The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-02-02
THRILLING TRIP
FOR TROOPS NOW
LEAVING MEXICO
Caring for Army Of Refugees
Is Main Problem,

10 Wdlll IUUICIlh
TEN PORARY FIELD HEAD
QUARTERS, PUNITIVE ENPEDl-
TlON, OJO FEDERICO, Chihuahua,
FEB. 2--Withdrawal OF the American
punitive expedition from Mexico ac-
cCmpanicd by rumorS Of Villa attacks
and curious collection of refugees has
seen quite as many dramatic and pic
turcSque incidents as its entry ten
months ago.
Excess Baggage Moved.
Despite the tact that General Per
shlng received the formal withdrawal
order from Washington a. late as
OS2 p. m, January y, preliminary
preparations to eyacuatc the occupied
territory were begun more than week
previous to that day When the order
finally came, truck trains had carried
out all baggage IN excess OF that re-
CURED by equipment All forage had
been stored at convenient points, and
organization commanders had received
confidential and detailed orders, marches
had been laid out and routes for cav
airy and infantry chosen.
When the first provisional cavalry
brigade broke camp az Colonia Dublan,
January ., the 1880 Americans in
Mexico were moving with clock.like
precision toward the border At Co
lcnia it j, planned to assemble the
entire expedition which will cross the
line into Columbus as a unit on Feb
ruary ).
Caring for Refugees.
Preparations, for sending forward and
guarding the refugees who began to
move a, soon as it was evident that
the Americans were leaving, were ar
ranged. The bands OF refugees were
registered, assigned to camps near the
lines and escorted north by cavalry as
soon as the parties threatened to be
come too large to handle There were
pltliul sights IN plenty TO be seen along
the line nl march aud in the camps
as the non-dcScrlpt procession moved
along Ponies. cmaciatcd and harness
SCARED, seemed scarcely able to move
Swafms Of children ragged and wide
eyed watched the mounted escorts or
Squalled IN chorus when the chill win
ter wind hit through their garments as
they huddlcd about the camp fires
When transportation was inadequate
mothers with children at their breasts
trudged through the dust
Child pnrn IN Trim
The trip from san Joaquin was an
especially hard ono for the refugees
The wells at Charco, had gone dry.
they found, when they reached Choco-
late Pass, and the animals were uu-
watcrcd for two davs and nights. In
ycStlgatlon OF the reason for the delay
OF one cart in the rocky wnd.'wept
canyon disclosed that a child was being
born. The march, however, was dc
layed only a few moments.
Residents OF Mexico, who have had
dealings with the troops. fear TO stay
n~McNico IN view OF threats hy Villa
against the lives Of any who proiitcd
through the expedition Others. openly
announcing their fear to stay after IN.
Americans lett. state that no serious
attempt would be made 10 keep Villa
out OF northern Chihuahua.
Mormon Colonists Leave.
Almost all the Mormon coloniSts il
Culona Dublan and luare1 have left.
Less than fifty are lett IN Colonjl
Juarei Roth \. b. Call, bishop Of Co.
Iona Dublan, and G. J. Bentley. bishop
OF Colonla Juarez, have LEI, for the
states
With the departure Of the troops the
| populouS adobe cities that SprAng up At
/ Olo Federico, Duhldn, san JOAQUIN and
/ III Nallc have vanished IN a night
,erythug burnablc was given to the
| flames and adobe walls lcyclIcd ant
after few rains nothing will he lcf
10 mark the soldier towns cNCcn
charred tlmhcrS. The sole monumen
probably will be the truck road. bull
at a cost oi hundreds OF thousands o
dollars The last day spent by III,
rear guard at Colona Dublan dawne,
clear and warm, but before noon
heavy gale gave the punitive cNpcdi
ton a final coating OF alksl dust.
Flag Hauled Down.
Simple, but impressive, cercmons
marked the hauling down Of the star
and stripes when Duhlan was aban
doncd Wednesday morning
fncamped at falomaS jus, south c
the border when the rear guard report
at that point February 4 will he IN,
entire strength OF the punitive expedi
tion IN Mexico. That part OF the ex
petition which has served on foreigi
soil numbers 2SS officers, l0.4tj men
9ill animals and 400 wagons. Tn
grand total is $50 officers, ll,Slj mer
Q,5i2 animals and aDi wagons.
The expeditions death toll, both iron
battle and disease has been remarkable
light Two officers have been killc,
and one has died Forty enlisted me-
| have ,uccumbed, battles and disea,
claiming equal shares. No, one dealt
Ia, been caused by maladic, usual
epidemic among troops unused 10 thi
country, such as typhoid. small po.