Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-04
NJ a n to M an Fig hHng
mongMountains ofChi-
huahua, Where Bandits
Seek Refuge.

FIELD HEADQCARTERS. April 20
(hy motor courier to Columbus. y. NJ,
May 3).-Thcrc was inan-to-tnan fight
ing. and some Of the Americans went
up tho mountainside with knives in
their teeth. during Colonel Dodd's
battle with Villista bandits on April
22 at Temochic
ut was the DEVILS own playground"
was Colonel Dodd's description OF the
terrain OF this battle in Southwestern
Chihuahua, among towering mountains,
where $50 bandits sought refuge
For two hours Dodd's troops Of the
Seventh Cavalry fought from an i'm
mense hollow. with bandits on three
sides. charging deliberately over
ground marked with bullet puffs in the
dust all about their feet, where the
Mexicans had their exact range. They
accounted for at least fifty bandits
killed or wounded, against an Ameri-
can loss OF two dead and three wound
ed One Mexican woman waa wounded
by bandits.
Two nights before this fight the
Americans overlook the bandits at the
Yoquivo Mine. where they were lying
about the camp fires, telling the ma
tires stories of how they claimed TO
have whipped the Americans At CO.
!umbus and AT Guerrero. Thoy showed
big Jumps of gold and silver taken
from Mexican towns. which. they as
serted were spoils OF war
Shortly before midnight an outpost
ran in breathless. exclaim.ng: The
Americans are coming in"
LIVES OF AMERICANS
SAVED By THE SEVENTH
Scores OF dark forms leaped through
q rel ich ntvlc
minutes the whole bandit command
had galloped out of town. When the
cavalrymen came IN, they found two
American mining men, a Mr.. Seyferth
and another. who had paid $4,000 ran
son, TO the bandits. and whose lives
probably had been saved by tho
Seventh's arrival.
These Americans said the bandits
were led by Candelero Cervantes
Jesus del Rios. Cruz Dominguez and
Manuel Baca. who was killed by n
Mexican the following Sunday after
the fight.
Among them were followers Of Julio
Acostn and General Beltran. They
were remnants OF all the best known
Villa commanders veterans. and at
that time, at least. the last known
band Of Villas men whose nerve had
not pceN SllaEen DE oeIeatS at Column
bus, the Guerrero and Aguascalientes
on Saturday afternoon at 1870 o'clock
Dodds men, arriving at the southern
rim of the hills forming the cup in
which the town of Temochic lies. saw
the rear guard of bandits riding out
OF town. Ahead of them they saw
the main body waiting behind rocks
to give battle. y machine gun was
placed to sweep this ridge, while the
Americans rode down into the cup In
pursuit They dismounted in town,
advancing on foot, with rifles ready.
led by Troop l.. and accompanied by
the two guides.
While still in town, trooper was
hit and mortally wounded. The shot
came from the flank. from a cave in
the mountain overlooking Temochic
Out OF a big adobe chimney the troops
pulled sniper, the only one caught
in the place.
In the town Troop l. advanced to
within range OF the crests above. They
crossed the range in short rushes.
lying down and firing. then advancing
a few yards.
BULLETS FALL CLOSE
TO EVERY AMERICAN
Colonel Dodd, with his staff, rode
through this zone, while bullets fell
within yard or two of every man
until they arrived at a small knoll
beyond the town. From here Dodd
directed the fight. Another machine
gun was brought up close to play on
the force at the crest in front of the
knoll. Out along the American line a
trooper was lying on his stoma ch
firing. His comrades saw bullet
strike forty feet in front of him, and
then another popped twenty feet ahead
OF him. In moment a ball struck
him In the head. killing him. 4 lieu
tenant lying among his men directing
the fire, was wounded
Meantime. tho Americana had gotten
the range OF the MeNicana on the crest,
and checked their fire. Several fresh :
ly made graves on this crest, found
next day, testified TO the Americans
aim. One Mexican leader, on gray
horse, rode into sight on tho sky limo
half dozen times. but seemed to be
charm against bullets. His gray
mount was the last living object the
Americans distinguished before dark
ness ended the fighting. This horse
was found wounded next day at Santo
Tomas, where Manuel Baca. the Villa
leader was killed by Lcondro Alvarez
Mexican pacifst, for the price Of
90 pesos (about 81 American money!.
The Mcxicans said this horse was
Baca's.