Battle of Columbus (1916)

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 / 31.83083°N 107.64167°W / 31.83083; -107.64167
Result

Villista tactical defeat

  • Columbus heavily damaged
  • Columbus was raided successfully
  • Villistas withdraw with heavy casualties
Belligerents
 United States

Conventionists

Commanders and leaders
Herbert Slocum
Frank Tompkins		 Pancho Villa
Strength
353 484
Casualties and losses
8 soldiers killed and 6 wounded at least 67 killed and many more wounded
11 captured (6 executed)
10 civilians killed, 2 wounded

The Battle of Columbus, also known as the Burning of Columbus or the Columbus Raid, began on March 9, 1916, 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.

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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