On Villa's Trail in Mexico, V

ON VILLA'S TRAIL IN MEXICO 501

eral others wounded, and a number of horses killed in this fight. It was growing dark as the command assembled on the flat, where a bonfire was started, and by its light a grave dug under a mesquite tree. A wounde^d horse, lying near, groaned with pain, the men stood in groups with uncovered heads, while Major Howze and staff, surrounding the grave, repeated the Lord's prayer. The Major dedicated the spot, and there, far from home and friends, the body of the first American boy to fall on Villa's trail was left, and his comrades hurried on in pursuit of his slayers. The horses were fed a little corn, and a long night ride made to Santa Cruz de Herrera. Before reaching the town, the men dismounted and approached on foot, going in opposite directions, the plan being to encircle the town with a cordon of men, each man following his comrade with about twenty yards of space between them. When the circle was almost formed, a body of mounted men rode from the town and, keeping up a rapid fire, broke through the lines, the troopers firing a few shots as they passed out. When morning came the people were collected together, but all denied that they were Villa sympathizers, the Villastas had been in the town, they said, but had gone before the troops arrived, or had slipped away during the night. Of the mounted men who broke through the line, two

After feeding their horses a little corn, Major Howze and his troopers took up the trail of the Villistas and hurried on to the south

had been killed, one of them being Lieutenant Juan Beltran, a Villa officer. This was on the 10th of April, and the command left Santa Cruz de Herrera early in the morning, headed south toward the Durango line, their objective point being San Pablo de Belleza,

502 IMPROVEMENT ERA

the birthplace of Pancho Villa, whose proper name, it was learned, was Dorotello Arango. When within fifteen miles of this town Major Howze became satisfied that Villa was behind him, in the neighborhood of Santa Cruz, and, being sadly in need of supplies, turned to the northeast, with the intention of going to the city of Parral, about three days march distant. As the column approached Parral, a Mexican officer came out with -

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The most southerly point reached by the Punitive Expedition. At this point Villa's trail was lost, and the troopers turned toward Parral. The man in the foreground is Dave Brown, chief scout of the Expedition

a white flag, and warned the Americans not to enter the town. Soon after, the Mayor and Chief of Police joined them, and all urged the command go around the town, and not pass through it, because, they said, a detachment of American troops had unexpectedly appeared the day before, who had asked and obtained permission to pass through and purchase supplies, but that when the civilian population discovered that an army of foreigners was in the city, they had attacked them, and that a number of men had been killed and wounded on both sides. This was Major Tompkins' command, which had asked and received permission the previous day to enter Parral, buy supplies, and pass peacefully on; but which, when in the narrow streets had been attacked by civilians and soldiers, whom the officers could not control, and a running fight had occurred as the Americans retreated to Santa Cruz. In this fight, four Americans were killed and a number wounded, and one man lost, whose fate was never learned. The losses inflicted on the Mexicans were heavy. Upon learning of this circumstance Major Howze took the road to Santa Cruz, where he formed a junction with Major Tompkins, and Colonels Brown and Allen. There were now

ON VILLA'S TRAIL IN MEXICO 503

seven hundred men in the command, which was thought to be a sufficient number to defend itself against any hostile attack. The command rested at Santa Cruz eight days, and then moved north toward the advanced base to Satevo, where the commissary was replenished, and Major Howze's troop went on to San Antonio de Arenales. At this point word was received that a fight had occurred at a ranch called Ojos Azules, between Carranzistas and Villistas, in which the former had been defeated and a number taken prisoner, and that the Villistas, under command of Martin Lopez, a Villa captain, were advancing to attack Cusihuiriachic. General Pershing sent Major Howze to investigate this rumor. An all-night ride brought the command to Ojos Azules, just after sunrise in the morning, on May 5, a Mexican national holiday. The ranch is situated in a little valley, or flat, with hills surrounding which are covered with timber and rocks. It is enclosed with a wire fence, through which an old fashioned set of pole bars gave access to the ranch houses. As the Americans

Santa Cruz, where Major Tompkins made his stand and beat off the Mexicans after the battle of Parral. The flag-pole is on the top of a Mexican house

entered the valley from the north a random fire was opened upon them by the Mexicans. Not stopping to use their rifles the troopers drew their revolvers and charged, Lieutenants Graham and Lord leading their men through the bars, one end of which were down. Lord's horse went through the opening, while Graham's mare cleared a four-and-a-half foot gate on one side and landed among the Mexicans, who scattered and fled to the hills. When the fight ended, and the troopers had returned from

504 IMPROVEMENT ERA

the pursuit, it was found that forty-two Mexicans had been killed, and ninety-two prisoners taken. To the surprise and gratification of the Americans, not a man among them had been

A typical Mexican ranch. It was at one of these ranches that the battle of Ojos Azules ivas fought

killed or wounded. Many had bullet holes through their hats and clothing, but the only loss was two horses killed and two wounded.

My Faith

I've never seen old England's shore, Have never roamed her dales and dells; Her spirit free, the salt sea o'er, The tale of ties and kinship tells.

I've never seen the sounding sea, Have never stood upon the shore; But o'er the mountains comes to me, The endless, singing ocean's roar.

I have not seen the blest abode, Beyond the skyblue dome; But known that when I've borne life's load, My spirit there shall find a home. Guy E. Coleman.