Gilpin observer., 1914-04-30
BY A. e. JAMESON.

Vera Cruz, April 24.-The stars and
stripes wave over Vera Cruz, but only
after heavy loss o; life to the at
tacking force of American marines
and bluejackets and to the Mexicans
who defended the city.
A dozen Americans were killed and
from $50 to 500 Mexicans were shot
down while persistently resisting the
advance Of the United States forces.
More than two hundred Mexicans
were taken prisoners and lodged ON
board the protected cruiser San Fran
cisco.
Acting under orders from Rear Ad.
miral Badger, American sailors and
marines started early Thursday to
clean up the city and to capture or
drive out the 'snipers," or Mexican
sharpshooters, who have kept up an
intermittent fire upon the invaders
since landing forces first touched
Mexican soil on Tuesday
Detachments of Americans made an
organized search through all houses
flanking the streets. In some instances
the hidden Mexican irregulars gave
battle and hand-to-hand fighting in
the dirty. dark rooms of the adobe
buildings followed.
Throughout the night sentries
drawn from the ranks of the sailors
and marines paced through the streets:
keeping a keen outlook for bands of
prowlers. Most OF the electric-lighting
system had been destroyed by the
bombardment Of the Prairie and the
Chester and bonfires were lighted in
the parks and upon the water front.
Sentries Fire on Prowlers
Moving Through Shadows.
At times the powerful searchlights
of the American men Of war swept the
sand dunes north and south Of the city
or lighted brilliant path along the
harbor front. On shore the stiffness
was punctuated by the crack of rifle
fire. Sentinels who passed steadily to
and fro at times fired upon forms
which moved with suspicious stealth
through the shadows. The fire occa-
sionally was returned and from time
to time the scattering shots seemed to
resolve themselves into mild volleys.
Most of the 1000 sailors and ma
rines slept in the open. wrapped in
thick service blankets, for the nights
are chilly and a fog blew in from
the harbor. The bivouac of the Amer
lean army in the streets Of the par
TALLY blasted city made picturesque
scene.
The moonlight fiickered down upon
the sleeping forms and the stacked
arms.
Army Reorganizing Ten
Miles From Vera Cruz.
Rear Admirals Badger and Fletcher
received reports that General Gustavo
Mas. federal commander at Vera
Cruz, who fled at the approach of the
Americans, is trying to reorganize a
Mexican army near Terjeria, about
ten miles northwest of the city on the
railway line leading to Mexico City.
1t was said that Mas had called upon
Puebla Cordoba to send reinforce
ments and field guns.
These reports did not cause the
American naval authorities much anx-
iety, but they did have the effect of
increasing the watchfulness of the in
vading forces.
Double lines OF sentries were posted
along the railway terminals In the
western part of the city with orders to
report at once to the military authori-
ties at the United States consulate IL
they saw any large bodies Of Mexi-
cans.
Marines on Police Duty
to Prevent More Disorder.
American Consul w. w. Canada and
Rear-Admiral Badger Thursday pre-
pared proclamation of martial law
and sailors and marines will be used
for police duty throughout the city to
prevent disorder
The battleships Michigan, Louisiana
and Minnesota. the latest to arrive.
anchored in the inner harbor SO as
to make the landing Of additional sail
ors and marines easy.
Sailors detailed to mortuary duty
reported that the heaviest loss OF life
among the Mexicans occurred around
the naval academy and arsenal, which
were vigorously shelled by the Arkan-
sas late Wednesday.
This bombardment was brought
about by fierce attack upon Ameri-
cans by Mexicans who had taken ref
uge in those buildings. About 200
Mexicans barricaded themselves in the
naval academy and opened brisk rife
fire upon the American sailors and ma
rines massed in the market place.
Florida Drives Out
Mexican Sharpshooters.
The Americans took shelter and re-
turned the fire, but the academy
building offered such formidable pro-
lection that the American bullets were
Intellectual
Capt william Rush Of the Florida.
commanding the land forces, decided
that the Mexicans could only be dis