What was the maximum strength of the Mounted Watchmen?
Two documents from 1918 have been discovered, in which the Commissioner-General of the Immigration Service addresses a request regarding staffing levels along the Mexican border. The document dated September 3, 1918, outlines the authorized personnel numbers, while the one from September 4, 1918, reveals the actual staffing figures.
According to the documents, there were 68 Mounted Watchmen employed at the time, although 84 positions were authorized. These watchmen were also referred to as Mounted Guards or Mounted Patrol. The origin of the "maximum strength of 75 watchmen" quote remains uncertain and unverified. The document from September 3rd serves as the most reliable evidence found so far, indicating the maximum strength of the mounted force as 68 Watchmen.
The September 3rd document
The September 4th document
According to the documents, there were 68 Mounted Watchmen employed at the time, although 84 positions were authorized. These watchmen were also referred to as Mounted Guards or Mounted Patrol. The origin of the "maximum strength of 75 watchmen" quote remains uncertain and unverified. The document from September 3rd serves as the most reliable evidence found so far, indicating the maximum strength of the mounted force as 68 Watchmen.
The September 3rd document
The September 4th document
