The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-03-10
AMERICANS IN.
BATTLE WITH.
VILLA BANDITS
Engage 1900 Mexicans Who
Raided and Shot Up Co
lurnbus, N. M.
SIXTEEN AMERICANS
ARE SHOT DOWN
American Troops Invade
Mexico And Are Fight
ing Is Miles Away.
SIXTEEN AMERICANS
ARE SHOT DOWN

Columbus, New Mexico, March 81
Five troops Of the Thirteenth cavalry,
Of not less than two hundred and fifty
men, commanded by Majors Tomp-
kins and Lindsey, late today engaged
the villa forces rctreating from Co
Iumbus fifteen miles south of the
Mexican border. According to re-
ports reaching Colonel Slocun, COM
nnanding the troops here, spirited
fighting IL in progress. The force
under Major Tomplxins followed
the bandits out of Columbus this
morning, after villa with five hum
ired men had raided the town, killing
as least sixteen Americans. Major
Lfndiey, with three more troops, went
70 reinforce Tomplxins later.
Meagre details reaching here say
that Captain Williams, adjutant of
the Thirteenth cavalry was wounded
and Q private killed in the fighting
south Of the border, where five troops
are engaging the bandits. A report
here, which was relayed to Hachfta,
New Mexico, headquarters tonight. is
that the villa force has crossed the
border west Of here with the evident
intention Of attacking the Seventh
cavalry border guard near there.
The raid on American territory to-
day proved costly to Villa. The bodies
OF eighteen bandits, including Pablo
hopex, second In command, were
burned before noon, and troopers re-
ported an undetermined number ly-
ing IN the brush.
ATTACK BEFORE DAWN.
villa, leading his men, attacked be-
fore dawn, completely surprising the
soldiers encamped, and while portions
Of the raiders engaged the cavalry
men others set buildings afire and
Hnipers, posted at Villas direction,
killed American civilians as they fed
from their burning homes. Many
residents barricaded themselves In
houses.
The bandits, crying ''death to
Americans and "rViva Villa" terror
lied the town for two hours before
they were driven of by cavalrymen.
Private Barton, one of The wounded
taken to Ell Paso, was quoted tonight
as saying the American machine gun
failed to work.
Mrs. Maud Hauk Wright, who had
been nine days captive of Villa on
~his march from the Palomas ranch
region to Columbus, was liberated
here during the fighting. She said
Villa proceeded under forced marches
pad HIS men with scant provisions,
were beaten by the officers to keep
them going. She had slept in the
saddle since March 1, she asserted,
after Villas men had taken of her
husband, Edward John Wright, of Pa
Tomas ranch, and taken her baby
away and given it to a Mexican fam
ny. It is reported Wright, with four
others, was killed. As Villa closed
On Columbus, Mrs. Wright said, he
declared in a rage he would make
torches Of every woman and child in
Columbus and eventually kill every
one in the United States with the
help of Germany and Japan.
TWO WOMEN KILLED.
The number Of slain American sol
diers was placed at six. Four men
citizens Of Columbus, and two women
are known to have been killed. Three
other men and a woman are listed
among the known wounded.
Prior to the attack the Villa ban
dts hanged three Americans whom
they held as prisoners for some DAYS
according to information received
here. Their bodies were burned. the
report said.
The Villa men were said to have
been joined by Carranza soldiers
after they crossed the border. A deer
ditch parallels the United State,
army camp, the customs house anC
the railroad station. Through thi,
gully the bandits made a concealed
approach.
After posting snipers at advan
tageous points, the bandits set fir,
IN buildings, including the depot anS