Portland Public Library

War on the border, Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American invasion, Jeff Guinn

eng

Includes bibliographical references

mapsillustrations

no index present

non fiction

War on the border

bibliography

1253442774

Jeff Guinn

Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American invasion

"Jeff Guinn, chronicler of the Southwestern US and of American undesirables (Bonnie and Clyde, Charles Manson, Jim Jones) tells the riveting story of Pancho Villa's bloody raid on a small US border town that sparked a violent conflict with the US. The "Punitive Expedition" was launched in retaliation under Pershing's command and brought together the Army, National Guard, and the Texas Rangers--who were little more than organized vigilantes with a profound dislike of Mexicans on both sides of the border. Opposing this motley military brigade was Villa, a guerrilla fighter who commanded an ever-changing force of conscripts in northern Mexico. The American expedition was the last action by the legendary African-American "Buffalo Soldiers." It was also the first time the Army used automobiles and trucks, which were of limited value in Mexico, a country with no paved roads or gas stations. Curtiss Jenny airplanes did reconnaissance, another first. One era of warfare was coming to a close as another was beginning. But despite some bloody encounters, the Punitive Expedition eventually withdrew without capturing Villa. Today Anglos and Latinos in Columbus, New Mexico, where Villa's raid took place, commemorate those events, but with differing emotions. And although the bloodshed has ended, the US-Mexico border remains as vexed and volatile an issue as ever."--, Provided by publisher

Prologue: Columbus, New Mexico, March 8-9,1916 -- Mexico and America -- Border fences and revolution -- The American puppeteer -- "I do not know what to make of Mexico." -- Film crews and the refugees nobody wanted -- Veracruz -- Carranza and Villa collide -- The Plan de San Diego -- The Texas Rangers and their bandit war -- Wilson chooses Carranza -- Santa Ysabel and the El Paso riots -- Columbus -- The raid -- "The most serious situation" -- Elusive prey -- "Responsibility for the consequences" -- Carrizal -- The return of Villa -- Withdrawal -- Germany makes its move -- The Rangers go too far -- Showdown at Nogales -- Villa's last attack -- Afterward