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| Bisbee Daily Review, 28-August-1918 |
SKIRMISH AT NOGALES BRINGS HEAVY CASUALTIES TO EACH SIDE
AMERICAN AND MEXICAN SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS ENGAGE IN HOT FIGHT WHICH RESULTS IN CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES
CAPTAIN J. D. HUNGERFORD IS KILLED; LIEUTENANT LUKE LOFTUS AMOUNG SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
Gaston Reddock, Civilian, Died Early in Fighting; Battle Is Brought on by Attempt of Mexican Immigration Guards to Put Mexican Civilian on Arizona Side of Border Without Proper Authorization, Which was Resisted by Sentry; Lt. Col. F. J. Herman Slightly Wounded While Leading Men
NOGALES, Ariz., Aug. 27. -- Two Americans were killed, twenty-nine wounded, and more than 500 American troops were engaged for one and one-half hours on the border here late today, during a skirmish between American troops and Mexicans.
CAPT. J. D. HUNGERFORD, was killed in action.
CORP. BARNEY LOTZ, was also killed.
LT. COL. FREDERICK J. HERMAN, was wounded in the right leg.
LT. LUKE LOFTUS was seriously wounded in the body.
CAPT. H. C. CARON, was wounded in the arm.
LT. S. LOCKWOOD, was also wounded.
GASTON REDDOCK, reported killed tonight, was seriously, if not fatally wounded.
CHARLES LEVIN and E. MARCOR, employees of the Southern Pacific of Mexico, at Nogales, Sonora, also are listed among the Americans wounded.
He was a customs guard. (??? - JT)
Another civilian named Cooley was reported to have been wounded.
These facts were officially announced here late tonight, after a survey of the town and camp had been made.
MEXICAN CASUALTY ESTIMATES
While the casualties on the Mexican side of the border were not known tonight, it was estimated that 100 had been killed by fire from the American side while at least twice this number, including a number of civilians, were wounded. It was reported tonight that the mayor of Nogales, Sonora, was killed but this was not confirmed.
The fighting followed alleged efforts of a Mexican custom officer to smuggle a fellow countryman across the boundary into the United States. An American sentry attempted to stop him. The two Mexicans fired at the sentry across the street, striking him in the right arm. The fire was returned by the American patrols and after Mexicans had rushed from nearby buildings and started shooting across the line from behind buildings and walls, the firing became general.
Reinforcements from an infantry regiment and colored cavalry were rushed to the border and took up combat positions. It was estimated several hundred American soldiers and at least fifty civilians participated in the shooting. It was reported tonight that a detachment of the tenth cavalry crossed the border in pursuit of the Mexicans, but this was not confirmed. The fighting which started at 4:05 p. m. continued without abatement until 5:20 -when it died down except for an occasional sniping shot along the long International street.
At 5:30 a white flag was displayed by the Mexicans, a parley followed but the sniping continued until after 7 o'clock. Bullets fell in Nogales and civilians were ordered to remain indoors and without the zone of fighting. Adobe houses, because their walls cannot be pierced by high power bullets, were especially popular and many families spent the night in these buildings with friends.
MEXICAN MAYOR REPORTED KILLED
NOGALES. Ariz., Aug. 27. -- The mayor of Nogales, Sonora, reported to have been killed, was Felix Penaloza. His death has not been confirmed, although he was known to have been in the thick of the fighting. Mexican Consul Garza Zertuche, stationed here, stated tonight he did not believe the losses on the Mexican side of the line would be as heavy as was estimated by American officers.
GENERAL CABELL TO COMMAND
DOUGLAS. Ariz., Aug. 27. -- Gen. De R. C. Cabell, commander of the Arizona district left by automobile at S o'clock tonight for Nogales to take charge there until quiet is restored.
MEXICAN CASUALTIES WERE HEAVY
NOGALES. Ariz.. Aug. 27. -- Casualties on the Mexican side, according to a late report, were over one hundred killed and wounded.
