The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-31

what was regarded as confirma-
ton of the report that he was
suffering from a broken leg had
been received. His exact where
abouts had not been learned.
Colonel Dodd led his Seventh
and Tenth cavalry in a smash
ing ride from the north toward
Guerrero when he learned of the
presence there of the Villa force,
covering the 55 miles interven-
ing in seventeen hours. General
Pershing said he arrived there
at 6 O'Clock, going into action
Immediately, but whether it was
6 o'clock in the morning or aft
ernoon the report did not indi-
cate.
Capture Machine Gums.
1t was a complete surprise to the
Villa force, whic hhad entered into a
celebration of it's victory over the gar
rison the day before.
Soon after the action began the
Mexicans were breaking for cover and
beginning to disappear along the trails
of the railway. For ten miles the
running fight that began at Guerrero
was continued and abandoned only
when the division of the retreating
force into numerous small bodies
made pursuit impossible.
Colonel Dodd reported that he had
captured two machine guns and
rifles. The fleeing bandits left behind
several Carranza soldiers, who said
they had been held by Villa for exc
cution. They were released.
May Make New Stand.
General Pershing said that it was
not improbable that Villa would en-
deavor to reassemble his forces some
where along the head waters of the
Santa Maria river.
He is moving his forces in such
manner as to prevent if possible new
concentration or to re-engage any
force that does make a stand.
He regarded as probable the elimi-
nation from active development of
Villa for some time on account of his
injured leg.
The fighting lasted five hours and
although General Perching's report
fails to state whether it began in the
morning or late in the afternoon staff
officers in General Funston's head
quarters assumed that it was an early
morning attack.
General Pershing reported that
part of Villas losses was that of a
number of horses. He expressed the
opinion that the blow Colonel Dodd
had inflicted was serious and would
90 far towards finishing the work of
the punitive expedition.
Washington, March 31.-The war
department this afternoon received
confirmation of the report that
Villistas had been badly beaten in a
Americans were wounded, but none
seriously. in the clash.
In a fight with Villas troops thirty
Mexicans were killed, General Per-
shing reported. -Four American pri-
Yates were injured, but none seriously
Two machine guns, many cavalry
horses and much ammunition was
captured by the Americans. The at
tack was a surprise on the Villa forces
and eliminated in a running fight in
which they were driven for 10 miles
into the mountains northeast of the
railway where they separated into
small bands
Villas Leg Broken.
The fight occurred abou p. m.
March 29. near Guerrero and the re-
port came from the San Geronimo
ranch. Villa was not present during
the encounter and is reported to be
suffering from a broken leg and a
The exact position of none of the
three organizations was given out but
Villas outpost farthest from the
American lines was said to have been
within fifty miles of Chihuahua yes
terday.
Villa has been concentrating his
forces in that part of chihuahua with
in the past few days and the force he
has gathered along the railway not far
from Minaca, where he was reported
to have visited his wrath on some of
the residents, is believed to be greater
than any he has commanded since he
began his flight from the border al
most a month ago.
Although not definitely known, the ,
that reached General
Funston indicated Villas men and the
de facto government troops already
were in contact
DOdd's Cavalry on Trail.
Colonel DOdd. with the Seventh and |
Tenth cavalry has been moving stead |
ly south and west since the diviSioui