The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-04-24

Troops of jor Tompkins Were Close
on Heels of Outlaw Band When Car
ranzistas Delivered Treacherous
Attack
Pershing's Camp at Front, April 16.
by aeroplane to Columbus, n. NJ, April
22.-The fight at Parral, where accord
ing to indisputable evidence reaching
here, Carranza troops in force attack
ed the cavalry command of Major
Frank Tompkins, has changed the en-
tire aspect of the Villa chase, so far
as immediate military plans are con-
cerned.
This attack upon an American force,
which went in perfect good faith into
Parral, in the most friendly fashion.
blocked what seemed to be an exec
lent opportunity for either the cap
ture of Villa or the dispersal of one
Of his strongest bands.
Heretofore the American troops
have reckoned only on meeting oppo-
sition from brigands, but resistance
from regular armed troops OF the Mex
lCdH dIuS put llc ttlllSl lCdI lillliidiN
leaders Immediately under the neces-
sity of preparing for serious difficult
ties.
On April II, about noon, Major
| Frank Tompkins, Of the Thirteenth
Cavalry, who chased the Villa bandits
across the international line at Column
bus, n. NJ, went into Parral with only
l., hinl,
totalled about $50 men, including a
pack train outfit.
Major Tompkins lett most of his
men outside Parral, but took his ad-
vance guard into the city during his
call. The presence of this guard was
a military precaution considered neces-
sary in a country credited with being
strongly Villa-inclined in sentimen!
and also was the usual formal escort
accompanying commanding officers
when, according to Mexican customs,
they pay official visits.
The conference in the city with the
presidente and with the Carranza com
mander in Parral, General LoZano, was
pleasant. Promises were made to sell
LILO lOOu anu " SliO" luVui
a good camping site. Immediately the
Americans started out of the city &C
companied by Herrera and Lozano.
who were riding with Major TompkinS.
When the Americans were out of the
town, the pack train at their rear,
Major Tompkins heard firing. Look.
ing back, he saw that someone in the
town was shooting at the pack train.
He had heard shouts of viva Villa
and "Viva Mexico" and curses against
"Gringoes."
AS the fire became general, Major
Tompkins and the men of his com
mand could see some of their asSail-
ants. They wore the khaki uni rorms
which are customary among the Car
rama soldiers. Major Tompkins dis
covered one column of these uniform
ed men moving out to cut off the road
to the east and to the north, where
he would have to retreat to escape
from the pocket at the camp site. He
shouted to these men to get away
from the road. When they did not
heed his warning, the American com
ulduu0T WHGelGu OIl Ills HOISe anu
dered his men to reply to the fire.
Sergeant JOY Ridgeley. of Troop M,
Thirteenth Cavalry. was the first
American to fall, as he rode, firing,
near Major Tompkins. The seTgeant's
body lay all day where it fell in the
road, as his comrades were too hard
pressed to pick it up.
A bullet struck Major Tompkins in
the left breast The wound was
slight, according to military standards,
and the major continued fighting.
The retreat continued five hours and
half, over distance of fifteen miles,
on a road bordered by bushes and
hills, affording good cover for pursu-
ers. During this time, the American
troops repeatedly caught sight OF men
in Carranza uniforms shooting at
them, but saw few, if any, civilians.
After moving out from the trap of
hills where the fight began, Major
Tompkins formed line of dismount
ed men, well spread out. across the
road and on adjoining eminences, who
retarded the attackers until the pack
animals and stores had time to get
back toward the American rear.
Repeatedly during the afternoon.
this defence line continue to form,
to fire from the cover of rocks, plough
ed ground and bitches, and then fall
back to it's horses for farther retreat.
The Americans had no machine guns.
only their pistols and rifles, and every
man was instructed to save his cart
ridges until he could make them
count
During one of these defensive
stands. Private Herbert Ledford.
Troop Nj, the Thirteenth Cavalry, was
shot in the hand. He continued to
fght. Later in the afternoon, his and
swollen and almost useless, b still
fighting, he was shot dead off his
horse, bullet passing through his
hest.
Raiders Kill 300 Sheen