Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1916 — Fine Marksmanship of U. S. Scrappers Startles Mexicans. [ARTICLE]

Fine Marksmanship of U. S. Scrappers Startles Mexicans.

Columbus, N. M., April 7.—-Proof of the marksmanship of American soldiers has done more than any other development of the campaign in Mexico to strike fear into the hearts of Villa’s followers, according to reports seeping across the border. The straight Shooting done at Columbus, that of the little detachment that pursued the bandits across the line after the raid, and that at Guerrero and Agua Calientes, was totally unexpected by the Mexicans. It was utterly different from Shooting they had experienced In engagements between factional troops in the five years of civil strife, close followers of the situation assert. The marksmanship of the soldiers is the result of a studied effort in the last few years to bring their shooting to the highest point of efficiency. Regular target practice on military reservations and bonuses paid to soldiers who showed merit, has done much to accomplish this end. v