The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-19
PARKER'S COMMAND
 BOUTS BANDITS WHO
 ATTACKED RANCHES
(Continued from Page One)

Grande yesterday morning in pursuit of "hot trail" His command corl- prised Troop H of the Third cavalry. second expedition which crossed at o'clock yesterday afternoon, headed by Maj. Edward Anderson of the Third cavalry comprised second squadron Of the Third cavalry, one machine gun troop, one machine gun company Of the Twenty sixth infantry, one bat talion of the Twenty sixth infantry and a detachment of the Fourth infantry. Tie entire expedition which swan the Rio Grande took position 2n the Mex ican side two miles from the ford and sent out scouting parties. The bandits fled before the American forces and only one charge marked their stay on the Mexican side until the rear guard action as the expedition was with drawing. During last night Major An dersons outpost was fired upon from q Mexican house. The house was charged by the Americans but ihe oc- cupants were too quick for them and had fled into the brush. The entire section opposite San Pedro was thor oughly searched and while there was occasional sniping, none of the Amer jeans nor their horses were injured.
 RETIREMENT BEGUN
 The retirement of the expedition began early today, upon instructions from Gen. James Parker, commanding this military district, who had exchanged messages with Gen. Alfredo Ricaut, Carranza com mander of the Matamoros district. J z.
 
 termedary
 General Ricaut, according to the mes sages, promised he would capture and punish the bandits who raided the Amer ican side of the Rio Grande. The Mata- moros commander demanded the imme- diate withdrawal of the troops on mak- ing this promise and it's acceptance by General Parker. threatening to attack un- less this was done. Consul Garza told General Parker General Ricaut might not be able to stop the Mexican troops in the brush who might attack. He was told the United States cavalry could stop them. General Ricaut last night had. de- manded the immediate withdrawal of the expedition and threatening to attack un- less this was done. Ricaut was told it is understood, that an attack meant war. Today's exchanges between the two com manders resulted in a promise being ex- acted from Ricaut that he would captureI and punish the bandits who raided thel American side. General Parker accepted this promise and ordered the withdrawal through Col. R. l.. Bullard of the Twenty sixth infantry, who had joined the ex- petition during the night. The expedition recrossed the river on pontoon bridges.
 General Parker's report to General Fun ston on the expedition filed before the| expedition began withdrawing, during which it was attacked by bandits from the rear, follows:
 PARKER'S REPORT
 Mai. Edward Anderson and his squad ron of the Third cavalry, supporting Lieu tenant Newmans detachment which had followed the bandits across the river cleaned out a nest of bandits of ranches opposite the San Pedro-Ranchita district. On the appearance of our command at the ranches the bandits scattered and sniped during yesterday afternoon and occasionally until midnight, since which no Mexicans have been seen, nor have there been any further firing at our troops. There were no casualties on our side.
 Camp yesterday was made some two miles back from the crossing, to which the command returned this morning No Carranzista troops were encountered. The object of the crossing having been ac- complished and in consequence of prom ises made by the Mexican commander, General Ricaut, to capture and punish the bandits, I have ordered Colonel Bull lard, commanding. to withdraw Major Anderson's command to this side of the RIO Grande and go into camp at San Pe- dro, with the entire command, consist ing of the second squadron of the Third cavalry, plus a machine gun there plus one machine gun company of the Twenty sixth infantry. one battalion of the Twen- ty-sixth infantry and a detachment of the Fourth infantry.
 'It is believed that the prompt and vigorous action taken in hot pursuit and following across the hitherto safe refuges of these notorious raiders, will have fine salutary effect on conditions along this part of the border"