The Villista Prisoners Of 1916-17 is a historical investigation of the capture, trial, and punishment of soldiers who followed the infamous Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Some were sentenced to hang; others were given life in prison. Their trials sparked a bitter and emotional debate about the culpability of private soldiers who obeyed orders. Author Professor Hurst investigates all the circumstances of Pancho Villa's lethal raid on Columbus, New Mexico, and the confusion of conflicting records on the fate of the captured Villistas. The only surviving trial transcript of the first six Villistas to be caught is used extensively. Thorough documentation along with extensive attention to detail make The Villista Prisoners Of 1916-17 is an eye-opening examination of the aftermath to a turbulent moment in the history of the American West.