The Muddied Waters of Columbus, New Mexico

Abstract

There is neither lake nor river in Columbus, New Mexico, now nor was there on March 9, 1916, when it was raided by Mexican bandits. The muddied waters are those of history as the events that took place over 59 years ago are almost as cloudy today as the day they occurred. Many questions about the raid remain unanswered: Was Pancho Villa at Columbus? If so, did he enter the town? How many Mexicans took part in the raid? However, the question that has concerned the amateur and professional historian of Mexico, the United States, and Germany is why did the raid take place? What was the greater importance of the raid? Most of these questions cannot be adequately answered without an examination of the political and military career of Francisco Villa, the recent and contemporary American viewpoint of Villa, and some salient events that preceded March 9, 1916.