Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong - View this location on map On March 9, 1916, approximately 485 Mexican revolutionaries under the command of Gen. Francisco 'Pancho' Villa (1877?-1923) crossed into the United States and attacked the sleeping border town of Columbus, killing 10 civilians and 8 soldiers. Without consulting the Mexican Government, President Wilson ordered a punitive expedition, led by Gen. John J. Pershing, into Mexico to capture Villa and prevent further raids across the international border. Post Office Box 350, Columbus, New Mexico Historical

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