Arizona republican., 1919-03-24
TROOPS CROSS BORDER;k KILL ];
 JET 35 CATTLE
Eighth Cavalry Make Quick Work of Bandit Maraud- CTS - Same Detachment To Engage in Society Polo Tournament at Coronado Soon - Kloepfer Congrat- ulated

MARIA, Texas, March 23.-Troops of the eighth cavalry under Captain II. E. Kloepfer, returned here today after pursuing Mexican bandits across the Rio Grande at Ruidosa. The Mex jeans were overtaken eighteen miles south of the border and Captain Kloepfer reports five of them killed. No American was hurt. The cavalry men brought back thirty-five cattle and two horses driven from the Nunez ranch yesterday by the raiders.
 Two Mexicans were wounded in the fighting, making the casualties among the cattle thieves seven of the total number of 12. Captain Kloepfer re- ported to Colonel George T. Lang horne. commander of the district that he recognized the voice of one of the men as that of Eugenio Garcia, a for mer Carranza captain, in the vicinity of Ojinaga, opposite Presidio, Texas.
 Major General De Rosey C. Cabell commander of the southern depart ment, who was here to make an in spection of the Big Bend district. con- graduated Captain Kloepfer and his troops for their work in overtakinS and defeating the Mexicans, who crossed the Rio Grande into the Chi natl mountains east of Ruidosa, stole a number of cattle from the Nunez ranch and drove them into Mexico.
 Bandit Raid Saturday
 The raid on the Nunez ranch, near the river and on the American side, was reported to Captain Kloepfer yes terday afternoon. He communicated with his sector and with the district commander by field telephone, at the llrF1la AT e +l,a eighth cavalryto the scene of the crossing, where the trail was clearly marked in the mud. This was reported to Colonel Langhorne at headquarters hcere, troops were sent from Presidio Indio and other border stations, and Captain Kloepfer given orders to fol- low the hot trail into Mexico which was done late yesterdal. Kloepfer S troops returned at two o'clock this morning, bringing with them the S5 head of cattle which had been driven into Mexico and two stolen horses.
 Captain Kloepfers report to head quarters stated he crossed the river seven miles below Ruidosa ford, came into contact with and engaged the band eighteen miles from the river crossing and, just at nightfall last night, opened fire on the bandit band
 
 fired into the rendezvous of the Mex ican cattle thieves and two wounded None of the American cavalrymer were wounded during the firing.
 Were Preparing Supper
 The Mexicans had killed a stoleI steer and were cooking it for suppel when they heard the hoofs of tn, American cavalry horses approachin. through the darkness. They took DO sitions on @ nigh hill, overlooking thr trail and attempted to outflank Kloep fer's troops in the darkness. SeVera of the cavalrymen's horses fell ove the steep embankment in the dark After the bandits were routed, tn dead buried and the wounded givel first aid treatment, the American cav alrymen, who had had nothing to ca since noon, completed preparations o the bandits evening meal and ate before starting back to the border with the civilian packers herding tn stolen cattle. Enroute to the border a torrential storm broke and the me were forced to ride all night in blinding darkness punctuated wit sleet and rain.
 Troop M was supported by troops and L and the regimental machin gun troop.
 kloepfer is Congratulated
 FORT BLISS, Tex, March 23.-Las Sunday afternoon officers of tn eighth cavalry won the border distriC polo championship here. After tn final game, Captain Kloepfer, com mander of troop M, and his fellow of ticers, together with Colonel George Langhorne, attended a tea dance giv en in their honor by Colonel s. R. I Tompkins, of the seventh cavalry i the Seventh Horse" club. One wee later these same officers were ridin down the Mexican cattle thieves wh raided the Nunez ranch, when show report of the fight:
 The eighth fights like it plays pol, Judging from the reports, troop M ge the ball out of the scrimmage. fol
 (Continued on page two)