The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-04-07
FIGHT ALONG MExleAN r. r.
Villas Force, Estimated lat 500. Sc.
verely Defeated inksssEnsaas-
ment at GuerIo.

-
San Antonio, Texas-Vflla's force.
estimated at 500. was severely defeat
ed at Guerrero on March 20 by Col.
Dodd. according to a report from Gen.
Pershing to Gen. Funston, tent from
the San Geronimo ranch
Actual fighting between Gen. Perish
;ng's columns of American troops and
Francisco Villas bandit army was be-
lieved to be in progress along the
Mexican Northwestern railway. be-
tween Maedra and Chihuahua. Infor-
nation, although styled unofficial,
reached Gen. Gunston here that q con-
siderable force Of Villas men had on
centrated in that region. and that
American cavalry was moving forward
in strength.
Thirty of Villas soldiers killed, four
American soldiers wounded and more
than $50 Mexicans dispersed after a
running fight that extended over 10
miles, is the condensed summary of
the story of the first engagement be-
tween forces Of the American punitive
expedition and Francisco Villa. Col.
George Dodd surprised 500 of Villas
lei at Guerrero March 20. His was
the smaller force, comprising detach-
ments of the Seventh and Tenth cav
airy, but without waiting he began the
attack that finished five hours later.
when the Villa force had been chased
into the hills northeast of Guerrero
and broken into small bands.
1t was reported to army headquar-
ters here that Villa was wounded; that
one Of his legs was broken and one OF
his hips badly bruised. The character
of his reported injuries suggested thai
perhaps he had been injured in falling
from his horse rather than by a gun
shot, as had been unofficially re-
ported. r
Villas men were reported to be as
Stunning the offensive and Carranza
troops were said to be preparing to
resist the bandit army The exact po-
| sitions of none of the three forces was
given out, but Villas outpost, farthest
from the American lines, was reported
within so miles of Chihuahua.
The Mexican consulate received a
message from Consul Garcia, at Ell
Paso, saying that Gen Gavira had re-
ceived a telegram from Q~ueretaro
which said that Gen. Cavazos had e
gagged in a skirmish, with Villa forces
at Guerrero.
Villa has been concentrating his
forces in that part Of chihuahua for
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 ha commanded since he
began his fight.
Col. Dodd, with the Seventh and
Tenth cavalry, has been moving stead
lily south and west since the division Of
the American forces at Galeana anc
unofficially it. Vas learned that thu
general movenfeEes'o of the punitive force
has been toward the district where
army officers now are convinced Villa
is preparing to make a stand.
Unless Francisco Villa is deflnitel,
located within a few days it is believed
here that Gen. Pershing will begin {
logged search for him in the noun
tains west and south of Guerrero. Sine
the defeat of Villas force, March ~
in and near Guerrero, he has hat
lightly equipped mobile detachments o
cavalry sweeping in whirlwind fashion
through the district about headwater
of the Santa Maria river in efforts t.
locate the elusive bandit, reported t.
have gone in that direction after be
ing desperately wounded. Gen. Perst
ing did not get a report through t
Gen. Funston, but his chief of staff re
ported, indicating that the line OF CON
munication was maintained and n
mention of news of Villa was made.