The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-05-01
STORY Of the CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ
Description Of Battle That Resulted in Capture OF
First Mexican Port

reaching them through 16foOt stone
wall.
Captain stickney Of the Prairie went
through the fortress several days ago
and found some heavy guns, five tor
pedoes and a torpedo tube In CORFU
gated-iron shed outside the wall OF
the fortress. When the landing Of the
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 Prairies guns
IL he opened fire against the Ameri-
cans, but that otherwise he would not
be disturbed. The commandment re-
plied that he would answer with his
cannons if fred on. but that he would
not commence hostilities. When the
engagement ashore began the COM
mandant hoisted brilliant new Mex
lean flag, which flew all day long.
Americans In Possession.
At ten o'clock Wednesday morning
the Americans were III undisputed
possession OF all the city except tho
southwest quarter, In which the bar
racks are situated, and few outlying
districts. At noon they had taken the
barracks. When the city prison.
which faces the main plaza OF the
city, was captured, Lieutenant Com
mander Buchanan OF the Florida made
an inspection tour through 1t.
There was great surprise among the
Mexicans who had gathered there that
the prisoners were not released. They
had been accustomed to seeing the
victor always release prisoners ana
then impress them into bis army.
Chief of Police Antonio Villa Vicen'
clio was taken prisoner by the Ameri-
cans shortly after they had occupied
the main plaza Of the city. 1t was
suggested to him that he continue IN
his official capacity to direct the citys
protective system. He took the mat
ter under Amusement
| 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 humiila-
ton of being forced from their posi-
tons, and undoubtedly number OK
lives would not have been sacrinced.
Coincident with the orders for the
general advance Of the Americans, an
aged white-haired Mexican, carrying
the white flag Of truce, came down a
. street from the center Of the city. He
: carried a letter to the chief OF police
3 the only authority he hoped to reach
and desired Consul Canada to read IT,
j. Old Man Makes Appeal.
l. It was an urgent appeal to the CHIEF
8 Of notice to call of the snipers ano
l. nreyent the bombardment he believed
would follow If they continued theil
execution. Even before the messenger
had climbed the stairs into the con
! sul's office, Captain Rush was IN
formed of the contents Of the note N
=, bore and Immediately sounded 'Ceas'
d firing" and Halt" =
~ But It was too late. The action nat
- been begun all along the line and !
- was not considered wise to attemp
~ further measures to stop 1t. The CON
- manders ordered their men forward q
the double quick. which they carrie
.e out with a vigor that afterward gav
- them the city. -.
W Blood.bespattered sidewalks. broke
% windows and bullet.scarred walls CAV
~ ~ the plaza fearful aspect. Within tn
- Diligencia hotel there were 40 Amer
~ cans, most Of them women, who ma
w been there since the commencemeI
u NC Of hostilities. When the square We
~ taken they were Immediately notif1e
A that they might 90 to other places
they so desired, but that they pro
ably would incur no further danger
lat remaining in the hotel.