Here is a tale of daring that to duplicate, would tax the imagination of war fiction writers, and among incidents of fact will range along with the Texans' defense of the Alamo, where men fought and perished against great odds.
The occasion was the celebrated expedition conducted by General J.J.
Pershing into Mexico in pursuit of the bandit leader Villa.

A picked detachment consisting of portions of Troops C and K of the colored Tenth Cavalry, was dispatched from Pershing's main force towards the town of Villa Ahumada.

The force was commanded by Captain Charles T.Boyd of Troop C and Captain Lewis Morey of Troop K.Lieutenant Adair was second in command in Troop C to Captain Boyd.

Including officers and civilian scouts, the force numbered about 80 men.
Early on the morning of June 21, the detachment wishing to pass through the garrisoned town of Carrizal, sought the permission of the Mexican commander.

Amidst a show of force, the officers were invited into the town by the commander, ostensibly for a parley.