File No. 812.00/21839

The Secretary of War ( Baker) to the Secretary of State

The Secretary of War presents his compliments to the honorable the Secretary of State, and desires to transmit, enclosed herewith, copy of telegram received from the Commanding General, Southern Department, relative to a pursuit of a band of raiding Mexicans by United States troops into Mexico. Attention is especially called to the concluding sentence of a despatch reported to have been sent by Colonel Langhorne, United States Army.

[Enclosure—Telegram]

The Commanding General of the Southern Department ( Ruckman) to the Adjutant General ( McCain)

6890. Following telegram from commanding officer Big Bend district repeated:

I wired you that I personally was at Neville’s ranch. I sent Captain Anderson on trail of raiders with his Troop G and Captain Tate with Troop A. The Detachment of H troop was sent to Bosque Bonito. Anderson has just reported from Everett’s ranch as follows:

Have just come out of Mexico. Hit hot trail of raiders and trailed them from Nevilles toward Bosque Bonito back of mountains. They turned toward Pilares. Estimated number of bandits 35. Ascertain that they crossed toward Pilares and camped at Roswells, called the Gap, left there about 4.40 a.m., crossed mountains and followed trail led to river. Just as it turned toward Pilares Mexicans opened fire; we chased them, starting fight at 11 a.m., after hiking 30 miles we chased them back into hills as far as horses lasted; they had fresh horses. Number of dead seen 10, number killed or wounded 20. Found Neville’s saddle on a horse also Neville’s horse; could not bring out saddle as there was no way of carrying it; horse was all in. Found young Neville’s chaps on dead Mexican but did not stop to take them off; could not locate him afterwards. Found young Neville’s brother’s and Alverice Costilla’s saddle; brought both out; had to kill one of Neville’s horses as he had been shot. Cleaned out Pilares; there was a lot of ammunition and dynamite in houses. Casualties on our side: one man killed, Pvt. Theodore Kalbert, Troop G; one horse, Troop G, wounded in neck; one horse, Troop A, wounded in breast, not serious; one pack mule wounded in leg. Did not see Carranzistas but thought we saw dust clouds coming up river. Walked to Everett as horses covered about 75 miles. Left patrol 10 men at river.

Gen. José Murguía had sent me word that he would send troops to resist ours, the Trail, Langhorne.

Particular attention is invited to last sentence of above message.

Ruckman