Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-08-21

Maria, Aug. 20.-After Sc hours Of
campaigning in Mexico, below the
Big Bend border, following 'hot
trails of the Mexican bandits who
held Lieutenants Peterson and Davis
for ransom, American cavalry troops
went into camp in the mountains to-
night for the second time during the
punitive expedition after Jesus Rem
tera's band.
Since the troops crossed the Rio
Grande early Monday morning, they
have been riding constantly during
daylight hours in pursuit of the BAN
dts.
The only contact with the bandits
reported resulting in the killing Of
one of three Mexicans who fired on
an American airplane yesterday. Ac-
cording to the aviators' report upon
returning from the field, the fight
lasted twenty minutes. The aviators
were unframed.
Reports from the field are mea-
gre. AS result Of the broken
country south Of the border, the
troopers have been forced to scatter
| and follow such trails as they can
pick up. The country is too rough
, for airplanes to effect landing be-
low the border without great danger.
A cryptic message "still follow
ing trail' brought to the border by
airplane today was the only definite
word from the expedition. No Off
GERS commanding troops in the field
have yet returned to the field bases
on the river.
Dickman to Scene.
Major General Joseph T. Dickman,
commander of the southern depart
ment, is expected to reach here to-
morrow morning on an inspection OF
posts and camps along the border be-
tween San Antonio and Maria.
While his visit here at this time is
not believed to be inspired by the
local Mexican situation, the comman-
der undoubtedly will go over the en-
tire situation developing from the
capture and ransom of the American
aviators with Col. Langhorne, dis
trict commander. It is not known
whether General Dickman will go to
the border while here.
A supplementary report received
at headquarters here today told OF
efforts by Davis and Peterson to sig
nal American airplanes searching mp
the Conchos river for them. ~
aviators said they saw one plane at
one time and several at other times.
The aviators took off their under
shirts and tying them together tried
to signal the airplanes, which, how
ever, flew back to the border with
out seeing them.
Last night the troopers slept un-
:, der a starless sky, in canyons, on
trails, wherever they happened to be
when it grew too dark to continue
, their pursuit. Sentries were station
ed at entrances to canyons, and at
high points on trails to prevent an
|, ambush or surprise attack if the ban.
dts reassembled in force during the
night. ~
No fires were permitted. Horses
!, were picketed in hollow squares and
the men, rolled in blankets, slept be-
side their mounts with rifles and pls-
tolls at their sides. Pickets patrollec
the temporary camps.
Pack mules were unburdened FOL
the night and the field wireless sci
was rugged for making reports tx
headquarters. DcIOTe udIh dApldACS
swooped low over the camps, droc
ping orders.
Mexicans Active.
! The troopers, tired out from theil
, long, hard ride slept as soon as they
! finished a cold supper of field ra
, tions.
Mexican federal troops from thu
) Ojinaga garrison, opposite Preside
, Texas, are cooperating with Ameri
| can troops in Mexico, according to
, message received by Col. Langhornt
| TODAY from Don Cosme Beneoeches
! Mexican CONSUL at Presidio. Thu
consul reported that General Autonit
Prueneda was sending cavalry troops
II in the direction Of San Antonio. Chi.
E huahua, which is opposite Candelaris
r Texas. near where the American
d aviators were ransomed Monday,
!