically were
wiped out by the attack of Mexican
forces under Gen. Felix Gomez ut
Calrizal June q, according to indica-
tlCns given in fragmentary report
received by General Funston from
General PershinR tonight. General
Pershing's message stated that seven
survivors in all including those who
arrived last night, have reached the
main column. All were enlisted men.
According to the stories of these,
as outlined in General Pershing's re-
port, a mounted force of McXicans
made charge from the flank, at The
conclusion of parlev between Can
tain Boyd and General Gomez, at the
same time that machine gun opened
fire from the front, as General
Gomez reached his line. CAPTAIN
Boyd had ordered his men to dis
mount as the machine gun opened
fire, and the combined effects of the
Mexican charge and machine gun
fire and the rifle fire from the Mexi-
can garrison at Carrizal. which had
almost surrounded the little Ameri-
can force under cover of the marley
sought by General Gomez to discuss
whether Captain Boyd should be al
lowed to pass through the town, stam-
peded the horses.
No details are made known by Gem
~ h d. t<,. yIx,% IL, ~
lean charge was checked
With their mounts gone, the men
were caught without means of es-
cape and hemmed about on three
sides, with the fire of an overwhelm-
ing force, the fate of the little de-
tachment is believed by officers here
to have been sealed. They fear thai
only most tremendous luck, backed
by desperate valor, could have extri-
Gated Captain Boyd's men from the
trar.
The report from Mexican sources
had placed the number of killed, in
two officers. at from IL to
ID. 1t was reported that II were
taken captives. The accepted per-
centage of wounded to the killed
would place the wounded at from 35
to 40. The strength of troops and
< is not known here, but 1t is esti-
mated it could not have exceeded 1870
men, allowing for those sick and on
detached service. With but seven
survivors reported as arriving at the
main column. the number of those ac-
counted for is pitifully small.
The r9nOrf from Coporo1 Dorcb;,,
state dthat the stories of the surviv-
IFS was confused and did not conform
n all details with the reports made |
~ the first arrivals from the battle |
ield. General Pershing reDorted |
here was a scene of wild confusion |
When the MeXicans made the attack.
The stragglers, apparently, were cut
If in the effort of Captain Boyd to
his men from the jaws of the
rap, or they fled before the outcome
# the battle could be learned.
General Pershing, according to his
'eport, had received no word from
he two battalions of the Eleventh
avalry which he had sent to rescue
he remnants of Captain Boyd's ex-
edition.
He stated he had taken no action
oward learning the situation of this
xnedition.
General Funston said tonight that
Re had received no news regarding
he report that General Pell had
rossed the border at Ell Paso, and
hat no confirmation had been receiv-
d of rumors of reported bandit raids
ear Hachita N M and Rrownsville
Piecing together various stories,
rmy men believe that Captain Boyd,
fter he had dismounted and deploy-
d his men, had been forced to fall
ack to escape the crossfire of the
lexicans, who practically had sur
ounded him under cover of parley.
is believed that those captured
lay have been cut off from the main {
ody by an overwhelming force and
breed to surrender.
Troopers Released Horses.
The fact that men detailed to hold
lie horses reached General Perish
le's column also is believed to ac-
punt in measure for the heavy cos
alties. 1t is thought that they might :
ave turned loose the horses they
ere holding after selecting the best
" their own mounts.
The command was without wagon. !
retchers or other means of trans
orting the wounded, and the loss of {
le horses may have been a serious q
ctor in delaying retreat, encum- {
sred with wounded men. lr