"Luis Raúl Esteves Völckers was the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on June 19, 1915. He did join the Army as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to the 23rd Infantry, stationed in Texas City, Texas under the command of General Pershing. This was during the time Mexico was undergoing a civil war and the US was having border skirmishes Pancho Villa, along the Texas and New Mexico - Mexican border. He was then sent to in El Paso, Texas during the "Pancho Villa Incident" by the Army, where they felt he would be a big help, due of his knowledge of the language."
Maps from Pancho Villa Incident-
The populace of Columbus, NM was in a state of hysteria. Columbus lay virtually demolished, so completely burned and pillaged that it never recovered its former vitality. To prevent repetitions of the Columbus outrage, President Wilson called out 15,000 militia and stationed them along the U.S. - Mexico border (Map 1). Wilson also informed President Carranza that he intended to send a military expedition into northern Mexico to capture Pancho Villa, and Carranza reluctantly agreed. President Wilson then appointed Brigadier General John J. Pershing to lead 4,800 troops (mostly cavalry), supported by aircraft and motorized military vehicles (the first time either were used in U.S. warfare) on a punitive expedition into Mexico to capture Villa.
Villa’s men mingled with the populace at will by simply removing the cartridge belts they normally strapped across their chests. They even mixed with the Americans and attended Western “cowboy” movies with Pershing’s officers.
"On June 19, 1916, the entire Michigan National Guard was called out for service on the Mexican border instigated by raids on American border towns by the Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa. The Thirty-second was mustered into federal service on the first of July. The organization of the 2nd included four companies from Grand Rapids, two from Kalamazoo, and one each from Coldwater, Adrian, Ionia, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Big Rapids.
"This war also became known as the Pancho Villa Expedition.
"Shortly thereafter, the regiment departed for El Paso, Texas, arriving at Camp Cotton on July 12, located a mere three hundred yards from the Mexican border. Upon its arrival, regular army inspectors took note of the excellent condition of the regiment and the short amount of time it took to get settled into camp. The next four weeks were spent in intensive training. During this time, details were organized to guard important points in the vicinity of El Paso. On August 15, the regiment took over the entire outpost along the Rio Grande River and the boundary line in New Mexico. This consisted of a line stretching fromFort Hancock, 50 miles (80 km) southeast of El Paso, to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for a total of 47 miles (76 km) in length. While the Grand Rapids battalion was on the border, construction work on the new Michigan Street armory was completed.
" Saturday, January 13, 1917, the final inspection of the regiment had been conducted. The regiment struck camp on Thursday and returned to Fort Wayne, where it was mustered out of service on February 15. Under federal laws Congress adopted in June 1916 the regiment reverted to its National Guard status." WIKIPEDIA
THE FOLLOWING REPORT ON CAMP COTTON IS FROM THE BLOG AT WORDPRESS:
Camp Cotton was called the “City of Tents” by its inhabitants and was constructed on a level stretch of desert between the Mexican Border and El Paso. Although the climate was called the “North Shore of Hell” by the Massachusetts troops and seemed to be an incinerator under a merciless sun, the locale was 5,000 feet above sea-level which led to a universal condition of nose-bleeds and cracked lips. Wind and sand storms were commonplace and wreaked havoc with the canvas shelters erected on the flat plain. In addition to the threat of guerilla incursions from across the border, the troops became aware that there was a security threat from the Mexican population residing within the United States as well. In 1916, the population of El Paso itself was 60% Mexican which represented the significant dangers of a Fifth Column comprised of restive Revolutionary sympathizers who were actively engaged in smuggling and sabotage operations that the National Guard had been assigned to prevent.
Outpost: Looking Across The Border, 1916
The fact that the troops were now at war was proved immediately when on July 3 a man of the 5th Regiment was shot and killed by a Mexican sniper not more than 100 yards from the line of tents. Random fire was also frequently exchanged across the Border with the regular troops and Texas Rangers stationed on outposts at the Border’s edge. While the Expeditionary Force of Regular Army troops under General John Pershing pursued the forces of Pancho Villa in Mexico, it was widely anticipated that the newly-arrived National Guard troops would also be called on to join the chase.
