The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-05-06
STORY OF The CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ
