Buffalo Soldiers in The Punitive Expedition into Mexico 1916

The Punitive Expedition, as the invading U.S. force was called, entered Mexico, on March 15, 1916, and chased Villa and his band for three hundred and fifty miles south into Chihuahua. Black troopers of the 10th Cavalry would play a major role in this expedition, and would be joined later by the 24th Infantry, who would be used to guard the line of communications. In April, two American troopers were killed in a skirmish with Mexican civilians and Mexican soldiers at the town of Parrall, in June, after Carranza had warned Wilson, that Mexican soldiers would fire on any American troops that moved in any direction but north, Twelve black soldiers of the 10th Cavalry were killed when they were ordered to go through the village of Carrizal, and twenty-three others were taken prisoner. During this battle black soldiers though out-numbered again showed exceptional valor under fire. Corporal's John A. Jeter, Howard D.Queen, and Howard C. Houston, recalled some aspects of this fight. Queen remembered the remarks of Captain Boyd, just before the engagement began: "I value each of you as ten Mexicans, do not let it be said that American troops fired the first shot. If they fire on us, we will answer them shot for shot. The only thing I will not forgive is showing your backs to the enemy," Houston, recalled that Captain Boyd, said to the assembled soldiers: " My orders are to go east to Villa Ahumada on the other side of this town, and I am going through and taking all of you men with me." Jeter remembers only that Boyd gave the drill book command, "Fight on foot, action right."

The advance commenced with troop K, on the right, echeloned back slightly in order to cover the right flank. Lieutenant Adair's platoon of troop C, similarly echeloned back on the left. The led horses had been sent back several hundred yards to the rear. Jeter, said for the first two or three hundred yards of the advance, there was silence, then at about 250 yards the Mexicans opened fire.The advancing American soldiers instantly returned the fire, in the face of heavy machine gun fire, troop C, steadily advanced forward. Corporal Jeter's platoon advanced until stopped by the Mexican machine gun's, but they were not stopped for long Jeter say's: I fired my first clip and raising my right arm, I rolled to the left to reload, the earth where my right arm and shoulder had been lying was ploughed by machine gun bullets. After this I was able to locate the enemy gun, and being an expert shot, it was only a short time before it was out of action."

The Mexican's numbered around 400 to 450 men, the first to fall on the Mexican side was General Gomez. Captain Corella Gonzales, who was in command of the machine gun's and who was standing near General Gomez, when he was killed recorded the dismay and confusion caused by the advancing black soldiers. "The noise of the fusillade drowned the last note of the bugle, General Gomez, dropped instantly, with a bullet through his forehead. The most fearful disorder spread through our ranks, since many of our poor soldiers did not have time to dismount, nor draw their weapons. They did not know what to do or whom to obey, the horses were stampeded, entangled in the maguey rope reins and halters, running in all directions, many of them with their viscera dragging on the ground". Captain Gonzalez was able for a moment to direct the fire of the machine gun against troop C, the Americans were momentarily checked but then continued their advance.

Captain Boyd, was killed leading his men over a wide irrigation ditch in front of the Mexican position. It was at this point that Sergeant Will Hines, with great courage crawled up to a Mexican machine gun post and single handily put it out of commission, he was killed within moments after his heroic feat. The remaining troop C, officer Lieutenant Henry Adair was killed leading his troopers toward a line of houses, he fell into the arms of Sergeant Bloodgood, his last words were: "I'm done, Sergeant take the troop forward and take the town." Ist Sergeant William Winrow, a soldier with over twenty eight years service was also killed during the engagement. Corporal Houston of troop K, describes the fight on the right flank. "After the Mexican's opened fire we then received orders to lie down and commence firing using the battle sight. All our men were taking careful aim and the Mexicans and their horses were falling in every direction. But the Mexican forces were too strong for us, so even though we were inflicting terrible execution they out numbered us too greatly for us to stop their advance around our flank. At this stage the Mexicans were so close that it was almost impossible to miss them. They were about 30 yards from our right flank, I tried to swing my platoon around so as to help out the one on the right, but it was impossible. About that time Captain Morey yelled to 1st Sergeant Page, "Sergeant Page! Good God man, they are right on you! and Page responded, "I see them, Captain, but we can't stop them and we can't stay here because it's getting too hot!"Americans were outraged, Wilson had to choose carefully the correct course of action. He demanded the release of the prisoners, but did not declare war. Within a short time Carranza did release the prisoners, but again asked for an unconditional withdrawal of American troops. Talks between the two countries dragged on for another seven months, in the meantime Wilson was reelected, and on February 5, 1917, the last of the American troops quietly left Mexico.