Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-04-30
STORY OF the CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ
Description Of Battle That Resulted in Capture Of
First Mexican Port.

reaching them through q is-foot stone
wall.
Captain stickney of the Prairie went
through the fortress several days ago
and found some heavy guns. fve tor
pedoes and n torpedo tube In q CORFU
gatediron shed outside the wall Of
the fortress. When the landing of tho
Americans was ordered Captain Stick
ney sent word TO the commandant Of
San Juan de uluA that he would blow
him TO pieces with the Prairie's guns
II he opened nre against the Ameri-
cans. but that otherwise be would not
be disturbed. The commandant re
piled that be would answer with his
eannons II fred on. but that he would
not commence hostiiities When the
engagement ashore began the com
mandant hoisted a brilliant new Mex
lean nas. which Gee all day long.
Americans In Possession.
AT ten O'Clock Wednesday morning
the Americans were In undisputed
possession of all the city except the
southwest quarter. In which the bar
racks are situated. and q few outlying
districts At noon they had taken the
barracks When tho city prison.
which faces the main plaza Of the
city. was captured. Lieutenant Com
mander buchanan Of the Florida made
an inspection tour through H.
There was great surprise among the
Mexicans Who had gathered there that
the prisoners were not released TheT
had been accustomed to seeing the
victor always release prisoners and
then impress them into his army.
Chief OF Police Antonio villa vicen-
clio vas taken prisoner by the Ameri-
cans shortly after they had occupied
the main piasa OF the city. II vas
suggested to him that he continue In
his ofieiai capacity to direct the eity's
protective system. He took the mat
ter under advisement
Had the frightened mayor made up
his mind to accede to Admiral Fetch
er's suggestion. which was made
through Consul Canada. the Mexicans
might have been spared the humilia-
ton Of being forced from their posi-
tions. and undoubtedly q number OF
lives would not have been sacriaced-
Coincident with the ordsrs for the
general advance Of the Americans. an
aged vhite-haired McxicAn. csrryins
the white nag OF truce. came down Z
| street from the center Of the city. Hs
| carried . letter TO the chief a police
he ouly authority ~ kops1 tn PuAa1
and Desired Cuasul c2nA1A - FeaA
os6 onan n1oAzao AQQsal
II n vas - usuunt aDoenA ~ - -
l q psmns - enn = - on1Usss -
: prevent the bombardment he beiicv
| vousd follow q thsy conetnped ehs
szscutfon- Evss bsfors the ncsssags
| had climbed the stairs into TIE Co
sai's once. Captain Rush vas h
formed OF the contents OF the note b
bore and Immediately sounded -Ceas'
| firing and Halt"
But Il was too late. The action hat
been begun all along the line and II
was not considered wise to attempt
further measures TO stop IT. The com
manders ordered their men forward af
the double quick. which they carried
out with q vigor that afterward gave
them the city.
Blood-bespaftered sidewalks. broken
windows and bulletscarred walls gave
the plaza fearful aspect Within the
Diligencia hotel there were 40 Amerf-
cans. most OF. them women. who had
been there since the commencement
of hostilities. When the square was
taken they were Immediately notified
that they might go to other places II
they so desired. but that they prob
ably would incur no further danger by
remaining In the hotel.