The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-04
WHEN LAYTON
 INVADED MEXICO

When the American troops crossed the Mexican border in pursuit of Villa they were destined to travel over much of the same country that was covered by the little invading force led by Capt. Harry w. Lawton in his pursuit of Geronimo, the Apache chieftain, in 1886. It was just thirty years ago. to-day, May 4, 1886, that Capt. Lawton, of the Fourth Cavalry, receiv- ed the command of an expedition into Mexico. The official order, dated at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, May 4, 1886, set forth that Lawton's command was to consist of "thirty-f1ve men of Troop B, Fourth Cavalry, twenty In dian scouts, twenty men of Company w, Eighth Infantry, and two pack trains" The Apaches, Ishmaelites of New Mexico and Arizona and northern Mexico, had caused so much trouble in former years that the United States and Mexican governments had entered into a convention by which the troops of either country, in pursuit of ma rauding Indians, were permitted to dis regard the international boundary This convention was revived at the outset of the present expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa.
 Dr. Leonard Wood, then young surgeon, was one of Lawton's compan- ions on that expedition into the Mexi- can wiIds. Little time was lost in
 
 der was received the cavalcade cross ed the border and plunged into Mexi- co. Their search was carried on in a rough, mountainous country thor oughIy familiar to the Apaches, but a. terro incognito to the white men. The invaders were entirely dependent for supplies upon their pack trains. In the intense heat, which often reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and with lit tie water to stay their burning thirst, the soldiers suffered terribly, but they hung on the trail of the marauders. The Indiar.s were able to subsist on roots. cactus, rabbits, mice ands rats and they know every place where wa ter could be secured
 Throughout May, June and July the pursuit continued. During the first two months of the campaign, Lawton wrote in his report, ''my command | marched, including side scouts and lreconnoisances, 1896 miles, nearly all of which distance was over rough, high nountains.'' In the middle of July the American force discovered the camp of the Indians, but, the lat ter managed to escape leaving all their camp equipment and supplies be- hind. During this short cam paign,' '' wrote Lawton, t'the suffering was in tense- The country was indescribab- 1 ly rough and the weather sWe1tering- ly hot, with heavy rains every day or n1SnC- The endurance or the men was tried to the utmost limit. Disabi1- ities resulting from excessive fatigue reduced the infantry to fourteen men, and they were worn out and without 1 shces.''
 The redskin marauders made good l their escape, Eut in August they were so closely pressed and so worn out by the long flight that they communicated to the Mexicans a desire to surrender. l Geronimo, says Lawton in his report,
 "came into camp and intinated his desire to make peace, but wished to see and talk with General Miles. : | The hostiles agreed to move with me near Fort Bowie, where General Miles | then was. The day following. they agreed to surrender to General Miles and to do whatever he told them, and | Geronimo's brother went to Bowie to assure the General of their good faith.
 On the 4th of September the hostiles surrendered as agreed, and were ta- ken to Fort Bowie During the lat ter part of the campaign the command marched and secuted. 1,645 miles, ma king a total of 3,O41 miles marched and secuted during the whole cam paign. The command taking the field May 5th continued almost constantly
 on the trail of the hostiles until their surrender more than four months la
 ter, with scarcely days rest or in l termission.''