Milford chronicle., 1913-12-19
REBELS REPULSED
FROM TAMPICO.
Are Driven Back by Fire Of
Mexican GulbOatS
EXPECT ANOTHER ATTACK

Are Said to Have Lost 800 Men Killed.
United States Warships Protecting
Foreigners.
Firing has ceased In the vicinity OF
Tampico Mex, the rebels having re-
tired evidently to avoid the continuous
cannonade of the Federal gunboats.
This was the report sent to Vera
Cruz by Rear Admiral Fletcher, COM
mander of the America nwar vessels
in the Gulf of Mexico. The distance to
which the rebels had withdrawn was
not stated.
Military men regard it as probable
that the rebels discontinued firing on
the outskirts of Tampico pending the
arrival of artillery from Victoria.
The Mexican gunbost Progreso re-
ceived orders to hurry to Tampico
with reinforcements for the garrison
at that place.
Unofficial messages corroborate the
governments report Of the rebel de-
feat at Tampico as a result Of a heavy
and sustained bombardment by two
Federal gunboats and Federal field ar
tillery. The dispatches do not bear
out the government claim that the re-
pulse was a rout.
In possession Of the railroad yards
throughout the battle, the rebels,
when they retired, remained sufficient
" cool in the face OF the furious fire
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 advices. which add
that the buzzards which inhabit the
Mexican coast and which for genera
tions have been protected by law, how
cred over the battlefield in numbers
so great as to present the appearance
of low-hying black clouds.
According to the Federal report 800
rebels were killed before they could
get out Of range, and this would mean
many other hundreds wounded and
possibly left on the field.
It 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 num-
bers, although the long battle has ma
terially cut down their supply of am
munition. This may delay operations
for a time.
Reports do not indicate that the
property loss was large.
The transfer of American refugees to
the battleships while the fighting was
at its height was attended with CON
siderable difficulty. 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
Cecile. The British admiral, Sir Chris
topher Cradock, took up his tempor-
airy headquarters on a merchant yes
sci at the dock.
The Mexican gunbOat Bravo was at
the bend o tie river below the city,
firing westward over the town. The
rebel general, Candido Aguilar, cross
ed below the Bravo from Tuxpan with
1000 men and heavy guns. He con-
trolled the mouth of the river and at
tackled the Bravo rom 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 off La Barra, FIVE 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.