Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-24
SECOND PUNITIVE
EXPEDITION NOW
FOLLOWS BANDITS
Chasing Horse Thieves Who
Raided Ranches Near
Fort Hancock.
PLAN TO DOUBLE FORCE
NOW PURSUING OUTLAWS
Five Squadrons of Cav alry
Ordered to Maria From
Camp Travis.
RUSH TRUCKS TO BORDER
Huge Quantities OF Rations Arc
Shipped by War Department to
Big Bend Country.
RUSH TRUCKS TO BORDER
Huge Quantities OF Rations Arc
Shipped by War Department to
Big Bend Country.
tBy Universal Service. J

Ell PASO, TEN. August 23.-Thc
second punitive expedition of the
United States Army into Mexico
within a week was in full action to-
night, pursuing horse thieves who
raided ranches and stole stock near
Fort Hancock, Tex yesterday.
Orders from General James 2. Err
win. comma adng the FL Paso military
district. were for tho field commanders
TO recover the stock. punish the ban
dts and return TO American territory.
Colonel Francisco w. Glover went to
Fabens, Tex, today and will direct
the operations. The Information given
at military headquarters was that this
mot trail' had no connection with the
punitive expedition into the Big Bend
country under command OF Colonel
General Erwin this evening gave
informed early this morning by Major
the border patrol in the El Paso- Fort
Hancock sector, by telephone that
armed MeNicans had stolen and driven
across the. border Friday afternoon
stock belonging to ranchers near Fort
Hancock. that he had investigated the
matter. had found conditions as stated.
zens that the facts were as represented.
II ordered him. if absolutely certain
that the stock had been, stolen and
and the trail certa and hot. TO send
our troops after the bandits. recover
stock. punish the bandits and return
to American territory.
Two Cavalry Troops Act.
Il am notified by Major Ron that
TWO troops OF cavalry crossed the bor
der at o'clock this morning to carry
out the order. Colonel Grover. chief
of staff OF the district. is at Fort Han
cock in charge of the troops and in
touch with them"
One troop of cavalry crossed the Rio
ia INnh ha n no No n
Fort Hancock. Three Texas Rangers
from Camp stevens accompanied the
troops from Fabens. Reports that con-
tact had been gained with the thieves
and fighting had taken place were not
confirmed by military headquarters;
One battalion of the Nineteenth In
re-enforce the patrol between San
Elizario and Fabens. \ dispatch TO
the sherifs office here told of the raid
and the theft of twelve horses yester
day afternoon.
General Howe. native Texan,
medal of honor veteran, will take com
arrival from overseas next week. He
was former commander here. and was
distinguished for his cavalry leader,
in Western Chihuahua three years
ago.
To Increase Pursuing Force.
a dispatch from Camp. Travis near
indicated there that the cavalry force
trailing the Rcnteria bandit gang III
the mountains of Mexico will be doubled
Monday unless Rcnteria is captured or |
the trail after his band of outlaws is |
definitely lost.
Army headquarters report there now
are five sUuadrons OF cavalry in the
eXpeditionary force. Four of these are |
from The Eighth Cavalry. The other
members Of the expedition are from
the Fifth Cavalry and were sent from |
Ruidosa. Texas. fifteen miles south of
Cnndeiaria, on the. border; Six more
airplanes left Kelly Field today for
Eagle Pass 10 strengthen the border
patrol.
Bridge Over Rio Grnnde.
\ bridge was thrown across the Rio |
Grande today at Candelaria. and sew
cral big army trucks were sent there
nouncement, coupled with the state
ment that twenty days rations ha
been sent to the troops, leads TO the
belief the hunt is likely not to he given
up for weeks.
Military oitcf RS here have expected
To join the bandit hunt. and have en-
pressed surprise that so tedious Il chase |
should have been undertaken with APP
number is not sufficient to extend the
line any further south and protect
themselves.
The bridge At Candelaria will he
strong enough To support big trucks |
lihed with gasoline in drums and oil |
for the airpane flying station below |
Send RntfOnx ia Bordcr
Marta messages tonight said that
huge quantities of rations. said TO b., |
sufficient TO supply the American cx-
pcditionary force in Mexico for twenty
days. have been sent to the field base |
i'm the Big Bend country. For the last
three days motor truck companies have !
been engaged in transporting the sup |
plies.
battalion or more OF United States |
cavalry. supported by airplanes pro-
vision trains and field signal OUTFITS.
was was ordered out from the Marta sta
ton today. but their destination was
not revealed at headquarters
Reports received here tonight said
the pursuit OF Renterias band was
being continued. The expeditionarv |
force waa reported marching south
from point where field hcaduuarters
we're established and detachments were
securing the Conchos River Valley.
The fifth day of the expedition failed
TO see the capture OF Jesus Rcntcria.
the bandit chief, according 10 latest
word reaching here tonight
report from chihuahua city said |
Francisco villa had left Pillar de Con-
ChOS with n IL