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

You are cautioned against the pos
siblo use by the enemy of machine
guns and artillery.
"'(Signed) +. l.. FLETCHER
''At $3.50 A. NJ. Rush signalled:
Advance begun. Please shell mill
tary positions.
"'tSigned) RUSH.
THE marine forces advanced through
all streets to the north of Avonida
Independence. where they were met
with heavy rifle and machine gun fire
from houses. hotels. hospitals. church
steeples and military barracks. They
advanced misunderstanding houses and
roofs of snipers and entering every
house I'm every block as they advanced.
THE seaman forces advanced to the
south along the waterfront clearing
and protecting the left flank OF the
marines as they advanced south. The
advance OF the scamen was opposed By
a continuous and concealed rifle fire
difficult to locate. 1t came principally
from Benito Juarcz, Quartet in Plaza
constitution, the naval academy. ar
tillery barracks ana from the roofs
and windows of houses i'm this see
ton of the city along the waterfront
ADVANCING AMERICANS
MET ny HEAVY RIFLE: FIRE:
The second seaman regiment under
Captain Anderson. United States Navy
Was marched toward the waterfront
and in front of the new market, naval
school and artillery barracks. In cross
ing the open ground between the naval
school and Bcnito Juarcz Lighthouse
about $50 yards In width. they were
mot by Il heavy rifle one FOUNDER. and
machine gun fire from the naval schoo:
building. This situation looked criti-
cal The Chester. Prairie and Sar
Francisco simultaneously opened fire
with three-inch. four-inch ana ave inch
batteries against the second story of
the naval school building. In a short
lime the upper story was riddling ~
forty shots ana the fire siicnced.
our forces advanced steadily
through the city, entering houses from
which they were bling fired upon and
disarminE the occupants. The Chester
from favorable position commanding
tn" southern part of the city. shcllcd
The c1emy out Of houses along thu.
Waterfront. old Fort Santiago, and
from the vicinity Of the military bar
racks BY II y. NJ our forces were
in complete possession Of all parts of
the city and fighting had practically
ceased.
H' icIIcWlnE SiGn3t W;lE sent to
the cruiscis Chester. Prairie. San Fran
cisco and to brigade headquarters on
shore.
The division commander desires to
express his appreciation and adnIira
non Tor the splendid and efficient work
on the naval brigade in their. captur.
OF the city of Vera cruz and the eui-
c'cht support given them by the cruis-
.rs III the harbor reflect a great credit
h.
ners.
"'tSigncd) FLETCHER'
The Atlantic fleet. under command
OF Rear n miral Badger, approached
me haTbor Of Vera Cruz on the night
OF the 2lst at full spcad. all ready
20 iand. and came to anchor in the
outer harbor several hours ahcnd nf
the expected time. am not allowed
10 commend my superior officer. but
/ mink II only proper To say In this
!eport that Rear-Ad!niral Badger dur
;!t me naval operations on shore at
vera cruz afforded me the most PROMPT
ana willing assistance, and my slight
rs S request or reGommc ton or call
ior ala Was In all cases met with Inn
Heolatc compliance; and IL is a great
p..hsure lor me TO record the thor
0ushiy me and generous SPIRIT that
was SHOWN by him and his staff in
their hearty support Of the work on
shore. '''
WORK OF CRUISERS
IN CAPTURING CITY
Inc Prairie remained moorcd in
the Inner harbor. with steam up in
position 10 cover the landing of
troops and control the water front
IN vicinity OF the consulate between
Tier NO. / and Sanitary Pier at the
lighthouse. During the afternoon of
'he 2lSt the Prairie had occasion TO
Silence the firing coming from the
Naval Academy. the Market building
htar-nE. from barge alongside the
custom house wharf. and from a small
was done by few wcll-trained shots
from the 3-inch guns and a Colts
automatic. which riddled the frame
structure.
AT l.. NJ. the San Francisco was
directed by radio TO enter the inner
haroor and was warned against rifle
IRE from the brcakwater at the en-
trance and alonGshore. She came in
AZ L. NJ without pilot or the as
sistahce OF havigational lights, an
chorcd near the Prairie and shifted
berth 10 the moorings assigned. re-
ceivlns signal. Well done
The Chester arrived from Tampico
!" midnight. the 2lst. She entered
harbor with all lights screened and
cleared for action, with marines sta
TONED along deck for rihc fire. She
promptly took up moorngs in assign
ell position off Sanitary Pier and was
siSnalcd, Well done. Both command
ing officers reported on board Prairie.
OF our forces and general instructions
relative To gunfire from their ships.
III was not desired to cause any more
obstruction of property than was nee
eSsary to protect our men ashore and