July, 1916: South on the Border In July, 1916 Sgt. Sam Avery and
the rest of the Massachusetts Brigade were stationed at Camp
Cotton (the “City of Tents”) outside of El Paso, Texas. In
addition to adjusting to the high desert climate, the troops
found themselves under fire and in a state of war with Mexican
forces along the Border. Read the page South on the Border to
learn more about the events of the Mexican Revolution that made
American military action necessary. Read Sam’s compelling
account of his journey South from New England to the “North
Shore of Hell”. Read the page July, 1916 to learn more about the
mission of the Massachusetts National Guard as some of the first
troops to defend American soil from foreign invasion since the
War of 1812. Read Sam’s correspondence for July as he battles
homesickness and the elements along with the enemy. July, 1918:
Champagne-Marne Defensive and Aisne-Marne Offensive During the
first half of July, 1918 Sam Avery found himself under heavy
fire with the 103rd Infantry