Battle of Parral | |||||||
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Part of the Border War, Pancho Villa Expedition | |||||||
Men of the 13th Cavalry waiting to embark on a train in Columbus, New Mexico, to load the coffins of the soldiers killed in the raid. during the Pancho Villa Expedition. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States | Mexico | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Frank Tompkins (WIA) | Ismael Lozano[2] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
~150 cavalry | ~70-120 cavalry | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
5 killed 6 wounded | 7 killed or wounded[3][4] |
The Battle of Parral, on April 12, 1916, was the first battle between soldiers of Venustiano Carranza, known as Carrancistas, and the United States military during the Mexican Expedition. When a small force of American cavalry was leaving the city of Parral, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, a superior force of Carrancista soldiers attacked which resulted in a bloody running engagement. Using a strategy of organized withdrawal, the Americans were able to repulse the Mexican attacks and safely escape to the fortified village of Santa Cruz de Villegas.[5]