The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-04-24
First Gun Is Fired In Trouble With
Mexico
CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ
Mexican Guns Silenced by Vo,leys
From American Warships.

From American Warships.
Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 22.-The
first gun was fired in the war with
Mexico at 1905 Tuesday afternoon.
Marines and bluejackets from the
Utah, florida and Prairie seized the
custom house of Vera Cruz without
opposition. Leaving a guard at the
entrances to the custom house, the
American forces took up positions
commanding the streets leading to.
ward the central square Of the town,
the Plaza de la Constitution. Machine
guns and field guns were placed in
position to cover all the streets con-
verging on the square.
Admiral tletcher's orders were
that the landing forces should occupy
these positions and make no attack
On the Mexican troops unless they
we're attacked themselves.
Scarcely had the troops placed the
guns in position when Mexican sol
diers appeared on the housetops over
looking the square. Two shots rang
out Within few minutes three vol
leys came from Mexican force sew
eral hundred yards from the positions
occupied by the Americans. These
volleys were replied to Immediately
by the bluejackets and the firing be-
came general.
When Rear Admiral Fletcher was
informed of the attack on his men by
the Mexicans he ordered the guns of
the feet to open fire ON the positions
occupied by the Mexicans.
Captain William M. Rush of the
Florida located large force of Mex
leans firing on the United States
troops from the towers of the Benito
Juarez lighthouse and ordered his
men to open fire on this point. Sew
eral three.inch guns were trained on
the lighthouse and the tower was
| struck three times, silencing the
enemy's fire.
Captain Bush signalled to the trans
port Prairie, on board of which was
| Admiral Fletcher as follows: Am
being attacked from the right and
rear north of the round; shell that
district"
At the same time il was noticed
that sharpshooters lined the roof of
the Mexican Naval academy and were
sniping the bluejackets. A three-inch
gun of the Prairie was trained on the
academy and the soldiers were forced
to abandon their position.
The shooting by this time had be
come general all over the city. At 5
! o'clock the United States consulate
had been struck by several bullets.
! Two American bluejackets and two
marines were killed and nearly a
I score wounded. The dead are; Schu-
, maker, coXswain of the Florida; Poi
! sette, seaman of the Florida; Iag-
| gerty, private of the marines; an.
other private, name not given.
The name of the wounded so far as
is known are: C. J. Leahy, NJ
/ Schwartz, q. Cameron and j. f.
Please, of the Florida; Gisburne,
electrician of the Florida Davidson,
Drains and Mcmillan, privates of the
| Second regiment of marines from tho
| Prairie
Under the heavy firing warships
the Mexicans were driven from the
center of the city to the eastward,
where they attempted to make Il
sand. The Prairie turned her guns
to the point where the Mexicans
were gathering and forced them to
Iake refuge In the marrow streets
ihereabout,
American Exodus On.
Washington, April 30 - Secretary
of State Bryan admitted that gen
eral American exodus from Mexico is
on, He said that he had received u
wireless from Rear Admiral Fletcher
at Vera Cruz reporting that the
Americans are coming from the capi-
tai on special trains as fast as they
can be arranged for Fletcher has
been ordered to care for all Ameri-
cans.
Men Ind unt "a hammnr IN hapyn nOt