File No. 812.00/21839
The Secretary of War (
Baker) to
the Secretary of State
Washington,
March 30, 1918.
The Secretary of War presents his compliments to the honorable the
Secretary of State, and desires to transmit, enclosed herewith, copy
of telegram received from the Commanding General, Southern
Department, relative to a pursuit of a band of raiding Mexicans by
United States troops into Mexico. Attention is especially called to
the concluding sentence of a despatch reported to have been sent by
Colonel Langhorne, United States Army.
[Enclosure—Telegram]
The Commanding General of the Southern
Department (
Ruckman) to the Adjutant General (
McCain)
Fort Sam Houston,
Tex.
March 29, 1918.
6890. Following telegram from commanding officer Big Bend
district repeated:
I wired you that I personally was at Neville’s ranch. I
sent Captain Anderson on trail of raiders with his Troop
G and Captain Tate with Troop A. The Detachment of H
troop was sent to Bosque Bonito. Anderson has just
reported from Everett’s ranch as follows:
Have just come out of Mexico. Hit hot trail of
raiders and trailed them from Nevilles toward
Bosque Bonito back of mountains. They turned
toward Pilares. Estimated number of bandits 35.
Ascertain that they crossed toward Pilares and
camped at Roswells, called the Gap, left there
about 4.40 a.m., crossed mountains and followed
trail led to river. Just as it turned toward
Pilares Mexicans opened fire; we chased them,
starting fight at 11 a.m., after hiking 30 miles
we chased them back into hills as far as horses
lasted; they had fresh horses. Number of dead seen
10, number killed or wounded 20. Found Neville’s
saddle on a horse also Neville’s horse; could not
bring out saddle as there was no way of carrying
it; horse was all in. Found young Neville’s chaps
on dead Mexican but did not stop to take them off;
could not locate him afterwards. Found young
Neville’s brother’s and Alverice Costilla’s
saddle; brought both out; had to kill one of
Neville’s horses as he had been shot. Cleaned out
Pilares; there was a lot of ammunition and
dynamite in houses. Casualties on our side: one
man killed, Pvt. Theodore Kalbert, Troop G; one
horse, Troop G, wounded in neck; one horse, Troop
A, wounded in breast, not serious; one pack mule
wounded in leg. Did not see Carranzistas but
thought we saw dust clouds coming up river. Walked
to Everett as horses covered about 75 miles. Left
patrol 10 men at river.
Gen. José Murguía had sent me word that he would send
troops to resist ours, the Trail, Langhorne.
Particular attention is invited to last sentence of above
message.
