Pancho Villa raids U.S. (100 Year Anniversary)

History.com (This day in history) ^ | 03/09/2016 | staff

[Kid Shelleen]

--SNIP-- In January 1916, to protest President Woodrow Wilson’s support for Carranza, Villa executed 16 U.S. citizens at Santa Isabel in northern Mexico. Then, in early March, he ordered the raid on Columbus. Cavalry from the nearby Camp Furlong U.S. Army outpost pursued the Mexicans, killing several dozen rebels on U.S. soil and in Mexico before turning back. On March 15, under orders from President Wilson, U.S. Brigadier General John J. Pershing launched a punitive expedition into Mexico to capture Villa and disperse his rebels. The expedition eventually involved some 10,000 U.S. troops and personnel. It was the first U.S. military operation to employ mechanized vehicles, including automobiles and airplanes.

[centurion316]

I commanded the Devil Rangers 87-89.

[wally_bert]

I had never heard of it until I saw a dvd promo on youtube.

Good but short lived. Give me Rockford though.

[laplata]

Villa was very brutal. He had little regard for human life. It was common for both sides after a battle to shoot anybody who surrendered.

---

Years ago I read that they would put two prisoners back to back and kill both with one bullet so they could save ammo.

[euram]

My grandfather spent 9 months on the TX-Mexican border as a member of Co D, 1st ND State Militia.

[laplata]

We sent George S. Patton!

---

Patton was an unknown, lowly 2nd Lt. at the time. He was simply part of the expedition. He did gain fame after he shot Cardenas.

[laplata]

You are to be commended!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Kid Shelleen.

[bert]

Prior to the pershing expedition, Life Scout Indiana Jones went into Mexico and thence to Belgium where he fought in the Belgian Army in WW I

[GregoTX]

Tonight We Ride
Tom Russell

Panhco Villa crossed the border in the year of ought sixteen
The people of Columbus still hear him riding through their dreams
He killed seventeen civilians you could hear the women scream
Blackjack Pershing on a dancing horse was waiting in the wings

Tonight we ride, tonight we ride
We’ll skin ole Pancho Villa, make chaps out of his hide
Shoot his horse, Siete Leguas, and his twenty-seven brides
Tonight we ride, tonight we ride

We rode for three long years till Blackjack Pershing called it quits
When Jackie wasn’t lookin’ I stole his fine spade bit
It was tied upon his stallion, so I rode away on it
To the wild Chihuahuan desert, so dry you couldn’t spit

Tonight we ride, you bastards dare
We’ll kill the wild Apache for the bounty on his hair
Then we’ll ride into Durango, climb up the whorehouse stairs
Tonight we ride, Tonight we ride
[solo]
When I’m too damn old to sit a horse, I’ll steal the warden’s car
Break my ass out of this prison, leave my teeth there in a jar
You don’t need no teeth for kissin’ gals or smokin’ cheap cigars
I’ll sleep with one eye open, ‘neath God’s celestial stars

Tonight we rock, Tonight we roll
We’ll rob the Juarez liquor store for the Reposado Gold
And if we drink ourselves to death, ain’t that the cowboy way to go?

Tonight we ride, tonight we ride
Tonight we fly, we’re headin’ west
Toward the mountains and the ocean where the eagle makes his nest
If our bones bleach on the desert, we’ll consider we are blessed
Tonight we ride, Tonight we ride
[solo]
...Tonight we ride, tonight we ride.

[colorado tanker]

That belongs in a museum!

[Mastador1]

Okay, so maybe I should have stated we sent the US friggin Army in, which included a young George S. Patton, to kick the bastards asses

[laplata]

I was just stating a fact. I do see your point.

I am a big Patton fan and have read everything I could find on him.

[Squantos]

Wow..... impressive. Respects ....

[Texan5]

Woodrow Wilson sounds like a socialist and an evil man from all I’ve ever read about him...

My grandmother was born on a ranch in W Texas near the border-she told us stories of living in fear that Villa and his men would visit the area-as a young girl, she and one of her sisters had accompanied their father to the nearest store for some ranch supplies and food staples-which all the kids took turns doing-as she and her sister were carrying stuff their wagon, they saw everyone standing around looking at some mounted, armed and rough looking men riding down the middle of the road, and someone whispered “Pancho Villa”.

To the day she died, my grandmother claimed to have seen Pancho Villa, but in that time and place, it could have been any bandito or tough guy...

[AmericanVictory]

I believe also that the American forces included a young officer named Douglas Macarthur. And Pershing had a warrant officer who was relative of mine. Perhing thought so much of him that he put him in charge of the embarkation in New York when the AEF went overseas in WWI.

[Mastador1]

Sorry, I was cranky today(nothing new) I see your point too, quite valid. I guess I was just reminiscing for the days when we didn’t bend over for countries trying to screw us over, we defended our sovereignty unapologetically!

[laplata]

I understand and agree. And I’m sorry for coming across wrong, too. It’s a frustrating time and we’re on edge. I appreciate it. Thank you.

[laplata]

That’s an interesting and a neat story. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, Wilson was a bad man and a real Progressive.

[Nucluside]

Wilson was an incompetent, progressive (socialist) dolt.