writing.

Germany threatened the Panama Canal by disruption in Mexico and Haiti.
The Mole St. Nicholas gave command of the canal to anyone of the great
powers who might seize it. German influence was at work in Port au
Prince. There occurred a riot involving both French and German
Legations. The President of Haiti was assassinated. The United States
marines stepped in and took over the situation. The American Negro heart
went out to little Haiti. Hoping for the best, he feared the worst.

In the midst of this situation, Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New
Mexico. Overnight Negro regiments of regular army and of national guard
received word to go to the border. Black troopers of the 10th Cavalry
were reported near Casas Grandes on March 17. The 24th Infantry,
colored, set out for Mexico, and another Negro command was sent to
Columbus on March 22. Through storm and dust and desert of alkali and
cacti, the Negro troopers, led by Colonel Brown, came to Aguascalientes.
They had passed through a terrible experience that must have daunted all
save those who refuse to accept defeat. Hunger and thirst and mirage and
exposure must all be overcome. Because of hardships many cavalrymen
deserted on May 1, after three months' service in action. But every
Negro trooper with Colonel Brown held on and defeated the Villistas in
every skirmish.

On a day in June, 1916, a troop from the 10th Cavalry approached the
Mexican town of Carrizal. They were forbidden to enter the town for
purposes of refreshment. Captain Boyd resolved to make the entry
regardless of any regulations the Mexicans might seek to enforce. He
was called upon by General Gomez to advance for a parley. As he advanced
with his troopers, Mexicans spread out in a wide circle around them.
Gomez, himself, trained the machine gun which opened fire. The parley
was a mere sham and decoy. Captain Boyd with Lieutenant Adair and eleven
soldiers were killed. The rest of the troopers fell on the Mexicans,
seized their gun, turned it upon them, and brought to death scores of
their number, including Gomez himself. Seventeen black Americans were
interned in Chihuahua, but were released eight days after upon demand by
the American government. Captain Morey reported that his men faced death
with a song on their lips. The lesson which the Mexicans learned by
turning a machine gun on Negro troopers was of such force that no
trouble has arisen since in this section of the southern republic.