It was on this date in 1916 that a force under Francisco “Pancho” Villa crossed the border and raided the village of Columbus, NM. It was the first time a quasi foreign military force had invaded and attacked U.S. soil since the War of 1812.
The force of about 500 men crossed the border at 2:00AM. The attack started at around 4:30. One column raided the commercial district of Columbus, pillaging and burning the stores and hotels. Another column looped south and attacked the stables of the 13th Cavalry. The main column struck at the center of Camp Furlong. The 13th Cavalry was not caught completely asleep. LT Lucas, commander of the Machine Gun Troop heard the riders approaching, and ghosted across the highway amongst them. When the sentry’s challenge was answered with gunfire, LT Lucas dashed to the guard tent to retrieve one of the troop’s Benet-Mercie machineguns.
The men of the 13th Cavalry were quick to organize a defense. LT Lucas with his Troop and parts of others established a base of fire from the railroad grading. Lt Castleman of K Troop led his men through several rushes until he set of a firing line perpendicular to the railroad tracks. The converging fire was telling on the Villistas. As the fires in town grew, the Villistas were back lit increasing the devastation of the American shooting.
As morning dawned, the Villistas began withdrawing back to Mexico. Major Frank Tompkins led a pursuit of the Villistas, penetrating some 25 miles into Mexico. When he found his horses exhausted, and ammunition running low, Tompkins returned to Camp Furlong.
In all eight troopers of the 13th Cavalry, and nine civilians were killed during the raid. Between the conflict in town, and the retreat, the Villistas suffered 250-300 casualties.
As now, we remember the media cried of this event. Senators shouted for the Army to march to Mexico City. Secretary of War Baker promised to capture Villa and punish him. The actual orders issued to BG John J. Pershing were to pursue Pancho Villa, capturing or killing him, or breaking up his forces until he was no longer a threat to the United States. Within the first four months of the campaign, the punitive Expedition had scattered and broken up Villa’s remaining forces. Villa himself was in hiding, recovery from a bullet wound he received at Guerro. Villa was not able to regroup and gain forces until Caranza’s Constitutionist Troops prevented American forces from actively patrolling and pursuing Villistas.
The Punitive Expedition and Pershing returned to U.S. soil in February 1917. They had prevented Villa from taking to the field in large numbers, and scattered his troops. The entire event would be overshadowed by the U.S. entering into the Great war in Europe.
There aren’t many that still remember the actual raid. The descendants on both sides still carry strong emotions over the issue. I first started going to Columbus in 1991. The folks had to keep two of the volunteers separated at the museum; both were more than willing to resume the fight. I also met one amazing individual, Harry Gunderson. Harry had been a bugler with the New Mexico National Guard, stationed at Camp Cody, just outside Deming. He was one of the first troops arriving after the raid. He knew three of the men killed during the raid. Until 1999, Harry would travel from his home in Silver City, and play Taps for his fallen comrades. I had the honor of standing in formation while he played taps on more than one occasion.
The Pancho villa State park and several other organizations have set up a festival/ celebration covering the raid, with horseman riding up from Chihuahua, and crossing the border. The event is generally scheduled for the nearest week end to the 9th. For those old schoolers like Harry and I, there is only ONE raid day, March 9th.
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