Evening star., 1914-06-08
Refugees Placed in Safety.

ication with the Mexican authorilleS TO
avoid needlessly prolonging the conf1ict-
Refugees Placed in Safety.
Lieut.. Fletcher was in charge OF the
Esperanza and succeeded in getting on
board more than $50 refugees. many OF
them after the conflict had commenced
This ship was under fire, being struck
more than thirty times. but he succeeded
in getting all the refugees placed IN
safety. Later he was placed in charge OF
the train conveying refugees under a nag
of truce. This was hazardous duty, as II
was believed the track was mined, ana
a small error in dealing with the Mexican
guard of soldiers might readily nave
caused a conflict, such a conflict at one
time being narrowly averted. 1t was
greatly due to his efforts in establish
ing friendly relations with the Mexican
officers that so many refugees succeeded
in reaching Vera Cruz from the interior.
I'm both days fighting at the head OF
their companies Capt. J. H. Hughes, I.
S NJ c.; Capt. W. n. Hill. L. S. NJ. G;
Capt E. T. Fryer. L. S. NJ. G.; Capt j. +.
Dyer U. S. NJ. c.; Ensign 7. S. Wllker-
son, u. S. N; Ensign G. NJ. Lowry. L. S.
n; Ensign o. c. Badger, L. s. n; En-
sign p w. Foster. L. S. N, were eminent
and conspicuous in their conduct, leading
their men with skill and COURAGE
Surg. NJ. S. Elliott, L. S n. brigade
the efficient establishment and operation
of the base hospital, and his cool 1udg-
ment and courage in supervising first aid
stations on the firing line and removing
the wounded.
Chief Boatswain John Mccoy, L. $.
n, led f1otilla of three picket
launches mounting one-pounders along
the sea front of Vera Cruz, in front OF
the Naval School and customhouse;
The launches drew the combined fire OF
the Mexicans in that vicinity. and thus
enabled the cruisers to shell them out
temporarily and save our men on shore.
The conduct of Chief Boatswain Nc
Cloy was eminent and conspicuous,
and, although shot through the thigh
during this fire, he remained at his
post as beachmaster for forty-eight
hours until sent to hospital snip
by the brigade surgeon.
Commanders Also Praised.
Attention is invited to the conduct
of Commander W. A. Moffett of the
Chester, Commander H o. Stickney Of
the Prairie and Commander w. K. Har-
rison of the San Francisco Commander
Stickney covered the landing on the
21st with the guns of the Prairie, and
throughout the attack and occupation
rendered important assistance to our
forces on shore with his three-lnch
battery. Commanders Moffett and Har-
harbor during the night of the 21st-
I'D without assistance of pilot or nav1-
CATION lights and were in position the
morning of the 22d to use their guns at
a critical time with telling effect in
the final advance of our men. The skill
of Commander Moffett in mooring his
ship at night was specially noticeable.
He placed her nearest to the enemy, and
did most of the firing and received
most of the hits.
"All the officers heretofore mentioned
were engaged in both days fighting. The
following are the names of those men
toned in the second days engagement
only: Maj. A. NJ. Catlin, U. S. M. c.:
Maj S. D. Butler, L. S. NJ. c.; Lieut..
Commander A. B. keating. L. S. N;
Lieut.. F.. V. McNair, L. S. N; Lieut.. j.
C. Townsend, L. S. N. Lieut.. A. Station,
u. S. n.
In command of their battalions they
and Lieut. Commander r. Z. Johnston.
L. S. N, regimental adjutant. were emil
nent and conspicuous in their conduct.
They exhibited courage and skill in lead
ing their men through the action of the
22d and in the final occupation of the
city.
Others Who Were Conspicuous.
During the second days fighting Lieut..
]. Grady, L. S. n. Lieut.. C. c. Hartigan,