The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1919-06-27
FOURTH
IN JUAREz BATTLE
DY N OFFICER OF THE rwENrY-FouRTn INFANTRY ,

After spending some three years In Columbus, the Twenty fourth
Infantry finally had an opportunity 10 exhibit liz efficiency. All The
work we have done was not wasted, for The regiment covered itself
with glory during the short time spent In Mexican territory.
Sunday evening at $50, orders we're received Al Camp Bernie Tor
later and by o p IN. the first truck train pulled out for the river. The
entire regiment less trains arrived al the Customs nonsn By 7 D. M
Everyone had a bunch that we would cross that night Officers
were busy completing final details and checking up ON equipment The
men lay down and slept taking advantage Of every minute Of rest
About 10 o'clock oders came out that we would cross. Colonel
Hadsdl and Lieutenant Coonel Manchester went into a final conference
from which all plans were rcchccked and everything pnaced in order.
Officers were assembled and given their instructions. The general
plan was the Second Battalion, under Colonel Manchester. would be
the advance guard with the First, under Captain Williams. the main
body. signal Corps trains aud special units followed the main body
Finally the word came down TO form. Two armored motor trucks.
forward as the point. Lieutenant Richardson with a platoon followed
about sixty yards In the rear. Then came the rest of the second nat
talon' spread out 10 cover the mainroute Of march and side streets.
The main body left the Bridge at n Q. m. Everything progressed
quietly until Company @ ran across a batch Of vlhstas with a ma
chine gun. After firing about three minutes, the vnlslas were either
all killed or routed. Company n also had a small skirmkh on the
right. flank, but II is not known what damage was done.
Villas Cayalary was reported To be at the race tract. - Colonel
Hadsell ordered the Eighty-sccond Field Artillery at the stock yards
To open up aud drive them out The artillery fired for approximately
while the artillery fired overhead. The advance was resumed after the
artillery ceased firing and proceeded without interruption To a point
near the race track where " were TO take over TIM Carrauza trenches
rs non as uey could pe cleared and Then continue the attack. The
withdraway Of the Carranzfstas wa. slow and before the regiment could
get in action, villa had left the country
We we're then marched back TO the main square, where break
fast was prepared. There the outfit rested until 1880. when the march
was made back 10 the bridge aud into Texas.
The regiment accomplished is mission and won the praise of the
Department Commander. who personally visited the ramp after fine
troops returned. The outfit feels rather good as We did all that was
expected and possibly n little more.
Many amusing incidents happened. hut would require too much
space TO tell For about three blocks after crossing into Mexico. there
was very little talking and no laughter. About the fourth block. a bull
let hummed by an enlisted mans head, causing him 10 duck Thu.
brought forth lughier from The rest Of the company aud from then
on the expedition lost It's serious aspect Jokes aud gbcs we're heard
up and down the line at the expense of all concerned. The oulnt seemed
To thnk they were on a pleasure trip instead Of marching In foreign
territory with the prospect of a fight at any minute. When the ar.
uhery opened up there was a wild scramble To see who would he on
the bottom. As one officer remarked; That band Just naturally
dropped like one man Vd without any command, either"