AMERICAN CASUALTIES IN FIGHTING.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., Aug. 27. -- Lieutenant Colonel Herman was wounded in the knee one corporal was killed and two privates wounded in the skirmish with Mexicans at Nogales, Ariz., today, according to meager reports of the affair received at Southern department headquarters here tonight. A full report Is expected shortly by Major General Holbrook, commander of the Southern department.
Rumors of Revolution
NOGALES. Ariz. Aug. 27. (8:10 p. m.) -- Lieutenant Colonel Herman, commanding troops stationed at Nogales, was among the American soldiers wounded in a two hour fight with Mexicans which started when United States sentries were fired upon.
Several hundred troops engaged the Mexicans and drove them well back into their town.
Civilians aided the soldiers from house tops and other points of vantage.
Casualties are not known at this time.
The Mexicans hoisted a flag of truce but continued firing and sniping was going on at 7 p. m.
Bullets were dropping thick and fast in Nogales, Arizona. One civilian, Gaston Reddock, was wounded.
A conference has been called between American and Mexican officials.
The trouble was supposed to have started as a result of an attempt on the part of a Mexican immigration official to pass a fellow countryman across the border illegally. American sentries drew guns and Mexicans fired. Other Mexicans apparently fully armed, came from all directions and aided the Mexicans on the line until they were driven back.
One infantry detachment in command of Lieutenant Colonel Herman was rushed to the border and was followed by negro cavalry troops who took up positions along the street which forms the boundary line. The firing continued until 5:30 p. m., when it died down slightly but occasional shots could be heard.
Reports that machine guns were brought into action by the American troops were denied, although a machine gun was set up in an office facing Mexico.
The first shot, like a flash in a pan, started the shooting along the boundary line. No one seemed to know exactly what happened after the first shot was fired. An American sentry was seen to enter an office on International Avenue with his arm dangling at his side with a bullet wound through his shoulder. Soon after the firing became general and the crowd which rushed to the custom house when the first shots were fired sought shelter behind buildings and every one was ordered off the streets by the military authorities.
Rumors that Juan G. Cabral, leader of a rebel band which has been operating south of the border, had approached within 14 miles of Nogales, was camped at the Maytorena ranch and that the shooting in Nogales was preliminary to an attack on the town by his band could not be confirmed.
The fighting began about 4 o'clock and was general for an hour and a half.
In pursuing the Mexicans the American troops did not stop at the boundary line, it was said, but continued for at least two blocks into the Mexican town.
Word was received late today from Fort Huachuca that reinforcements were being hurried toward Nogales and would be here by tomorrow morning.
As soon as the firing became general calls were sent to Douglas, Ariz., Fort Huachuca and outpost points. These are cavalry posts and the reinforcements were expected to start tonight, making the trip overland.
Many persons from surrounding towns and cities rushed to Nogales to assist the citizens and soldiers, expecting a general engagement.
Tonight Lieutenant Colonel Herman, who was slightly wounded, was able to retain command of the troops, although he had to be assisted from place to place.
NARROW STREET BETWEEN
NOGALES, Ariz., Aug. 27. -- Like the main street of a moving picture frontier town. International avenue, where the fighting started, zig rags its way along the international boundary line between Mexico and the United States and forms the main business street of towns in two republics. Concrete monuments marking the border stands at intervals like giants fingers and a barbed wire fence which was erected by the Mexican officials to prevent evasions of the customs and immigration laws adds a militant touch to the picture.
American sentries patrol the boundary night and day while Mexican sentries in their slate colored uniforms, patrol the opposite side of the wide business street. Customs guards and patrol squads have their stations at the American and Mexican custom houses which face each other across the street.
Nogales, Arizona, is a progressive Arizona border town with modern houses, two and three story business buildings on International avenue and residence streets lined with palm and umbrella trees. Nogales, Sonora, the Mexican town, is a typical Mexican border village with square adobe houses resembling cubes of native brown sugar. There are several large buildings on the Mexican side of the boundary and a church surrounded by a little plaza after the fashion of all Mexican towns. The Mexican settlement is said to be one of the prettiest towns on the Mexican border.
