File No. 812.00/18258
General Funston to the Secretary of War
1494. Following just received from General Pershing repeated:
Namiquipa, Mexico, May 25, 1916. No. 209. Candelario Cervantes, notorious Villista outlaw, second only to Villa and principal leader in attack on Columbus killed this morning in a fight with detachment from Cruces six miles southeast that camp. Detachment of soldiers consisted of seven men machine gun company 17th Infantry, two Engineers and one man Quartermaster Corps. Out hunting cattle for beef and sketching road attacked by twenty men under Cervantes. Fight lasted forty-five minutes. Two Mexicans were killed, Canderlario Cervantes and Jose Beneomo. Latter also prominent Villista leader. Cervantes [Page 565] positively identified by papers found on person and by several natives Cruces and boy native prisoners. Cervantes without doubt the most desperate and dangerous outlaw in Mexico except Villa himself. Believe his death will expedite capture of others. Detachment cavalry started in immediate pursuit, struck band again Alamilla Canyon where it scattered to hills.