In the early morning hours of 9 March 1916, Mexican rebel leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa led a band of Mexican Revolutionaries on an attack of Columbus, New Mexico.
The background intrigue is far more interesting than the actual battle battle between Villa and the US 13th Cavalry who were stationed nearby. US President Woodrow Wilson had tried to manipulate Mexican leaders by supporting opposition leaders and rebels. Wilson had supported opposition leader Venustiano Carranzo when dictator Victoriano Huerta was in power. However, when Carranzo took power, Wilson didn't like him either, so he supported Villa and his "Villistas," even though Villa was a known bandit and murderer. When Carranzo changed a bit and began to court Wilson's administration for support, the US President switched again. Thereafter, Wilson allowed Carranzo to use US railways and jumping off points to fight Villa's forces. This enraged Villa.