Nogales, Sonora, has been the scene of a number of border battles. The Diaz federal troops were defeated and forced to cross the border and surrender to American troops. They were commanded by Col. Emilio Kosterlitzzky, a Polish officer In the Mexican federal army.
A clash between American troops and Mexican rebels also occurred there during the Villa-Carranza fight. The Carranza troops were fired upon by mistake when it was thought they were Villa followers attempting to raid the American side of the border.
The beautiful residence of Ignacio Bonillas, ambassador to Washington, is located within sight of the international line, Nogales being his home.
GENERAL CABELL LEAVES
(By Review Leased Wire)
(Approved by Commanding General)
EL PASO, Tex., Aug. 27. -- Rumors of firing across the international line at Nogales, Ariz., were received at the Arizona district headquarters, Brigadier General De Rosey Cabell announced tonight. He said he had received no confirmation of these rumors but was leaving at once for Nogales to investigate.
By long distance telephone tonight, Brigadier General Cabell, commanding officer of the Arizona border district with headquarters at Douglas, Ariz., authorized the statement that rumors of firing across the international line at Nogales, Ariz., had been received there late today. General Cabell added he was leaving by automobile at once to Investigate.
TUCSON'S VERSION RECEIVED
(By Review Leased Wire)
TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 27, 9:07 p. m. -- When two Mexican sentries patrolling the international line in Nogales, Sonora, this afternoon at 4 o'clock, attempted to pass a Mexican across the line into Nogales, Ariz., at Morley and International avenues, an American sentry stopped him and drew his gun. The two Mexican guards opened fire on the American sentryman, whereupon, as though the firing had been a signal. Mexican troops rushed put of the Nogales, Sonora, depot and other buildings, toward the scene of the shooting. An alarm was sent in to the American military authorities, and several companies of infantry and a troop of colored cavalry were rushed to the line, led by Lt. Col. Frederick J. Herman. The Mexicans fought from cover and for an hour and a half the firing was general. At about 5:30 o'clock a white flag was run up from a building on the Mexican side of the line, but at six o'clock desultory fighting was continuing. The American troops did not stop at the International line, going as far as two blocks south into the Mexican town. The American casualties are said to be three soldiers killed and twelve wounded, among the wounded being Lieutenant Colonel Herman, who sustained a bullet wound in the leg.
The Mexican casualties are believed to number seven or eight. The character of the outbreak is not certain at this hour and it is not definitely ascertained whether it was an irresponsible attack or a revolutionary movement.
Major Rush, in command at Fort Huachuca has sent word that reinforcements for the Americans will leave the military post tonight and will arrive in Nogales by morning.
American Consul G. M. Lawton and Mexican Consul Garza Zertuche will confer this evening.
American civilians participated in the fighting, firing from buildings on the American side.
A telephone message from Nogales at 10:15 o'clock tonight said that the twin cities were quiet, a truce having been agreed upon until 7 o'clock in the morning. At a conference tonight between A. J. Abasola. commanding the Nogales, Sonora, garrison, and Lieutenant Colonel Herman, together with Collector of the Port Charles Hardy and prominent American and Mexican civilians, Commandante Abasola expressed regret at the outbreak and declared it was due to ill feeling between Mexican and American customs guards. He said there was no hostility among the Mexican federal soldiers toward the American forces.
THINK QUIET RESTORED
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., Aug. 27. -- Belief that the clash at Nogales, Arizona, this afternoon was merely the outgrowth of an attempt to pass a Mexican into the United States in violation of Immigration laws and that the situation would be satisfactorily handled by Brigadier General De Rosey Cabell, who is on his way to Nogales, was expressed late tonight at Southern department headquarters which had received only a brief report of the incident from General Cabell.
The report gave no details of the fight. Department headquarters does not expect another report until tomorrow.
My own entry on the anniversary of the battle: https://lexanteinternet.blogspot.com/2018/08/back-on-border-battle-of-ambos-nogales.html
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