March 9, 1916, famous Mexican bandit Pancho Villa launched a raid into the United States, attacking the town of Columbus, New Mexico along with several hundred guerillas. The force killed seventeen Americans and laid waste to the town. U.S. Cavalrymen from nearby Fort Furlong pursued the
raiders, catching up with and killing dozens of them before the bulk of the bandits were able to escape into Mexico.
Immediately, President Woodrow Wilson mobilized all available forces to apprehend Villa and his men. To search out the bandit nearly 10,000 soldiers entered Mexico. Unfortunately for them, Villa had intimate knowledge of Northern Mexico’s rugged terrain. He was able to elude his pursuers for months, hiding out among a populace that supported him and his activities. On June 21 American troops were still in Mexico and the crisis widened even further.
Mexican troops, fed up with the U.S. for lingering so long in their territory, launched an attack on a detachment of U.S. Cavalry outside Carrizal, Mexico. War would most likely have been declared, but at the time the situation in Europe regarding World War I was becoming critical. In January 1917, all American troops were ordered home, unsuccessful in their quest to catch Pancho Villa.
Bullion-Lady Franklin Mines at Kingston, New Mexico ca. 1880s