Railroad Bridge Outside El Paso, 1916
Along with expecting to advance into Mexico, the Massachusetts troops were assigned duties which included defending the Border from attack and infiltration along with protecting vital industrial and transportation targets from sabotage. Located in the greater El Paso area were two of the largest industrial complexes in the Southwest; the Southwestern Portland Cement Company and a large smelter and refinery that processed approximately 35% of refined metals production in the United States. A squalid industrial village called “Smeltertown” or “El Toro” housed the impoverished Mexican refinery workers in a ghetto along the Rio Grande, and two large railroad bridges connected Texas and New Mexico near the Mexican Border in that area which were vulnerable to attack. Companies of troops rotated duty between resting and drilling in reserve at Camp Cotton, securing the industrial and railroad facilities, and standing outpost duty patrolling the front line on the Border. As Mexican prisoners were taken, they were secured at Camp Cotton under guard.
Camp and Cement Plant, 1916
Outpost: Looking Across The Border, 1916
Railroad Bridge Outside El Paso, 1916
Camp and Cement Plant, 1916
8th Regiment HQ, Camp Cotton
In mid- August, 1916 the annual rainy season commenced with a sudden deluge, flash flood and high winds that caused widespread destruction throughout Camp Cotton. While this became a daily occurrence each afternoon, it was also augmented by the hurricane that struck Corpus Christi, Texas on August 18, 1916.
Morning Drill, Camp Cotton 1916
By August 20, the political situation with Mexico had changed and it was apparent that the National Guard troops would not be needed for an invasion of Mexico after all. Along with this disappointment, morale among the ranks was negatively affected by several other factors: Constant rumors from the newspapers that the troops would soon be recalled were both ever-present and ever-changing; An order received authorizing the release from duty on September 1, 1916 of any Guardsman who wished to attend college in the Fall was promptly rescinded; and many men whose families suffered serious economic hardship from the extended deployment received no financial relief from the State as had been promised. In spite of this, the Y.M.C.A. helped maintain morale by providing recreational facilities and various support services to the men. Individual Companies also organized and performed vaudeville shows while Regiments competed against each other and nearby units of the Regular Army in sports such as baseball and boxing. Individually the men would sing, play cards or write letters home to while away the evening hours. Overall, the men were happiest when they were busy out in the field both facing the enemy and accomplishing their mission.
Church Service, Camp Cotton 1916
In September the weather cooled off so that while the days were not exceedingly hot, the desert nights became very cold. Plagues of flies and mosquitoes also bedeviled the troops wherever they went. Supplies of cold weather blankets and uniforms were limited, delayed both by logistics and the constant uncertainty of how long the Massachusetts troops would be remaining in the area. Despite this uncertainty, it was clear that the presence of the National Guard on the Border was to become more permanent. Camp Cotton thus underwent a transformation from shelters of canvas and dirt to more durable wooden facilities. Wooden walls and floors were also installed inside the pyramidal tents.
8th Regiment On Brigade March, 1916
During the first half of September, the Regular Army evaluated the standards of the Massachusetts troops through a series of inspections followed by a Brigade march which began on September 13, 1916 in order to test the men’s strength and endurance after three months of active duty.
8th Regiment Men Resting During Brigade March, 1916
A military parade was performed on September 19, consisting of 35,000 Regular Army and National Guard troops which was the largest military column seen within the United States since the Civil War. The parade was formed at El Paso and marched to Fort Bliss where it passed in review and then returned. As the parade had proved to be a great success, the Massachusetts troops were then ordered to perform a long, 14-day campaign march beginning at the start of October.
Passing Review at Fort Bliss, 1916
Do you know if Leon Tetlow had any children in CA?
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