The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-06-16
ANE ER|CANS IN
MEXICO REPULSE
VILLA s TROOPS
u. S. Troops Victorious in First
General Engagement
ORDERED ACROSS BORDER
In Ten Minutes $500 U. s. Soldier:
Were in Mexico--coIored Infan-
try First over

El Paso, June 16.-American troops
sent into Mexico last night to stop In
discriminate firing across the bor-
der, fought their first general engage
ment with the Mexican rebel forces
OF Francisco Villa at Juarez racetrack
at 2 o'clock this morning, and the
Americans were victorious. Villas
troops we're driven from the track by
rife and machine gnnfre and many
prisoners are reported taken by the
United States cavalry which took up
positions east and southeast Of the
track, according to official report at
military headquarters.
Mexican rebels and federals fought
in the streets OF Juarez Saturday and
Sunday nights, many on both sides
being killed. Many bullets from
rebel guns came across the Rio
Grande and two were killed and
seven wounded on the American side.
When Mexican bullets became too
thick for the safety of the III Paso
citizens. Brig. Gen. Erwin at eleven
last night ordered the crossing.
In ten minutes thirty-six hundred
United States troops were in Mexico.
The first to cross were the colored in
fantry.
III Paso. Tex, June 15.-The Gath
infantry, fourth battalion crossed the
international border to Juarez at IL
O'Clock. The ffth and seventh cav
airy regiments crossed at three fords
east of El paso.
A battalion OF the sod artillery
CROSSED east OF the stock yards.
There were approximately $500 Ameri
can troops on Mexican soil ten
minutes after they were ordered to
make the crossing
Colonel Selsh 4. =. Tompkins Of
the seventh cavalry was in command
OF the eayalfg brigade which crossed
az the fords and Colonel Hadsell was
In command OF the infantry. The ar
mored motor cars crossed the inter
national bridge at 1855. The reason
given at military headquarters for
ordering the troops to cross was TO
prevent firing from the Mexican side
on I'll paso.'
Brigadier General Erwin refused
10 comment at the time of the cross
ine.
El Paso, Texas. June Fighting
between villa followers and federal
troops in Juarez was resumed late TO
day The extent of the battle leads
to the conclusion IL may be decis
i've action.
An unidentified woman was sho
and killed instantly tonight by ;
stray bullet bringing the total hit by
Mexican bullets on the American sid,
of the border to six.
Two men and a Mexican girl were
wounded in the firing tonight an,
two United States soldiers were hi
early today.
After the soldiers, Corporal Ed
ward Reilly of a motor transport com
pany and Corporal Earl Smith Of tn
! Twenty-fourth infantry were shot
General Erwin ordered the por
closed and the military took over tn
international bridge No one was pc
mitted TO cross to Juarez without
| military pass.
Troops patrol the entire FL Pas
water front to prevent villa raids.
Bullets tonight struck many dowr
town buildings.
An additional battalion and tw
, companies OF the 18th infantry, on
battalion Of which is now here, tC
: night was ordered TO entrain at Doul
las. Ariz.. and proceed TO III Pas,
The reinforcements are expected t
arrive tomorrow They will be use
for patrol duty along the river from