The Sentinel=record., 1914-04-22

without opposition, but suddenly Gen erai Maas challenged the advance with the first shOts-a volley fired l from a point three blocks from the marines and two blocks south of the main plaza. The marines replied inn mediately, but the action ceeased in moment There was a lull for ten minutes and then another brief eX- change from the west end of Monte sinos street, where a federal outpost was stationed
 At 12;30 the firing became general, and at 1 o'clock the guns of the Prairie went into action.
 Prior to this a detachment of blr~ jackets from the Utah. holding the ground between the consulate and the water front, opened with two of their three-inch guns. The first shots from these pieces were directed against the ancient Benito Juarez tower which once served as a lighthouse. This was occupied by Mexican sharp shooters. Lieutenant Commander Buchanan, of the Florida, ordered that it be destroyed Five shots brought the old tower down.
 The women of the American colony in Vera Cruz had been placed aboard the chartered steamers Esperanza and Mexico, but the foreign colony, especially the American section. was greatly augmented this morning when three trailloads arrived from the capital Some of these remained ashore but many were taken aboard learned no refugees were injured
 The postoffice government tele- graph office and the cable office were the first buildings occupied after the customs house A squad of marines was placed in charge of the cable office The telegraph wires were found intact and enough Mexican op- orators were retained to man the lines to Mexico City.
 After General Maas had been driven from his position in Central plaza the Americans found themselves the ob- feet of fusillades from housetops. It was learned only tonight that most of those engaged in this resistance were civilians They stationed them selves at points of vantage and did much to prolong the action.
 Lieutenant Colonel Wendell c. Neville commanded the marines from the Prairie and Majors Reid and Berkeley and Captains Hughes, Hill and Dyer along the lines have been reinforced by a detaciment which orieiually was in position beyond the terminal works.
 Towards the middle of the after noon a large body of MeXicans evacu- ated their position and are now some where in the sand hills back of the city. where it is reported from Mexi- can sources they are expected to be joined by endorsements sent down from the capital.
 This withdrawal, however, was not entirely premeditated. Those watch ing on the ships observed through their glasses a large force of MeXi- cans moving over the hills in the western outskirts of the city, appar- ently with the intention of flanking a battalion of marines in the railway yards and along Montesinos street which runs east and west not far from the American consulate.
 Immediately the five-inch guns of the Prairiebelched forth breaking | the Mexican formation and causing a nasty retreat. This ended the flank ing movement.
 Only a few minutes before the three-inch guns of the Prairie were used effectively near shore. small detachment of Mexicans had gained positions near the customs house and
 thair concealed marksmen were caus-
 ing some trouble A few shots from
 the Prairie's guns silenced them. From time to time the same guns played their shells along the line of
 the shore, keeping the territory com lrarativey free of sharpshooters.
 In the action about the customs
 house two blueiackets in a launch
 that carried a rapid-flrer were , wounded.