Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-08

cerned in the taking of the city of Vera Cruz than was generally sup posed or known until word received on van, son of MT and Mrs. Eugene F. Sullivan, of this city. coxswain on the L. S. s. New Hampshire. was in the thick of the fray. A short letter told in a modest way of the danger he was in when it is learned that one bullet struck the butt of his gun and another went through his knapsack. Not a few of the men from the New Hampshire were wounded.
 The Mexican Herald of Vera Cruz. under date of April 2y. tells Of the capture of the city as follows:
 The regiment composed or eatta- lions of infantry from the pattie- ships New Hampshire, South Caro- lima, Vermont, and New Jersey, and a battalion Of artillery, under the command of Captain Edwin A. Ander- son, U. S. navy, as regimental com mander. and of Lieut.. Commander R. 2. Johnston. U. s. navy. as ad1utani' was landed at 4 o'clock in the morn ing of April 2. 1914, immediately upon arrival in the harbor. The regiment was formed in the open field near the Tsrmilel Cocks where it rested untn daylight.
 AS only the custom nOuSS aiO HI mediate vicinity was then in control of the U. S. forces, the second naval regiment was directed by the brigade commander. and Admiral Fletcher, to march to the southward Of the city and take possession of the Naval Academy, the artillery and infantry barracks, which was in possession Of the Mexican forces.
 At eight o'clock the regiment start ed on the march to the Naval Acad- emy and the artillery barracks which is adjacent. Captain Anderson and stan and the New Hampshire bat Ialion led this attack. The Naval Academy and barracks are huge stone structures with walls about foot thick Machine guns were mounted tioned on the roofs, at the windows and in the stone buildings on both sides of the street.
 Under Heavy Fire.
 As the regimental staff and the New Hampshire battalion turned the cor ner of the street a terrific fire was opened on them from every angle, and it was only due to the poor marks manship of the Mexieans that the staff and battalion were not moved down. The New Hampshire battalion return ed the fire, dropping prone on the pavement and taking shelter behind the facades of buildings. Under cover of the New Hampshire's fire the other battalions of the regiment retired to an open field, and deployed as skir- mishers. firing at the windows of the buildings nearest them
 The U. s. S.. Chester anchored close ashore opened fire on the Naval Acad- emy and other buildings. To avoid the danger of shells from the Chester falling among the regiment, the New Hampshire battalion was directed to TxyIff fat7v- n Inc GA1A yfv,<r their dead and wounded this battalion retired to the field near the Light House tower
 At this time the artillery of the Second regiment under tbs command of Lieutenant Grady was brought into action and opened with shrapnel on the stone building. These shells ex- ploded upon striking the stone, kill ing nearly everyone inside the build ings. The regiment was assembled near the Light House tower, and the dead and wounded attended to while the artillery kept up the Lombard ment.
 Signal Station Established.
 At 12.1o o'clock in the afternoon, the Second regiment signal corps un- der Lieutenant McNair established a station in the light house and com municated with all the ships in the harbor. Through this station was SCitt thc S4Sftdt lO tH6 SIESLoT to hold the Mexican steamer Goherna- dor as she had fired on the rear of the Second regiments men.
 As Liutenant Johnson of the New Hampshire and two men from his company bringing a wounded man from the field fire was opened on them from three buildings near the water front one of which was flying the Grecian flag. A shot from this house wounded Lieutenant Lanno who was assembling his battalion. Artil- lery and rife fire was directed at these houses and they were silenced by a company sent to capture the occu- pants, one of whom possessed consul ar papers. Rifles and ammunition were seized, and the inhabitants made prisoners.
 The steamship Haaff anchored in the inner breakwater, near the light touSe began a sharp rifle fire upon the regiment drawn up at the water front.
 There was constant fire upon the dir ferent batta1ions from the roof tops as they advanced on this duty. Near the Cia. Dablado sharp fire was di- rected at the advancing battalion by troops, killing two men and wound ing six.
 The artillery battery in charge of Ensign Hammers of the South Carolina was brought to the front of the bat talion and fired upon the shipers silenefng them. Ensign Lee. of the New Hampshire battalion wso is a member of the Navy Rifle team, shot several snipers dead in their tracks as they fired from around the corners of build . ings. Wherever firing occurred from buildings the building was fired upon. then charged, and searched Prisoners with arms and ammunition were ar rested.
 infantry Barracks Taken,
 The regiment reassembled at the Avenida Libertad and captured the Infantry barracks and the residence of General Maas. former military com nlander of the port. Several tons of ammunition and war accoutrement uing westward to the railroad track at the edge of the city the entire district was overhauled. Returning to the h. fantry barracks the regiment rested until five D. m. when orders were re- eeived to advance to the outskirts of tracks near the American Oil company
 It hs d been reported that General Macs, who had retreated from the city with his troops upon the landing of the F..S. forces had reinforced and was preparing to attempt the retaking ot Vera Cruz.
 A guard of a section of artillery and
 ne company of infantry, in command
 f lieutenant E1yson, regimental ordi
 etace officer was left at the military
 tracks, while the battalions of tho
 iith Carolina and artillery advanced