Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-04-23


Photo by American Press Association.
Rear Admiral Frank f. Fletcher
commands the important First division
Of the Atlantic fleet He has under
him the following first line battlesIips:
Florida, his flagship; Arkansas. Della
ware, Nor.h Dakota and Utah.
liring from house tops we are masters
Of the situation so far without the use
Of heavy guns. Firing all around the
consulate, several shots having struck
he building. Our men simply defend
ing themselves. Some resistance from
naval forces soon silenced by guns of
the Prairie. At this time reported
four men killed, twenty wounded.
American newspaper men and several
other Americans in the consulate Sew
oral Americans including some women
who refuse to go aboard refuge ship
row marooned in hotels within firing
line. Trains from Mexico City did not
arrive.
Attacked from House Tops.
Admiral Fletcher's orders were that
the landing forces should occupy posi-
tons commanding the streets leading
toward the central square of the town,
the Plaza de la Constitution and
make no attack on the Mexican troops
unless they were attacked themselves
Scarcely had the troops placed their
diers appeared on the house tops
overlooking the square.
Two shots rang out. Within a few
minutes three volleys came from
Mexican force several hundred yards
from the positions occupied by the
Americans. These volleys We're re-
piled to Immediately by the blue
Jackets and the firing became general
When Rear Admiral Fletcher was
Informed OF the attack on his men
he ordered the guns of the fleet to
open fire on the positions occupied by
the enemy
Captain VIM. Il. Rush of the Florida
located a large force OF NeXicans fir
ing on the United States troops from
the tower of the BenitO ,IuareZ light
house and ordered his men to open
fire on this point. Several three-inch
guns We're trained on the lighthouse
and the tower struck three times,
silencing the enemy's fire.
Captain Rush signalled to the trans
port Prairie on board of which was
Admiral Fletcher as follows:
Am being attacked from the right
and rear north of the round house;
she'll that district"
At the same time it was noticed
that sharp shooters lined the roof of
the Mexican naval academy and we're
shipping the blew Jackets. A three
inch gun of the Prairie was trained on
the academy and the soldiers were
forced to abandon their position.
U. S. Consulate Struck.
The shooting by this time had be
come general all over the city. At
5 O'Clock the United States consulate
had been struck by several bullets.
Two American blue Jackets and two
marines were killed and nearly a
score WOUNDED.
Under the heavy fire from the war
ships the MeXicans were driven from
the center of the city to the eastward
where they attempted to make a
stand. The Prairie which is lying in
the harbor about a quarter of a mile
f:om the harbor front, turned her
guns to the point where the Mexicans
were gathering and forced them to
take refuge in the narrow streets
tEereabouts.
At two O'Clock several boat loads Of
blue Jackets from the battleship Utah
were lanGed east of the custom house
rs the boats drew near the wharf sey.
cral VO.teyS were fired on them from
larse warehouses and box cars along
tho water trent. These places were
Sheoed by guns of the Prairie and the
blue jackets we're able 70 land with
out losing a man.
Among the Americans wounded are
two men Who we're operating on the
70 I of the Terminal hotel near the
water front.
Resistance DwinoIes
About : O'Clock the resistance Of the
MeAic@ns hesan to dwindIe apprecia
bly, Firing from the towers ana thg
house tops from which the heaviest
rain OF outlets came at tho beginning
OF The fGhtirE, died away The ma,
'!n"S and tlue Jackets made no at,
tempt to pursue the flying Mexicans.
Frmg oNy,Whenevre one OF the enc
my showed himself in the streets
On Trial for M,IpractfrA