Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-05-20

N@R&Ga4& W.
In Camp az Sabenito Ranch
near zapata, May 20.
Emerging victorious from the
battles on the FRO river, Colonel
Daniel Van voorlis 18th Cavalry
Is nearing home on its long march
along the Rio Grarde.
With orders to delay and har-
ass" the Blue" ar1y. four times its
strength, the"whi'c" force includ-
ing the 5th and y Cavalry. not
only delayed but a:tually stopped
the enemy" and when the chic!
umpire called off the maneuver,
was so disposed as to easily cur
the Blue" communication as well
as delay THEN further advance
The manelvers Tere repiete with
brilliant acslons among the most
noteworthy were the long night
march OF the 18th Cavalry followed
by an attack on the hostile flank
and the defense o. the FRO river
line by the same regiment the fol-
lowing day.
The chief umpire released Cen
eral Hawkins Cavalry brigade at
500 D. m. on May z. The II Cavalry
was in the saddle and out Of camp
at TOO. Major Oliver I. Holman's
1st Squadron which was camped 10
miles east OF Cotu,ia. made q quick
dash for the upper ford on the
FRO, seized Il and advanced well on
the hostile flank.
Col. Voorhis Into Action
The remainder OF the regiment
under Colonel Van Voorhis left
Cotulla at TOO .. m, marching 80
miles, seized Martins ford during
darkness. then pushed on to a good
position in the Thick woods on the
enemy's side OF the river. After a
couple hours rest. the troops moved
out again in the direction Of the
blue" main force. Early In the al
ternoon a 5lue strong flank guard
was encountered and In a typical
rapid cavalry action the 18th Cav
airy captured a battalion IF r.
fantry. four machine guns and some
motor equipment. Pursuant 10 Cen
eral Hawkins policy Of hit and
run, and don't become involved
with a superior force and thus run
the risk Of defeat. the 18th with
drew. In less than "a hours these
Fort Brown end FIT Ringgold men
had marched so miles and fought
a successful battle The Blue main
force now changed direction and
marched on The .ord defended BY
the 18th Ca valry. Major Holman'S
squadron had now Joined and bore
the brunt Of the hostile blow.
Captain Marion I Voorhis' troor
and Lieutenant JOIN RI. Stodter's
troop covered each other in a beau
tiful delaying action. Both were
supported by Captain Robert r.
Maxwell's machine guns and one
Founders. The Blue force was too
strong. however. and supported by
tear gas and artillery eventually
drove the 1st Squadron back on the
FRO which they crossed covered BY
Major Herbert L. Taylor's squadron
from Fort Ringgold. Major Tay-
lor's men were shelled from their
position and the whole regiment
occupied as a final line a long
ridge overlooking the ford. Captain
James Adan1son'S demolition men
destroyed the ford after the last
machine gun was across.
23rd Hard TO Stop
The 23rd Infantry, leading the
Blue advance could not be stopped.
and although they could not cross
trucks or wagons yer the ford for
six hours. the infantrymen crossed
and stormed the i2lh Cavalry posi-
ton. Here the cavalry made the
prettiest withdrawal OF the battle.
Twenty minutes after the order
was issued not a horse. man or
wagon could be seen and although
four hours Of daylight remained.
the Blue airplanes never found the
18th Cavalry. That night the Valley
horsemen Snatchsd a few hours
sleep. prepared to strike a telling
blow against the Blue flank early
in the moraing while the 5th Cav
airy hastenel by a long night march
TO head the infantry off. The 5th
Cavalry stopped their advance be-
fore daybreak and the 18th Cav
airy marched - sun rise on the
10th, but before contact vas made
the chief umpire called the man
suver at an end.
II would take many pages to de-
tail the individual and troop ex-