Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-10

C'@N ~ - ANs W. halNh
Personal papers of Francisco villa
were contained in portmanteau
found by United States trooper
just west of the American camp.
COLUMBUS, n. NJ, March .
Francisco villa, outlawed Mexican
bandit. raided United States terri
tory today. With 1900 men he at
tackled Columbus, killed at least
sixteen Americans and fired many
buildings before he was driven back
across the international border.
At least $50 troopers of the Thlr-
teenth United States cavalry fol-
lowed the villa band into Mexico.
Reports to Colonel II. ]. Slocum late
today stated that Villa had made a
stand five miles south of the border,
where spirited fighting ensued. In
this engagement an unnamed private
was killed and Captain Adjutant
George Williams was wounded.
Holding Ground.
The small detachment OF troopers, un-
der Majors Tompkins and Llndsley. fight
ing dismounted. made a determined stand
against the renewed villa attack and at
last reports were holding their ground.
The raid to American territory proved
costly to the bandit ch.eftain. The bodies
Of eighteen Mexican bandits, including
Pablo Lopez, second in command, had
k,tr
and troopers reported an undetermined
number OF dead still lying in the, brush.
Led to the attack under the slogan,
Death TO tho Americans" Villas fol-
lowers fought with desperation. Just be-
fore dawn they crept along bitches skirt
ing the United States cavalry camp and
rushed the sleeping town. firing heavily.
The first volley brought American troop
ers into almost instant action. While q
portion OF the raiders engaged the cav
alrymen, others detailed by the bandit
chieftain began applying the torch and
shooting American civilians who ventured
from the buildings.
Target for SniperH.
Lights I'm homes and public buildings
immediately became targets for snlpers
creeping close TO American homes. en-
uced number Of civilians into the open
with English-spoken invitations. A num-
Der OF fatalities are attributed TO this
ruse
Stores were looted. oil was poured on
frame structures and the match applied
by still other bandits. The postoffice
was raided. fur ,ture smashed, but the
looters secured only one small registered
'Dackage
Many civilians barricaded themselves in
their home and fired at the Mexicans as
the darted through the streets.
The fighting in the town ended al
most as suddenly as It began. Less than
two hours after the first shot was heard,
Villas buglers sounded the retreat and
the invaders began a disorderly flight
closely followed by American troopers
villa In Charge.
WASHINGTON, March "a dispatch
from General Pershing forwarded to the
War department late today through Gem
eral Funston, stated definitely that the
Mexican raiders were commanded by
Villa personally.
General Pershlng's report follows:
Slocum reports by telephone and asks
me report that villa himself led the
charge through camp with a force esti-
mated at from 90 to 900 men. Eleven
Mexicans were killed in camp any TWEEN
ty-three altogether so far"
-Four enlisted men killed and officer
and seven men were wounded. Prisoners
state Villa very bitter, vowing death to
all Americans. villa retreating into hills
southeast.
Must Only Go Two Miles.
"SloCum sent five troops I'm pursuit
with orders not to go more than two
niles beyond the border. Slocvm thinks
he has enough to handle situation aud
recommends that cavalry be sent II any
numbers Of troops are to go aftcr Villa.
several OF the attacking party were
killed and several wounded by the Amer
lean forces. The attacking party burne
the depot and prime pal buildings at Co
lumbus.
The department Is in rcccip. Of 4 mail
dispatch dated February "A from From
teras, in the state of Sonora, stating tha.
the governor OF the state OF Tnbasco, by
a decree dated February s. officially
changed the name OF the canital OF that
stat from San Juan Bautista TO villa
HCsnOga