The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-04-29
FIRST BLOOD SHED
VERA CRUZ TAKEN
FOUR SAILORS KILLED
SCORE ARE WOUNDED
FIERCE RESISTANCE

AFEIRCE RESISTANCE
Stars and Stripes Now Float Over
the Principal Seaport Of Mexico
Huerta's Soldiers Fiercely Resis,
Occupation by American Forces
Shells from the Prarie's Guns and
American Marines Soon Capture
Eastern Edge of the City.-Huge
Shipment for Huerta Of Arms Ar
rived Making the Seizure Of Gus
toms House Necessary to Prevent
Their Delivery.
Vera Cruz Tuesday night was in the
hands Of forces from the United
States warships, but the occupation
of the port was not accomplished
without the loss Of American lives
Four American bluejackets and ma
rines we're killed by the fire Of the
Mexican soldiers, and 20 fell wound
ed. The Mexican loss is not known
but it is believed to have been heavy
The water front, the customs house
and all important piers, including
those under the terminal works in
which extend the railroads to the
Capital have been occupied. All the
territory around the American con-
sulate is strongly patrolled and de-
tachments hold others ections Of the
city.
The Mexican commander, Gen. Gus.
tavo Mass, offered stubborn resist
ance to the American advance, and
for many hours there was fighting in
the streets. Toward nightfall it was
reported that the main body Of the
Federal garrison was in retreat tc
the westward.
Demands Surrender.
Rear Admiral Fletcher, command
ing the United States warships, per-
faced his occupation Of the port BY
a demand, through the American con-
sus, W. ". Canada, for its surrender
General Mass promptly declined to
accede to this demand and shortly
afterwards ten whaleboats were sent
of from the side Of the transport
Prarie loaded with marines.
These boats effected landing in
the neighborhood Of the customs
house before noon and few minutes
later Capt. VIM. Rush, Of the battle
ship Florida, who was in command
of the operations ashore, brought his
flag il.
Capt. Rush's men already had tax
en- up their positions. They number
ed $50 bluejackets from the Florida
$50 marines from the Prarie and s.
marines from the Florida. Later
these were augmented by a detach'
ment from the Utah.
The coming of American forces was
not heralded by any great excitement
but small crowds gathered to watch
the landing. Soon the bluejackets
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 deployed along
the approaches to the central plaza, in
which Gen. Mass had concentrated his
men.
These manoeuvreS were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Gen
Mass challenged the advance with the
first Shots volley fred from a point
three blocks from the marines and
two blocks south Of the main plaza
The marines replied Immediately, but
the action ceased in moment.
There was a lull for ten minutes
and then another brief exchange from
the west end of Montesinos street
where Federal outpost was station
ed. At 1880 the firing became gen.
eral and at one o'clock the guns Of the
transport Prairie went into action.
Prior to this( detachment Of blue.
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and
the water front, opened with two ot
their three inch guns. The first shots
from these places were directed on
the ancient Benito Jaurez tower, that
once served as a lighthous. This was
occupied by Mexican sharpshooters
Lieut. Commander Buchanan, Of the
Florida, ordered that it be destroyed
Five shots brought the old tower tc
the ground.
The women of the American colony
in Vera Cruz had been placed aboard
the chartered steamers Esperanza anG
Mexico, but the foreign colony, espe
cially the American section, was
greatly augmented Tuesday morning
when three trainloads arrived from
the Capital. Some of these remained
ashore, but many were taken aboard
the steamers. So far as can be learn
ed no refugees were injured.