No. 227.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Foster.
Department
of State,
Washington, June 21,
1877.
No. 395.]
Sir: I transmit a copy of letters to this
Department from the Secretary of War, of the 13th, 15th, and 16th instant,
with their accompaniments. They relate to a conflict between troops in the
service of Diaz and other forces, supposed to be in the interests of Lerdo,
on the Rio Grande frontier. It seems that the Diaz troops, after defeating
and routing their adversaries on Mexican soil, pursued them into Texas,
where they again attacked and dispersed them. This was a violation of the
territory of the United States which you will lose no time in remonstrating
against.
While it is deemed hardly probable that this unjustifiable invasion of
American soil was made in obedience to any specific orders from the Mexican
capital, it is, nevertheless, a grave violation of international law, which
cannot, for a moment, be overlooked. You are instructed to call the
attention of the officers of the de facto government
with whom you are holding unofficial intercourse to this case, and to say
that the Government of the United States will confidently expect a prompt
disavowal of the act, with reparation for its consequences, and the
punishment of its perpetrators.
I am, &c.,
[Page 414]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 395.]
Mr. Crosby to
Secretary of State.
War
Department,
Washington
City, June 13,
1877.
Sir: I have the honor to. transmit for your
information copy of a telegram from General Sheridan, communicating a
dispatch from the adjutant-general, Department of Texas, relative to two
engagements alleged to have taken place between Mexican troops and
revolutionists under Valdez, the first occurring on the Mexican side,
the latter on the American side of the Rio Grande; also a copy of a
telegram to General Sheridan communicating the action of the President
in the premises.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. T. CROSBY,
Chief
Clerk.
[Telegram.]
Chicago, June 12,
1877.
(Received, Washington, June 12, 1877; 1.30
a.m.)
To General E. D.
Townsend,
Washington, D. C.:
The following dispatch from the adjutant-general, Department of Texas,
has just been received, and is forwarded for the information of the
General of the Army. I would state that the recent telegram from the
General of the Army, enjoining a greater degree of caution upon General
Ord, was immediately transmitted to him. The man Valdez, referred to in
Captain Kelley’s dispatch, is, to the best of my recollection, a
revolutionary leader in Mexico. He was at one time driven to the
American side of the river at Eagle Pass, where he surrendered himself
and his troops and was sent as a prisoner to San Antonio, and afterwards
released. I think that he is now at the head of a movement in the
interests of ex-President Laredo, (Lerdo,) and probably has his backing
at San Antonio, where General Escobedo has recently been staying. I
presume that the two engagements which Captain Kelley says occurred, one
on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and the other upon our side, took
place between some parties commanded by Valdez and the regular troops of
the Diaz government. I apprehend nothing from this affair save the
ordinary confusion incident to the Rio Grande frontier.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant-General.
San
Antonio, Tex., June 12,
1877.
The following just received, and answered not to cross:
“Fort
Clark, June 11, 1877.
“To General Ord, San Antonio:
“Following just received. My men will be ready to start by
midnight. Shall I cross the Rio Grande in pursuit of these
troops and attack them if I can overtake them? Please answer at
once.
“RAFTER (SHAFTER?)
“Commanding
Post”
“‘San Felipe, June 11, 1877.
“‘To Acting Assistant
Adjutant-General,
“‘District of
Nueces:
“‘I have the honor to report that a few moments ago three men of
the commands of Winkar and Valdez came into camp in great haste,
reporting that yesterday while in camp in Mexico, not far from
the mouth of Devil’s River, they (Winkar’s command) had an
engagement with Mexican regular troops, and being defeated fled
to the American side of the river and encamped near Painted
Caves, about the vicinity Of Lieutenant Bullis’s old camp. They
report that to-day about noon they were attacked in camp by the
Mexican troops, and before they had time to escape many were
killed. The Mexican troops numbered about 400. Any refugees will
be retained in camp here until I receive orders concerning them.
I start with all available men—thirty-five to the scene of the
attack. Colonel Martinez is one of the men here.
“‘J. M. KELLEY,
“‘Captain
Tenth Cavalry.’”
General Ord left here this morning for Eagle Pass.
TAYLOR,
Acting
Adjutant-General.
[Page 415]
[Telegram.]
Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General’s
Office,
Washington, June 13,
1877.
Lieutenant-General P. H,
Sheridan,
Commanding Division Missouri,
Chicago, Ill.:
Your dispatch of 12th, concerning crossing of Mexican troops into Texas,
read to the President, and orders for our troops not to cross
approved.
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Adjutant-General.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 395.]
Mr. Crosby to the
Secretary of State.
War
Department,
Washington
City, June 15,
1877.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, for your
information, a copy of a telegram from Lieutenant-General Sheridan dated
the 15th instant, reporting that Colonel Shafter has interned a number
of Mexican soldiers recently engaged in conflicts on the Rio Grande, and
who fled to our side of the river; also a copy of the reply of the
Adjutant-General of the Army to General Sheridan’s question as to what
disposition should be made of the persons above referred to.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. T. CROSBY,
Chief
Clerk.
[Telegram.]
Chicago, June 15, 1877.
(Received, Washington, June 15, 1877, 12.40
p.m.)
To General E. D.
Townsend,
Washington, D, C.:
Colonel Shafter, commanding at Fort Clark, Texas, has interned two
colonels, two lieutenant-colonels, five captains, and forty-five
privates, Mexicans recently engaged in conflicts on the Rio Grande, and
who fled to our side. What shall be done with these, prisoners? I doubt
if they are worth the rations which we will be obliged to issue to them
if we keep them.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant-General.
[Telegram.]
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, D. C., June 15, 1877.
Lieutenant-General Sheridan,
Commanding Division Missouri,
Chicago, Ill.:
Your dispatch concerning interned Mexicans has been submitted to the
President, who directs that, if necessary to preserve peace on the
borders, they be kept under the present restraint and rationed until
further orders.
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Adjutant-General.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 395.]
Mr. McCrary to the
Secretary of State.
War
Department,
Washington
City, June 16,
1877.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, for your
information, a copy of a telegram of the 11th instant from General Ord,
stating that he had anticipated the order not to cross into Mexico, and
given instructions accordingly. He repeats a telegram from Mr.
Schuchardt concerning Areolo and his band; and states that the Central
Government has no troops to maintain its authority on the frontier.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. McCRARY,
Secretary of
War.
[Page 416]
[Telegram.]
San
Antonio, June 11,
1877.
General Drum, Chicago:
Telegram regarding raids received. Anticipated that orders (to) cross
might stir up central authority. Instructions had been sent to meet such
action. At present Central Mexican Government not troops to maintain its
own authority on iron tier. Following shows:
“Eagle Pass, June 4, 1877.
“To Colonel Shafter,
Fort Clark, Tex.:
“Areola, a noted bandit, terror of all parties, with thirty men,
is in the oak timber at La Frieta y Una, a creek that empties
about seven leagues above San Felipe into the Rio Grande
valley—anti-Diaz. Surprised a detachment at San Juan de Sabinas;
captured a lot of horses and arms and eight prisoners. General
Treviño, of Diaz’s faction, is at Santa Rosa. An American who
came yesterday from Monclara says there are not over 200 regular
soldiers between here and Saltillo.
“WM. SCHUCHA RDT.”
ORD.
Brigadier-General,
Commanding.
[First indorsement.]
Headquarters Military Division
Missouri,
Chicago, June 13,
1877.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
