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{{Infobox Military Conflict {{Infobox Military Conflict
|conflict=Battle of Ambros Nogales |conflict=Battle of Ambros Nogales
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|result=U.S. victory, cease fire arranged |result=U.S. victory, cease fire arranged
|combatant1={{flagicon|United States|1912}} ] |combatant1={{flagicon|United States|1912}} ]
|combatant2={{flagicon|Mexico|1917-1934}} ]<br/> {{flag|German Empire|Germany}} |combatant2={{flagicon|Mexico|1917-1934}} ]<|commander1=]
|commander1=]
|commander2=unknown |commander2=unknown
|strength1=estimate: 100–200 infantry and cavalry |strength1=estimate: 100–200 infantry and cavalry
|strength2=unknown |strength2=unknown
|casualties1=U.S. Army: 3 KIA, 29 WIA<br/>American Militia/Civilians:<br/> 2 KIA,<br/>unknown WIA |casualties1=U.S. Army: 3 KIA, 29 WIA<br/>American Civilians:<br/> 2 KIA,<br/>unknown WIA
|casualties2=Mexican Army: 129 KIA,unknown WIA<br/>Germany: 2 KIA,<br/>unknown WIA |casualties2=Mexican Army: 129 KIA,unknown {cn}
}} }}


'''The Battle of Ambos Nogales''' (lit. ''The Battle of Both Nogales''), was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918. Between U.S. forces, stationed in ] and a Mexican Federal garrison occupying ], instigated by a group of ] ]s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hood.army.mil/4id_1-10cavalrysquadron/sqdrnhist.htm | title = 10th Cavalry Squadron History | publisher = US Army}} </ref> '''The Battle of Ambos Nogales''' (lit. ''The Battle of Both Nogales''), was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918. Between U.S. forces, stationed in ] and a Mexican Federal garrison occupying ]


==Background== ==Background==


By 1918, the U.S. had declared war on ], thus entering ]. The situation in ] had been terrible since the beginning of the ] in 1910. While overseas fighting the Germans, U.S. forces still had an obligation to defend the ]' southern border. Throughout the ] U.S. forces garrisoned America's border towns, occasionally exchanging fire with ] rebels or federals. With the ] interception of the ] in 1917, the United States knew well of Germanys attempt to bring Mexico into the war on the side of the ]. Although the Mexicans are said to have rejected this request from their German "financial" allies. German agents and/or advisors were in fact operating in ], training forces there. Possibly the main reason why Mexico did not ] the United States in 1917 is because they were all ready fighting a long and bloody war against several different rebel factions. Also, the German fleet had been ]d by the British. Disallowing the Germans any ability to supply Mexico with troops or vast amounts of weapons which would be needed to sustain a campaign. The ] was another deterant, an operation conducted by the ] to stop the flow of German weapons from entering the ]. By 1917 the Veracruz occupation force was long gone but Mexicans knew the ] was willing to intervene in Mexico if it meant stopping German influence. Despite Mexico never having declared war on the ], Mexican and German forces were still plotting their invasion. In the beginning of 1918, the U.S. Intelligence Division in Southern Arizona began reporting that the ] was massing troops, food, clothing and weapons in ]. Also reported was the appearance of several strange white men, teaching the Mexicans basic ] procedures and building defences. (Later the strange white men were found to be Germans.) A few days before the fighting began, an anonymous letter was received by Lt. Colonel Frederick J. Herman. The letter was from someone claiming to be a ] from ]'s army. In the message, the unknown Mexican warns the Lt. Colonel of the German ] in and around ]. The letter also warns of an attack which is to take place somewhere around the end of August 1918. Just a few days later, the fighting broke out too soon and the suspected Mexican invasion was stopped before it could begin.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hood.army.mil/4id_1-10cavalrysquadron/sqdrnhist.htm | title = 10th Cavalry Squadron History | publisher = US Army}} </ref> By 1918, the U.S. had declared war on ], thus entering ]. The situation in ] had been terrible since the beginning of the ] in 1910. While overseas fighting the Germans, U.S. forces still had an obligation to defend the ]' southern border. Throughout the ] U.S. forces garrisoned America's border towns, occasionally exchanging fire with ] rebels or federals. {cn} With the ] interception of the ] in 1917, the United States knew of Germany's attempt to bring Mexico into the war on the side of the ].

