By early May 1916, the General John "Black Jack" Pershing's 10,000-man "Punitive Expedition" had withdrawn from most of Chihuahua Province rather than risk a war with Mexico, and occupied a rough parallelogram 100 miles long and 30 miles wide. If possible, Pershing's commanders would continue to search for Pancho Villa within their sectors, while (in theory) Mexican government forces scoured southern Chihuahua and Durango provinces.
Although this geographical restriction limited the likelihood that U.S. forces would capture/kill Villa, the Punitive Expedition did manage to score some significant victories over Villista forces. On the evening of May 4, Pershing received a report that two Villista leaders were in the vicinity of Cusi with 120 men threatening the town and Carrancista garrison. He subsequently ordered Major Robert Howze: "Move on Cusi and disperse the Villistas, if found." Within two hours Howze had assembled six troops of cavalry and -- with his Apache scouts riding point -- led his men on a forced march of more than 36 miles. As the troops approached Ojos Azules (Blue Eyes) ranch at 5:45 AM on the 5th, they saw the red glow of the Villistas' camp fires burning brightly. The Villistas opened fire from 900 yards, and the Apaches returned fire "shrieking shrill, weird war whoops." The fight at Ojos Azules lasted only 20 minutes, but Howze's command killed 61 Villistas. Amazingly, not a single American was wounded in the battle.
My Grandfather was in this action as a trooper in troop "C" in the 11th Calvery. I am interested in finding any Photos of this Troop. I know there is a Troop picture as I have seen it as a child. It was lost in a fire and would like to get a copy if anyone has it. Thank you My Email is rlgrimesII@att.net
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