Gilpin observer., 1914-04-23

sistance. and for many hours there
was fighting in the streets.
Towards nightfall it was reported
that the main body of the federal gar
rison was in retreat to the westward.
Rear Admiral Fletcher in command
of the United States war ships, pre-
faced his occupation of the port by a
demand through the American Consul
W. w. Canada for its surrender.
General Mas promptly declined to
accede to this demand-and shortly
afterwards ten whaleboats were sent
off from the side of the transport Prai-
rie, loaded with marines. These boats
effected landing in the neighborhood
of the customs house before noon, and
a few minutes later Captain William
H. Rush of the battleship Florida, who
was in command of the operations
ashore, brought his flag in.
Mexicans Open Attack on Marines.
Captain Rush's men had already
taken up their positions. They num-
bered $50 bluejackets from the Flor
ida, $50 marines from the Prairie, and
65 marines from the Florida. Later
these were augmented by a detach-
ment 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 blue
Jackets 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 de-
ployed along the approaches to Cen
eral Plaza in which General Mas had
concentrated his men.
These maneuvers were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Cen
eral Mas challenged the advance
with the first shots-as volley, fired
from point three blocks from the
marines and two blocks from 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 Montesinos street where
federal outpost was stationed.
At 1920 the firing became general
and at o'clock the guns of the Prai-
rie went into action.
Prior to this a detachment of blue
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
water front, opened fire with two OF
their three-inch guns. The first shots
from these pieces were directed
against an ancient tower which once
served as lighthouse This was oc-
cupied by Mexican sharpshooters.
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan of
the Florida ordered that it be de-
stroyed. Five shots brought the old
Benito Juarez tower down.
The women of the American COLONY
In Vera Cruz had already been placed
aboard the chartered steamers Esper-
anza and Mexico. but the foreign col.
ony, especially the American section.
was greatly augmented when three
trainloads arrived from the capital.
Some of these remained ashore, but
many were taken aboard the steamers.
So far as can be learned none of the
refugees was injured.
Principal Buildings Captured.
The postoffice, government, tele-
graph office and the cable office were
tho first buildings occupied after the
custom house. A squad Of marines
was placed in charge of the cable Of
flee. The telegraph wires were found
intact, and enough Mexican operators
were retained to man the lines to Mex
leo City.
After General Mas had been driven
from his position in Central Plaza the
Americans found themselves the OBJ
ject Of fusllades from the tops of
houses, where small groups of soldiers
and citizens had taken up positions.
II was learned that the greater part
OF those engaged in this resistance
were civilians, who refused to accept
the American occupation passively.
They obtained guns and stationed
themselves at points of vantage and
did much to prolong the action.
Lieut.. Col Wendell C. Neville, com
manded the marines from the Prairie,
and Majors Reid and Berkeley and
Captain Hrghes, Fill and Dyer along