The Battle of San Andrés, also known as the Charge at San Andrés was an battle of the Mexican Revolution and was fought on Augest 26–27, 1913. Revolutionary leader General Pancho Villa attacked the town of San Andrés, and concluded when the American soldier of fortune, charged the federal positions amd routed the enemy. 1,000 government soldiers were killed, and 400 prisoners were executed by Villa's self styled executioner, Rodolfo Fierro. Battle Throughout the summer of 1913 Villa was at the peake of his success, winning battles against president Victoriano Huerta and his army. His infamous division of the north had a strength of almost 50,000 tough, disciplined troops, loyal only to Villa, and although Venustiano Carranza was the nominal leader of the revolt, it was Villa and his men who did most of the fighting. In short order, Villa had captured Guerrero, Bustillos, and Cras Grandes. In August 1913, Villa stationed his army outside the town of San Andrés, and on the 26th he launched his attack. Villa dispatched the head of his bodyguard and commander of the "Dorados", Julio Cárdenas to lead the assault with the infantry. The fighting lasted all day and the rebels were unable to force his way into the city because of effective fire from the federal artillery, while Cárdenas was wounded and he and his men had to withdrawal to the safety of the rebel lines. In next day on the 27th, Villa ordered his machine gun detachments under the command of the American soldier of fortune, Major E.L Holmdahl. Holmdahl's men formed a firing line and began bombarding the enemy trenches, but as darkness was about to descend, and due to Villa's willingness to decisively conclude the battle, he ordered one of his famous cavarly charges. As Cárdenas had been wounded, Villa assigned Holmdahl to lead the attack. Holmdahl ordered an subnoridate to command his machine guns, while he rode to the front of the column to commence the charge. The bugler sounded the charge, and as the Dorados charged into the mouths of the cannons shouting "Viva Villa", Holmdahl one hand on the reins, the other on his .45 caliber revolver shouted and charged the Huertistas, while his hat was shot off by a shell fragment during the charge. As the Dorados charged were nearing the trenches, Holmdahl was suddenly shot in the stomach and fell of his horse to the