Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-04-17

Washington, April 1T.-First official
news of the attack on American SOL
ders at Parral last Wednesday reach
ed the war department last night in a
relayed report from Brigadier General
Pershing. telling how Carranza soldiers
Joined civilians of the Mexican town in
an unprovoked assault upon two troops
of the Thirteenth cavalry under Major
Frank Tompkins, killing two and
wounding six of the troopers. The mes
sages said it was reported privately
that 40 Mexican soldiers, including a
major were killed and one civilian
wounded.
General Funston said last night that
while Major TomplSins undoubtedly
acted in accordance with his best
Judgment in retreating, he regretted
that he had not made stand on ac-
count of the i'll effect the story will
have on the Mexican people. who nat
urally will regard the incident as an
American defeat
Received Most GraoiousIy.
Major Tompkins arrived outside
Parral on the forenoon of April II
with two troops, NJ and K, of the Thir-
teenth cavalry. Reduced in number
the total of these two companies is
approximately 100 men. The report
that unarmed men went into Parral
appears to have been erroneous. Ma
jor Tompkins admitted that he did
march his small detachment quite
openly along the trail into the city
where they were met by General Loz-
sno, who received them most gracious
~.
The civil authorities arrived and
Joined in the courteous reception of the
major and his troops. The incident
appeared to be progressing without un-
pleasant features. General Dozano
and the civil authorities discussed
with Major Tompkins the question OF
camping sites, he and the local officials
deciding on one just outside the city
70 which Major Tompkins was direct
ed.
Major Tompkins entered the town
upon the invitation of an officer of the
Parral garrison. He stated that the
officer had met him 10 miles from Par
raj, introduced himself and urged him
to accept the hospitality of the military
and civil authorities.
Deliberately Led Into Trap.
kins report of the subsequent attack
caused officers here to express the
opinion that he and his men had beer
deliberately led into trap, although
perhaps not with the knowledge oil
General Lozano commanding officer
Major Tompkins was preparing tC
move out to the designated camp wher
soldiers and civilians began to throw
stones and to shoot at the Americans
Realizing that the action was that OF
a mob of civilians and of soldiers who
had gotten beyond the control of theil
officers Major Tompkins made nc
stand. but retreated his men towards
the city limits without making resist
ance. Shouting crowds followed them
while stones and occasional shots fell
among them. but without doing great
damage.
II was afternoon when Tompkins LED
his men into defensive position be-
hind railway embankment, outside
the town. The mob respected the adj
vantage the Americans had taken but
within brief time there appeared or
their flank a force of 300 Mexican
troops who began In military fashion
formal attack.
Major Tompkins was atill adverse tc
fighting in anything but defensive
manner against this force since every
officer who has entered Mexico with
the punitive expedition has had II i'm
pressed upon him that clashes with the
troops Of the defacto government must