The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-07

AT p. NJ. I repaired aboard the
Prairie with Captain Huse and Lieu
tenant Courts, Of my staff. and from
this point directed joint operations
ashore and anoat. The Prairie opened
fire at 1910 L. NJ. with three-inch
gun on the cnemy's mounted troops
In the sandhills beyond the city. In
direct fire was used. with n church
tower AZ point Of aim. range $500
to 1000 yards. The second shot fell
among their troops and drove them
beyond the sandhills.
"Sharshooters In tho Naval School
Building and the new market had been
firing steadily on Pier No. 4, where
all Of our boats were landing. Chief
Bontswnin McCloy, in charge OF three
picket launches armed with one
FOUNDER guns, put out from Pier No.
and steamed full speed around the
end of fiscal pier. directly toward the
Naval School building. When within
Il few hundred yeards. thc launches
opened fire simultaneously with one
Founders at the windows Of the Naval
Academy. They thus drew the fire OF
the Mexican forces, along that section
Of the waterfront. ana located their
positions for the Prairie. who irnmc-
diately opened fire with thrce-inch
battery over the heads Of the launches,
silcnciHs the fire Of the MeXicnns In
that section of the city. The picket
launches in their gallant dash were
hit many times with rifle bullets. and
three times with one FOUNDER shells
from the Naval Academy. Chief Boat
swain McCloy was wounded in the leg
and one was fatally wounded.
"rhe brigade signal station ON top
OF the Terminal Hotel was exposed to
the fire OF the Mexicans from all di-
rcctions The signal squad. under En-
sign Mcdonnell, remained Al their
posts during the twenty -four hours
lighting. and. though three Of the seven
siGnalmen were shot while wig-wae-
ging messages. communication between
brigade headquarters and the I'rairie
was never interrupted.
"3 u. MI did not desire u force
the lighting through the City. ana use
the guns Of the ships ag long as there
existed a reasonable chance 10 avoid
this severe measure. Evcry effort was
being made to get Into communication
with the Mexican authorities. both di-
rect ana through the American con
sui. and TO represent TO them the
futilty of further resistance on their
Part. ana the serious consequences that
would ensuc. My chief of staff, Cap
tain Iiuse. in conjunction with the
American consul. Nr. Canada, en-
deavored until > O'Clock TO get into
control. but their efforts We're unavail-
ing. ANY further advance at this time
of the day would have brought the
lighting into the most densely popu-
lated part Of the city after niEhtfali.
II was. therefore, decided to hold our
present position. and. In case of un-
foresecn contingencies the heavy ware
houses ON Pier 40 could be securely
held.
at =. NJ. an officer was again sent
to Fort san Iunn d'Ulloa to inform the
commanding officer that there must be
II" sign OF military movement in tho
fort during the night. and that no one
would tee allowed TO leave the fort.
The commanding officer agreed to this
arrangement. and promised 10 remain
neutral,
"A Mexican naval officer from the
naval station in Ulloa came OH board
the Prairie about 9 L. NJ. lie had
served in the Spanish navy and was
on board the Don Juan de Austria at
the battle OF Manila. He requested in
the name of the commandment that
about 900 navy-yard workinen and
sailors he allowed 10 leave the station
and join the forcee under General
Maas. Tho practical difficulty OF al
lowing this was pointed out TO him.
and lie WAS told TO inform the com
nandant that the matter would be
established in the city.
ENTRANCE OF IARnoR
Is SWEPT FOR MINES
The Florida was ordered TO sweep
the entrance of the harbor inside
breakwater for mines with wires re-
ported leading to tlloa. and before the
dragging was completed the san Fran
cisco and Chester entered the harbor
during the night. Investigation and
aeropiane observations subsequently,
proved that there were no mines I'm
the harbor.
AZ L. VI. the following radio was
sent to flag officer of the Arkansas:
"'W!ll hold pier No. ! for the night
Dcsultory street frng continues You
should be prepared 70 land infantry
battaiions and ARTILLERY Itnmediatcly on
arrival under cover Of darkness Cap
tain Huse or myself will repair on
board on your arrival - advise you OF
the situation
'tsigncdD rT.ETCHER
'Desultory firing continues until mid
night, with occasional shots through
ont the night. The dead and wounded
were sent aboard III. Prairie. and the
medical officers of the Carlos V. and
Essex came aboard and offered their
services. which were gratefully ac-
copied.
Reports were received that the
enemy were preparing to attack with
artillery during the night, and the
Utah and Florida anchored outside the
Dreakwater. were directed to be pre-
pared to Use turret guns and search
lights If ordered. The Prairie kept
searchliGhts trained on points along
| shore from which sniping had occurred
during the day.
AT p. NJ. the san Francisco en-
tered the harbor and anchored 500
Yards north of the Prairie. She immc-
diately landed her battalion of two sea
! men companies. which reported 10 the
brigade commander on shore The
Chester entered the harbor at 1905 \.
VI. April %. and anchored off Sandal
fier. Her battalion OF seamen and
marines wore landed Immediately. At
! \. NJ censorship was established over
The cable station.
SITUATION EXPLAINED
TO ADMIRAL BADGER
Lear Admiral Badger, with five
nattieships of his fleet. came TO anchor
IN the outer harbor. and with chief of
stan l repaired on board the nagsbip
at ?:i' y. NJ. After explaining the sit-
i