The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-08

HE AGl Chester entered the harbor during the night Investigation and aeroplane ob- servations subsequently proved that there were no mines in the harbor.
 At TOO D. m. the following radio was sent to Flag Officer Arkansas:
 Twill hold pier No. for the night. De- sutory street firing continues. You should be prepared to land infantry bat tallions and artillery immediately on ar rival under cover of darkness. Captain Huse or myself will repair on board on your arrival to advise, you of the situa- tion. FLETCHER
 "Desultory firing continues until mid night with occasional shots throughout the night. The dead apd wounded were sent aboard the Prairie and the medical officers of the Charles V and Essex came aboard and offered their services which were gratefully accepted.
 Reports were received that the enemy were preparing to attack with artillery during the night and the Utah and Flor ida, anchored outside the breakwa ter, were directed to be prepared to use tur- ret guns and searchlights if ordered The Prairie kept searchlights trained on points along shore from which sniping had oc- cured during the day.
 At 9 D. m. the San Francisco entered the harbor and anchored 300 yards npth of the Prairie. She immediately landed her battalion of two seaman companies which reported to brigade commander on shore. The Chester entered the harbor at 12:05 a. m. April 9 and anchored off Sani- dad pier. Her battalion of seamen and marines were landed immediately. At l a. m. censorship was established over the ca ble station.
 Rear Admiral Badger, with five battle ships of his fleet, came to anchor in the outer harbor, and with Mir Chief of Staff I repaired on board the flagship at PAS a. m. After explaining the situation to the admiral. he declined to land his forces and the seamen and marine battalions of the Arkansas, New Hampshire, South Car olina, Michigan and New Jersey landed at a. m. under cover of darknes sand moved to their assigned positions joining the organization on shore
 The Final Advance
 Early in the morning of the 22d ef- forts to get in communication with the authorities were renewed. By o'clock 1t was definitely ascertained that the firing control or acting under the direction of authority. and the following instructions were issued:
 :" 'Brigadier Commander, T. s. Naval
 Forces Vera Cruz. Mex:
 " Subject: Readvancing and taking pos- session of the city of Vera Cruz.
 I. All efforts to get in touch with responsible authorities on short have failed and efforts have ben fruitless to have the authorities stop firing.
 " I am well informed that the regular troops have withdrawn and the people now firing are irresponsible people under no control or authority.
 '''3 You will advance in your discre- tion and suppress this desultory firing, taking possession of the city and restore order. respecting much IS possible the hotels and other places where foreigners are lodged.
 A. You are cautioned against the pos sible use by the enemy of machine guns and artillery.
 "F. F. FLETCHER.'
 "S:9O a. m. Rush signalled:
 "'Advance begun. Please shell military positions. RUSH.
 .The marine forces advanced through all 1eets to the north of Avenida Indepen- dencia, where they were met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire from houses, hotels, hospital, church steeples and mili tary barracks. They advanced slowly clearing houses and roofs of snipers and every house in every block as they advanced
 '"The seamen forces advanced to the south along the water front, clearing and protecting the left flank of the ma rines as they advanced south. The ad- vance of the seamen was opposed by continuous and concealed rifle fire diff cult to locate. It came principally from Benito Juarez, cuartel in Plaza Constitu- cion, the Naval academy, artillery bar racks and from the roofs and windows of houses in this section of the city along the water front.
 "The second seaman regiment, un der Captain Anderson, U. s. navy, was toward the waterfront and In front of the New Market, Naval school and artillery barracks In cross ing the open ground between the Ma val school and Benito Juarez light house, about $50 yards in width, they were met by a heavy rife. one-pound- er and machine gun fire from the Ma val school building. This situation looked critical. The Chester. Prairie and San Francisco simultaneously opened fire with three-inch, four-inch and five-inch batteries against the second story of the Naval school build ing. In a short time the upper story was riddled by 40 shots and the fire 
 "Our forces advanced steadily the city, entering houses from which they were being fired upon and disarining the occupants. The Chester. from a favorable position commanding the southern part of the city. shelled the enemy out of houses along the waterfront old Fort Santiago and from the vicinity of the military barracks. By Ii a. m. our forces were in com plete possession of all parts of the city and fighting had practically ceased.
 "The following signal was sent to the cruisers Chester. Prairie, San Fran cisco and to brigade headquarters on shore:
 ""rhe division commander desires to express his appreciation and admira- tion for the splendid and efficient work of the naval brigade in their capture of the city of Vera Cruz and the efficient support given them by the cruisers in the harbor reflect a great credit on the accuracy of fire of their gunners FLETCHER
 Badoer's Prompt Assistance
 "The Atlantic fleet, under command of Rear Admiral Badger, approached the harbor of Vera Cruz on the night of the 21st at full speed. all ready to land and came to anchor in the outer harhor several hours ahead of the ex- pected time l am not allowed to com mend my superior officers, but l think 1t only proper to say in this report that Rear Admiral Badger during the naval operations on shore at Vera Cruz afforded me the most prompt and willing assistance, and my slightest request or recommendation or call for aid was in all cases met with imme- diate compliance and it is great