Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20
REBELS' REFUSED
FROM TAMPICO
Are Driven Back BY Fire Of
Mexican GuOhOatS.
EXPECT ANOTHER ATTACK
Are Said TO Have Lost 600 Men Killed.
United States Warships Protecting
Foreigners.


Firing has ceased ia the vicinity oil
Tampico. Men. the rebels having re-
Tired evidently TO avoid the continuous
rannonade Of the Federal gunboats.
This was the report sent 10 Vera
Cruz by Rear Admiral Fletcher, com
mander OF tile America nwar vessels
In the Gull OF Mexico. The distance to
which the rebels had withdrawn was
not stated.
Military men regard 1t as probable
that the rebels discontinued bring ON
the outskirts OF Tampieo pending the
arrival OF artillery from Victoria
The Mexican gunboat Progreso re
ceived orders to hurry TO Tampico
with achievements Tor the garrison
al that place.
Unofficial messages corrOborate the
government report OF tine rebel de
feat at Tampico as a result OF a heavy
and sustained bombardnent Ivy two
Federal punboats and Federal ileld ar
tillery Tie dispatches DO not bear
out the government claim that the re.
pulse was 4 rout.
In possession OF the railroad yards
throughout the battle. the rebels,
when they retired. remained sufficient
~ cool IN the face Of the furious lire
to take away with them every locomo'
tive and most OF the rolling stock.
That the rebel loss was great IS EN-
phasized in these adsices which add
that the buzzards which inhabit the
Mexican coast and which for genera
tions have been protected by law. nov.
cred over the battlefield in numbers
so great as to present the appearance
Of low.ilying black clouds.
According to the Federal report SUI
rebels were killed before they could
get out of range. and this would mean
many other hundreds wounded and
possibly left ON the field
II Is regarded as probable that the
relief OF Tampico is only temporary,
and that before MANY days the rebels
will resume the attack in great mum
bers. although the long battle has ma
terially cut down their supply oi am
muni,ion This may delay operations
for n time.
Reports do not indicate that the
property loss was large
The transfer OF American refugees TO
the battleships while the hghtns was
at its height was attended with con
siderable dinlculty Rear ADMIRAL
Fletcher's temporary flagship. the IA
coma. was run alongside the customs
dock. The scout cruiser Chester pro
ceeded one mile below.
Admiral Fletcher gave orders that
all Americans should withdraw from
the city. Even the German consul
abandoned his residence and went on
board the steamship kronprinzessin
Ceclle. The British admiral. Sir Chris
topher Cradock. took up his temper
airy headquarters on merchant yes
sci al the dock.
The Mexican gunboat Bravo was at
the bend OF the river below the city.
firing westward over the town. The
rebel general. Candida Aguilar. cross
ed below the Bravo from TuNpan with
1000 men and heavy guns. lie con
trolled the mouth OF the river and at
tackled the Bravo from behind. sweep
ing the gunboats decks with rifle fire
Shrapnel burst over the outskirts OF
the town and stray shots Killed and
wounded civilians. Bodies could be
seen hanging from telegraph poles.
The situation became so dangerous
TO non-combatants that Rear Admiral
Fletcher decided to send the refugees
TO the three United States battleships
lying of La Barra. Ave miles from the
fighting zone.
Until conditions improve the Ameri-
cans will be cared for on the battle
ships Many OF the children. some OF
them infants in arms. suffered severe
ly from exposure upon the crowded
decks of the little gunboat. but now
they are receiving attention from the
naval surgeons.