Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-05-01
VERA HANDS
Of THE AMERICANS
TWELVE AMERICANS KILLED AND
FIFTY WOUNDED IN BATTLE
LASTING TWO DAYS.
NONCOMBATANTS ARE SAFE
Workmanship Of American Gunners
Perfect-MeSicans Shoot From
Windows and Housetops-20o
Mesicans Reported Killed.

Vera Cruz, Mex.co.-Vera Cruz Is
In the hands of the forces from the
United States warships, but the occu-
patton of the port was not accom-
plished without loss Of American lives
Twelve Americans, blu%ejackets and
marines, were killed by the fire Of The
Mexican soldiers, and so fell wounded
The Mexican loss is not known, but 1t
Is believed to have been heavy.
The water front, the customs house
and all important piers, including those
under the terminal works from which
extend the railroads to the capital,
have been occupied. All the territory
around the American consulate is
strongly patroIled, and detachments
hold other sections Of the city.
The Mexican commander, Gen. Gus
tavo Mas, offered a stubborn resist
ance 10 the American advance, ana
for many hours there was fighting IN
the streets. Toward nightfall 1t was
reported that the main body OF tle
Federal garrison was in retreat TO the
westward.
Roar Admiral Fletcher, commanding
the United States Warships, pre1aced
mis- occupation Of the port by a de-
mand. through the American consul.
w. w. Canada, for It's surrender. Gen.
Mas promptly declined to accede to
this demand, and shortly afterward
ten %whaleboats were sent off from the
side OF the transport Prairie loaded
with marines.
These boats effected a landing in
the neighborhood of the customs house
before noon, and a few minutes later
Capt. William II. Rush of the battle
ship Florida, who was in command OF
the operations ashore, brought his
flag In.
Capt. Rush's men already had taken
up their positions. They numbered
$50 %bluejackets from the Florida, 800
marines from the Prairie and 60 ma
rtnees from the Florida. Later these
were augmented by a detachment
from, the Utah.
The coming of the American forces
was not heralded by any great excite
ment, but small crowds gathered to
watch the landing. Soon the bluejack-
cts and marines marched through the
streets leading from the water front
and along the railroad yards. Others
proceeded to the American consulate,
while still others were deployed along
the approaches to Central Plaza, In
which Gen. Mas had concentrated his
men.
These maneuvers were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Gen
Mas challenged the advance with the
first shots-a volley fired from a poinI
three blocks from the marines ant
two blocks south of the main plaza
The marines replied Immediately. bu.
the action ceased a moment. There
was a lull for ten minutes, and thel
another brief exchange from the ives
end of Montesinos street, where
Federal outpost was stationed.
AT 1890 O'Clock the firing becam,
general, and at | o'clock the guns o
the transport Prairie went into az
ton.
Prior to this a detachment of hlut
Jackets from the Utah, holding tn
ground between the consulate and tn
water front. opened with two of the
three-inch guns. The first shots frol
these pieces were directed against I'll
ancient Benito .luarez tower, whic
once served as a lighthouse. Tn
was occupied by Mexican sharpshoo
ers. Lieutenant Commander Buc
anan of the Florida ordered that it |
destroyed. Five shots broughu Il
old tower down.
The postoffice, government tel
graph office and the cable office we
the first buildings occupied after b
customs house. A squad of marin
was placed in charge of the cable
fee. The telegraph wires were foul
intact, and enough Mexican operate
were retained to man the lines TO Me
ico City.
After Gen. Mas had been driv'
from his position to Central Plaza, {
Americans found themselves the G
sect of fusillades from the tops
houses. II was learned that most
those engaged in this resistance we
civilians. They stationed themselv
at points of vantage and did mu
to prolong the action.