El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-03-20
WHAT CEN. MILES
DID IN MEXICO
Former Commander of the
American Army Tells of
Previous Campaigns.

I , dshington, D. c.. March 9O.-When
zen; Pershing plunged south over the
DOioer IN pursuit of the bandit, Pancho
VIA ana his cutthroats he knew he
Moufu nave other enemies to fight than
tiS u dIty Mexican leader In Chihua-
hua are some of the driest deserts in
4 lne world, waste lands given over to
me lattesnakes and the mesquite
uIush, where no human can live ex-
cept on The supplies and the water he
takes with him.
The bandit. chief viii probably in
time retire TO the Businesses Of the
sierra Madre, or other lofty ranges.
mere TO thirst and hunger win be
sudeo Tor the American soldiers. the
haodshlpS OF climbing high passes and
uaVersing untracled, rough regions.
bare OF railroads, highways or even
good trails
Mules Must Climb.
The army mule must emulate the
mountain goat. II is vast, almost
unmolested region of thousands or
square miles. in which Villa and other
Mexican outlaws have often defied the
forces or law and order Here villa
hid from Porfirio Diaz for years in
the old days before the rise Of Fran
cisco ]. Nadero and Pascual Orozco.
Yet American soldiers have tracked
a human fox to its lair here before ana
can do il again If de facto president
Carranza leaves their hands free. In
1885 Gen. Nelson A. Miles captured the
indian warrior Geronimo. who had
harried the border for forty years. al
though the aboriginal knew and used
every lurking place Of the mountain
Businesses.
In Human Life" Gen Miles tells the
story Of the Geronimo campaign, de-
scrlbing the land in which Villa is now
hiding as follow:
Gen MiIeS's story.
In a vast area of rugged mountains
and narrow valleys, with water only
az scattered points. one of the most
desperate tribes of indians OF the west
was hidden. swooplng down in sudden
raids on the frontier settlements ca1.r,-
ing death and devastation.
During the summer we established
thirteen stations in New Mexico and
fourteen in Arizona. The preliminary
plans were rapidly pushed and so0a
arrived at stage where # was neccs-
sary 10 select the force to resort =,
their fsvorite tactics Of retreating into
Mexico. The command was perfectly
equipped and prcvisioned as abundantiy
as possible i'm a manner to- make e.
independent Of wagon transportation.
Indians Open Fight.
Before we were entirely ready. the /
hostiles themselves commenced oper-
ations by a reckless raid from the Mex
lean territory After a warm pursuit /
OF two hundred miles, the Apaches were !
in the PuritO mountains in /
:
followed. in which the indians were de- (;
feated The greater number, however. !
succeeded in escaping.
In broken detachments to the south I
and west their trail was again taken (
up. The story of that exciting cam
paign would fill scores of pages The !
indians were pursued and successfully ]
fought in several engagements. In the /
mountains the indians reeained some
hing Of their strength and, dividing
H.. al
es Of vicious attacks on the exposed
Left Crimson Trail.
striking with such sudden force that !
Z was impossible to anticipate their
aids. they left 4 literally crimson trail. /
still on their track toilled our pursuing
orces by relays with an endurance and
duck that I believe have seldom been
duplicated IN any army The obstacle
n their path daily increaced.
The heat was so intense at times that
he men could not place their hands on
he metal parts Of their rifles Much
# the country had been burned by the
indians as they advanced, and for sew
raj miles not a shred of grass could
le seen. The water was so scarce
hat at few periods during the pursuit
,ould the soldiers obtain a sufficient
quantity
Plans Miscnrried.
unfortunately the plans Of advance
lightly miscarried. But although inc
indians escaped some of their animals,
amp equipage and a large amount OF
were captured. With the
ugitives still at large the task of the
weary soldiers was not yet accomplish !
d, and again they pursued on the track /
# the flying foe.
ION the 18th Of August word was re-
eived that the Apaches were making I
oward the Torres mountains. Sharply
eering his course to head off the ]
indians. Captain Lawton arrived in the I
efghborhood Of Fronteres near the
ange on the Goth II was here that he
earned for the first time that the
.ostiles discouraged by his vigorous I
actics. had communicated their desire
or surrender"