Battle of Columbus (1916)

The Battle of Columbus (Burning of Columbus or the Columbus Raid), March 9, 1916, began as a raid conducted by remnants of Pancho Villa's Division of the North on the small United States border town of Columbus, New Mexico, located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the border with Mexico. The raid escalated into a full-scale battle between Villistas and the United States Army.

This article is about the raid on Columbus, New Mexico by the forces of Pancho Villa. For the American Civil War battle, see Battle of Columbus (1865).

Battle of Columbus

Columbus, after the battle
DateMarch 9, 1916
Location
Columbus, New Mexico, United States
31°49′51″N 107°38′30″W
Result

American victory

  • Columbus heavily damaged
  • Villistas retreat with heavy casualties
Belligerents
 United States

Conventionists

Commanders and leaders
Herbert Slocum
Frank Tompkins		 Pancho Villa
Strength
353 484
Casualties and losses
8 killed and 15 wounded 67 killed and many more wounded
7 captured
10 civilians killed

Villa himself led the assault, only to be driven back into Mexico by elements of the 13th Cavalry Regiment stationed at the town. The attack angered Americans, and President Woodrow Wilson ordered Brigadier General John J. Pershing to lead the Punitive Expedition in which the US Army invaded Mexico but failed to capture Villa.

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