In the beginning of 1918, the U.S. Intelligence Division in Southern Arizona began reporting that German agents were training the ] in ] procedures and building defences. A few days before the fighting began, an anonymous letter was received by Lt. Colonel Frederick J. Herman. The letter was from someone claiming to be a major from ]'s army. In the message, the unknown Mexican warns the Lt. Colonel of the German ] in and around ]. The letter also warns of an attack which is to take place somewhere around August 25, 1918.


==Battle== ==Battle==
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On August 27 1918, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican officer attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the ] house. On August 27 1918, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican officer attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the ] house.
As the Mexican soldier passed the office, customs inspector As the Mexican soldier passed the office, customs inspector
Arthur G. Barber ordered "halt". The Mexican failed to halt so Inspector Barber ran after him with pistol in hand, followed by two enlisted men. Another Mexican officer, on the Mexican side of the border, witnessed the chase, drew his pistol and fired at the customs inspector. The shot missed Barber but hit one of the soldiers, killing him instantly. The other enlisted man then raised his weapon and fired, killing the hostile Mexican officer. After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated, The U.S. 35th Infantry, garrison of ], called in reinforcements. Who came to their aid, none other than the famed ]s of the 10th Cavalry. Commanded by Frederick Herman, the force galloped to Nogales from their camp not far out of town. Upon their arrival, the reinforcements made it to the border, via International Street and Morely Avenue. After observing the situation for a few moments, Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican held hilltops overlooking the bordertown. Arthur G. Barber ordered "halt". The Mexican failed to halt so Inspector Barber ran after him with pistol in hand, followed by two enlisted men. Another Mexican officer, on the Mexican side of the border, witnessed the chase, drew his pistol and fired at the customs inspector. The shot missed Barber but hit one of the soldiers, killing him instantly. The other enlisted man then raised his weapon and fired, killing the hostile Mexican officer.
After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated, The U.S. 35th Infantry, garrison of ], called in reinforcements, the ]s of the 10th Cavalry, commanded by Frederick Herman.
After observing the situation for a few moments, Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican held hilltops overlooking the bordertown.
With this order, under heavy fire, the U.S. infantry and dismounted cavalry advanced across the border through the buildings and streets of ]. Several well armed Arizona citizens tagged along, thus creating a separate force of American ]. Others ] stayed on the US side, firing their weapons from their house windows. Mexican resistance was firm, undetered the American Army fought their way to the top of the hills. After a couple hours of shooting and capturing Mexican positions the battle was over when the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Mexican snipers continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors. Under heavy fire, the U.S. infantry and dismounted cavalry advanced across the border through the buildings and streets of ]. Some armed Arizona citizens tagged along, or stayed on the US side, firing their weapons from their house windows.
After a couple hours the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Snipers on both sides continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors.
<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hood.army.mil/4id_1-10cavalrysquadron/sqdrnhist.htm | title = 10th Cavalry Squadron History | publisher = US Army}} </ref>


==Aftermath== ==Aftermath==


The U.S. Army suffered 3 dead and 29 wounded, civilian ] casualties were 2 dead and several wounded. {{cn}} It was reported the Mexicans suffered 125 dead and 300 wounded and that among the dead were 2 ] agents provocatuers. {(cn}}
The U.S. Army suffered 3 dead and 29 wounded, ] Militia casualties were 2 dead and several wounded. According to the U.S. Army, over the next few days, the graves for 129 Mexicans were dug. Among the dead were 2 ] agents, other Germans may have fell ] during the battle but only two have been confirmed. The battle at Nogales, ended any possibility of a Mexican invasion of the ]. Never again were there reports of massed Mexican troops on the border or German agents helping them. The fighting of ] ended a few months later and a peace treaty was ratified in 1919. The main phase of the ] ended in 1920.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hood.army.mil/4id_1-10cavalrysquadron/sqdrnhist.htm | title = 10th Cavalry Squadron History | publisher = US Army}}

</ref>
] ended a few months later and a peace treaty was ratified in 1919. The main phase of the ] ended in 1920.


