Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07

heavy rifle and machine gun fire from
houses. hotels, hospital. church steeple'
and military barracks. They advanced
| slowly. clearing houses and roofs o.
snipers. and entering every house in ever!
: block as they advanced.
| The seaman forces advanced to tht
south along the water front. clearing and
protecting the left flank of the marines
as they advanced south. The advance OF
the seamen was opposed by continuous
and concealed rife fire, difficult to locate
| 1t came principally from Benito Juarez
Quartet in Plaza Constitution, the nava
academy, artillery barracks and from the
roofs and windows Of houses in this sec
ton of the city along the water front.
THE second seaman regiment, under
Capt. Anderson, United States Navy, was
marched toward the water front and IN
front of the new market, naval school ano
artillery barracks. In crossing the open
ground between the naval school and
Benito Juarez lighthouse. about $50 yards
In width, they were met by heavy rine'
one-pounder and machine gun fire from
the naval school building. This situation
looked critical. The Chester. Prairie ana
San Francisco simultaneously opened nre
with three-inch. four-inch and five-inch
batteries against the second story OF the
naval school building. In a short time
the upper story was riddled by forty
shots and the fire silenced
Take Complete Possession.
Our forces advanced steadily through
the city. entering houses from which they
were being fired upon and disa rming the
occupants. The Chester from favorable
position commanding the southern part
of the city shelled the enemy out of
houses along the water front. old Fort
Santiago, and from the vicinity Of the
military barracks. BY II am our
1A%1 - nn
parts of the city and fighting had prac
tically ceased
THE following signal was sent to the
cruisers Chester. Prairie, San Francisco
and to brigade headquarters on shore:
The division commander desires to
express his appreciation and admiration
for the splendid and efficient work Of
the naval brigade in their capture Of the
city of Vera Cruz and the efficient sup
port given them by the cruisers in the
accuracy OF fire of their gunners.
"'tSigned) FLETCHER
THE Atlantic fleet under command of
Rear Admiral Badger. approached the
harhor of Vera Cruz on the night Of the
21st at full speed. all ready - land, and
came to anchor in the outer harbor sew
eral hours ahead of the expected time.
am not allowed to commend my su-
perior officer.s but I 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
immediate compliance. and it is a great
pleasure for hue to record the thoroughly
fine and generous spirit that was shown
by him and his staff in their hearty
support of the work on shore.
Firing Is Si1enced.
The Prairie remained moored in the
inner harbor with steam up in a posi-
ton to cover the landing Of troops and
control the water front in vicinity of
the consulate between pier No. and
sanitary pier at the lighthouse. During
the afternoon of the 21st. the Prairie had
occasion to silence the firing coming
from the naval academy. the market
building nearby. from a barge along
side the custom house wharf and from
small frame house near Sanitary pier
This was done by a few well aimed
shots from the three-inch guns and
Colts automatic, which riddled the frame
structure.
At pm. the San Francisco was di-
rected by radio to enter the inner har-
Dor and was warned against rifle hre
from the breakwater at the entrance
and along shore. She came in at pm,
without pilot or the assistance Of navi-
gational lights. anchored near the
Prairie and shifted berth to the moor
ing assigned, receiving signal. Well
done
1.-The Chester arrived from Tampico
u midnight the Dist She entered harbor
with all lights screened and cleared for
action, with marines stationed along
deck for rifle fire. She promptly took up
mornings in assigned position of SAM
tary pier, and was signaled. wen
done
Firing Is Curtailed.
Both commanding officers reported
on board Prairie, received instructions
as to disposition Of our forces and gen