South Dakota Troops Deployed to Mexican Border in 1916
by Duke Doering
On March 3, 1917 the 4th South Dakota Infantry Regiment was completing its last full day of duty from the seven month deployment to the Mexican Border War. Their official release date was March 3, 1917 from their “mustering out” station of Fort Crook, Nebraska.
The 4th South Dakota Infantry had spent seven months near the Mexican border at San Benito, Texas. They patrolled the border and guarded pumping plants and ranches. Never once did they make contact with Pancho Villa’s troops.
The National Guard call-up was the result of a March 9, 1916 raid at Columbus, New Mexico by Pancho Villa with 400 of his soldiers. There they robbed banks, burned part of the town, and killed 21 Americans, including nine U.S. Soldiers.
On June 19, 1916 the company commanders of the 4th South Dakota Infantry received the following telegram:
“In accordance with the call of the President dated the 18th of June, 1916, calling forth under the constitution and laws, the organized militia and National Guard, to be employed in the service of the United States. It is hereby ordered by the Governor of the State of South Dakota that you assemble your Company at twelve o’clock, noon, at the Company Station the 21st day of June, 1916, in equipment prescribed for field duty. You are to recruit your company to minimum peace strength at once, preparatory to mobilization. Be ready to move to point of mobilization June 23rd. Detailed order will follow.” By order of the Governor, W. A. Morris, The Adjutant General
So, at high noon on June 21, the 4th Regiment assembled at the appointed places, and in due time arrived at Camp Hageman, on the James River near Redfield. On July 31st the 4th Regiment entrained for a four day trip to San Benito, Texas.
4th South Dakota Infantry Regiment Commanders are listed below:
Commander, Colonel Boyd Wales
Executive Officer, Lt. Col. William Hazle
COMPANY COMMANDERS:
Company A, Pierre, Capt. William Grebing
Company B, Sioux Falls, Capt. Eugene Foster
Company C, Brookings, Capt. Clarence Evers
Company D, Parker, Capt. Charles Hackett
Company E, Canton-Howard, Capt. Edward Eneboe
Company F, Mitchell, Capt. Earl Rowley
Company G, Redfield, Capt. George Hurst
Company H, Lead, Capt. Walter Vercoe
Company I, Rapid City, Capt. George Hurst
Company K, Lemmon, Capt. Arthur Phelps
Company L, Aberdeen, Capt. Perry Peters
Company M, Yankton, Capt. Joseph Mills Hanson
Machine Gun Co., Faulkton, Capt. Lockwood Smith
Supply Co., Selby, Capt. John Balmat
Band, Webster, 1st. Sgt. Ernest Lower
Medical Det., Rapid City, Maj. Williams S. Bentley
Mounted Orderlies, Ipswich, Sgt. Roy Smith
In all, 158,664 Guardsmen nationwide served on active duty during the Mexican border crisis.
