The Mexican Conflict (1913) occurred when Victorian Huerta overthrew the Mexican government and made himself president.The United States government did not recognize Huerta as the leader of Mexico and hostilities intensified when American marines were arrested by Huerta’s soldiers. Huerta refused to fire a naval gun salute to the American flag unless the U.S. naval commander agreed to salute the Mexican flag.Since such a salute would constitute recognition of the legitimacy of Huerta’s government, the United States absolutely refused to comply.
With the arrest of the marines, President Wilson’s patience finally reached the breaking point and he asked congress for permission to use force against the Mexican government.
At the time, the American government did not know if the Mexican people would unite behind Huerta or perpetuate his downfall.Therefore, as America prepared for the worst, Captain Darrenougue of the Reedsburg National Guard was ordered to open a recruiting station at the Armory.
July 18, 1914, seventy of Reedsburg’s Co. B, 10th Infantry troops were set to leave for Camp Douglas for two weeks training.“Reedsburg will wake tomorrow to the sound of the bugle call.Marshal Music and uniformed men will be welcome on our streets because our citizens are justly proud of the record our military company has made,” reported the Reedsburg Times-Press.
However, Camp Douglas was as far as they made it as later that year, Huerta was forced to resign as Mexico’s leader and the conflict was over.
Co. B, 10th Inf. troops leaving for Camp Douglas, 1914
To learn more about Sauk County's involvement in the Mexican Conflict, click here.