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 14:06, 30 May 2009

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Battle of Ambros Nogales
Part of Mexican Revolution
World War I

Ambros Nogales
DateAugust 27, 1918
LocationNogales, Arizona
Nogales, Sonora
Result U.S. victory, cease fire arranged
Belligerents
United States United States Mexico Mexico<
Commanders and leaders
Frederick J. Herman unknown
Strength
estimate: 100–200 infantry and cavalry unknown
Casualties and losses
U.S. Army: 3 KIA, 29 WIA
American Civilians:
2 KIA,
unknown WIA
Mexican Army: 129 KIA,unknown {cn}

The Battle of Ambos Nogales (lit. The Battle of Both Nogales), was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918. Between U.S. forces, stationed in Nogales, Arizona and a Mexican Federal garrison occupying Nogales, Sonora

Background

By 1918, the U.S. had declared war on Germany, thus entering World War I. The situation in Mexico had been terrible since the beginning of the revolution in 1910. While overseas fighting the Germans, U.S. forces still had an obligation to defend the United States' southern border. Throughout the Mexican Revolution U.S. forces garrisoned America's border towns, occasionally exchanging fire with Mexican rebels or federals. {cn} With the British interception of the Zimmerman Telegram in 1917, the United States knew of Germany's attempt to bring Mexico into the war on the side of the Central Powers.

In the beginning of 1918, the U.S. Intelligence Division in Southern Arizona began reporting that German agents were training the Mexican Army in military procedures and building defences. A few days before the fighting began, an anonymous letter was received by Lt. Colonel Frederick J. Herman. The letter was from someone claiming to be a major from Pancho Villa's army. In the message, the unknown Mexican warns the Lt. Colonel of the German espionage in and around Nogales, Sonora. The letter also warns of an attack which is to take place somewhere around August 25, 1918.

Battle

Nogales, Santa Cruz Co. Showing boundary line between Arizona and Sonora. General view of center of town from hillside, looking west along International Street, ca. 1898-99.

On August 27 1918, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican officer attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the U.S. Customs house. As the Mexican soldier passed the office, customs inspector Arthur G. Barber ordered "halt". The Mexican failed to halt so Inspector Barber ran after him with pistol in hand, followed by two enlisted men. Another Mexican officer, on the Mexican side of the border, witnessed the chase, drew his pistol and fired at the customs inspector. The shot missed Barber but hit one of the soldiers, killing him instantly. The other enlisted man then raised his weapon and fired, killing the hostile Mexican officer.

After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated, The U.S. 35th Infantry, garrison of Nogales, called in reinforcements, the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry, commanded by Frederick Herman.

After observing the situation for a few moments, Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican held hilltops overlooking the bordertown. Under heavy fire, the U.S. infantry and dismounted cavalry advanced across the border through the buildings and streets of Nogales, Sonora. Some armed Arizona citizens tagged along, or stayed on the US side, firing their weapons from their house windows.

After a couple hours the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Snipers on both sides continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors.

Aftermath

The U.S. Army suffered 3 dead and 29 wounded, civilian Arizona casualties were 2 dead and several wounded. It was reported the Mexicans suffered 125 dead and 300 wounded and that among the dead were 2 German agents provocatuers. {(cn}}

World War I ended a few months later and a peace treaty was ratified in 1919. The main phase of the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920.

See also

Sources

  • website
  • Finley, James P. Huachuca Illustrated Vol. 2 Part 6, Buffalo Soldiers at Huachuca: The Battle of Ambros Nogales. Library of Congress 1996, ISBN 93-206790
  • Wharfield, Harold B. Tenth Cavalry and Border Fights. publisher: author
  • 10th Cavalry Squadron History

References

Categories: