This Collection consists of forty postcards and photographs of military activities, equipment, drilling, and soldiers
of the Idaho 2nd Infantry at either Boise, Idaho or Fort
Huachuca, Nogales, Arizona. Most of the images were developed at La Luna Studios, Tucson, AZ.
Historical Note:
The Mexican Revolution took place between 1910 and 1920. It began with a nationwide crisis brought on by
Francisco Madero and many other rebel leaders (including Francisco “Pancho” Villa) who revolted against the Porifirio
Diaz regime. Villa was the leader of a group in northern Mexico where several key battles were fought. Some of these battles spilled
over into the United States. Villa is claimed to have targeted a U.S. military station at Columbus, New Mexico to seize and
carry away U.S. weapons and horses. This resulted in the order to General John J. Pershing to capture, or at least break up
Villa’s band of rebels.
The Mexican Revolution prompted the states on the
border to
activate their National Guard troops. Soon the need for more troops became apparent and President Wilson ordered
Secretary of War Newton D. Barker to activate one regiment of the Idaho National Guard with 1,800 men.
All companies of the Idaho
National Guard were required to gather at the Boise Barracks until they reached full strength. They arrived in Nogales, AZ
on July 12, 1916. Duties for
the Idaho National Guard were mostly centered on outpost patrol along the Arizona-Mexico border. This task proved
difficult because the border lines were difficult to determine. Besides border patrol, the troops also trained
rigorously. The Idaho Guard became known along the border as the model guard unit due to their fine organization and
preparedness. They returned to Boise
on December 23, 1916. The Idaho National Guard regiment was led by Idaho’s Adjutant General Philip J. Crow, while all troops
along the border were
under the command of General Frederick Funston.
Provenance:
Purchased from Ken Sanders Rare Books (Salt Lake City) in December of 1994.
Register completed by Ryan Lee, May 2002.
Inventory:
Box 1.
1:001. Six soldiers, including Lt. Hodge(?) and Major Wilkins(?), standing next to desert brush. Taken by W. P. Holt.
1:002. Seven soldiers, including Major Wilkins(?), sitting on a desert hill.
1:003. Eight soldiers sitting in the ruins of an adobe structure; one soldier standing below.
1:004. One soldier sitting among ruins of an adobe structure.
1:005. Nine soldiers sitting in front of an old adobe structure.
1:006. Soldiers, including Major Wilkins(?) setting up camp.
1:007. Truck Company, Nogales, Ariz.
1:008. Soldiers (Company “C”?) lined up with firearms.
1:009. Training at Boise, 1916.
1:010. Idaho Infantry Camp, Nogales, Ariz.
1:011. Part of a company just after reaching Ft. Huachuca, in front of the barracks.
1:012. Infantry camp.
1:013. Tents and barracks at Ft. Huachuca(?).
1:014. Soldiers lined up, marching and drilling.
1:015. Soldiers pitching camp on their way up to Ft. Huachuca(?).
1:016. Soldiers walking between tents in a camp.
1:017. Tents atop a desert hill.
1:018. Soldiers in a pit behind concrete wall, part of a target range(?).
1:019. Second Idaho Infantry camped at Nogales, Ariz.
1:020. Company “C” (?) after a storm.
1:021. Major Wilkins and Captain Jeeter in Boise.
1:022. 2nd Idaho Infantry camped at Ft. Huachuca target range, August 15, 1916.
1:023. 2nd Idaho Infantry camp, Nogales, Ariz.
1:024. Eight soldiers standing in camp with firearms.
1:025. Company drilling at the fort.
1:026. Company “C” of the 2nd Idaho Infantry standing at the target range, Ft. Huachuca, August 15, 1916.
1:027. Tents and barracks.
1:028. Soldiers marching down a city street.
1:029. Idaho regiment camped at Ft. Creatman(?), Arizona, August 13th, 1916.
1:030. Company “C” cleaning ground for a hospital(?).
1:031. One soldier standing outside a tent.
1:032. Two soldiers, one sitting and one standing, taken indoors.
1:033. W. P. Holt standing outside camp with firearm.
1:034. Felix Rousseau, Jr., a member of the border militia.
1:035. Four soldiers sitting on boxes in camp.
1:036. Military band standing in line outside camp with instruments in hand, conductor standing behind.
1:037. Tents and barracks atop a desert hill.
1:038. Fourteen soldiers posing in front of a building.
1:039. Large group of soldiers sitting on stairs.
1:040. Soldier sitting on a bench (washing?).
For more information: 435/797-2663; Photograph Librarian.
Special Collections & Archives, Merrill Library, Utah State University Libraries, Logan, Utah 84322-3000
