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Battle of Ambos Nogales

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Battle of Ambos Nogales
Part of Mexican Revolution
World War I

Ambos 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

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 provocateurs. {(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 Ambos Nogales. Library of Congress 1996, ISBN 93-206790
  • Wharfield, Harold B. Tenth Cavalry and Border Fights. publisher: author
  • 10th Cavalry Squadron History

References

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