The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-25

the United States warships, but the
occupation OF the port was not accom-.
plished without loss of American
lives.
Four American bluejackets and
marines were killed by the fire of the
Me>lcans and 20 fell wounded. The
Mexican loss is not known, but 1t is
oeiieved To have been heavy. The wa
ter front, the customs house and all
important piers. including those un-
der the terminal works. from which
extended the railroads to the capital
have been occupied. All the territory
around the American consulate Is
strongly patrolled and detachments
hold other sections of the city.
The Mexican commander, Gen. Gus
tav Mas. offered stubborn resist
anee to the American advance and for
many hours there was fighting in the
streets. Towards nightfall 1t was re-
ported that the main body of the fed
erai garrison was in retreat to the
westward.
Rear Admiral Fletcher. command
ing the United States warships. pre-
faced his occupation of the port by
a demand. through the American con-
sui. w. W. Canada, for its surrender.
Gen. Mas promptly declined to ac-
code TO this demand and shortly after
ward whaleboats were sent off from
tho side of the Prairie loaded with
marines.
These boats effected a landing in
the neigh, crhood OF the customs
house before noon and a few minutes
later Capt. VIM. II. Rush OF the bat
tleship Florida, who was In com
mand OF the operations ashore,
brought his flag In.
Capt. Rush's men already had
taken up their positions. They mum.
bered $50 bluejackets from the Flor
Ida. $50 marines from the Prairie and
IS marines from the Florida. Later
these were augmented by tetach.
ment from the Utah.
The coming of the American forces
was not heralded by any greet ex-
element, but small crowds gathered
TO watch the landing. Soon the blue.
jackets and marines marched sarough
the streets. leading from the water.
front and along the railroad yards.
Others proceeded to the btlerican
consulate. while still others 2.re de-
ployed along approaches TO ne CEN
trail plaza. in which Gen. Mnas had
concentrated his men.
These manoeuvres were effected
without opposition. but suddenly Gen.
Mas challenged the advance with tho
first shots-a volley fired from point
three blocks from the marines and
two blocks south OF the main plaza.
The marines replied Immediately, but
the action ceased in a moment. There
was lull for ten minutes and then
another brief exchange from the west
end OF Montesenos street, where "a
federal outpost was stationed.
At 1890 the firing became general
and at 1 O'Clock the guns Of the trans
port Prairie went into action.
Prior To this. a dotac chment of blue
jackets from tho Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
waterfront. opened with two OF their
thrce-inch guns. The first shots from
these pieces were directed against the
ancient Bcnito Juarez tower which
once served as lighthouse. This
was occupied by Mexican sharpshoot-
ers. Lieut.. Commander Buchanan of
the Florida ordered that it be de-
stroycd. Five shots brought, the old
tower down.
The women of the Amcri"an colony
In Vera Cruz had been placed aboard
the chartered steamers Espcranza and
Mexico. but the foreign colony. cspc-
cially the American. was greatly aug
mented this morning when three
trainloads arrived from the capital.
Somo OF these remained ashore. but
many we're taken aboard tn, steam
ers. So Tar as can be learned. no
refugees were injured
The demand for the surrender ot
Vera Cruz was made at o'clock i'm
tho morning. Consul Canada called
Gen. Gustavo Mas. commandant of
Vera Cruz. by telephone ~ present
ed the demand. saying tho, Unit
cd states forces were abou, % Oc-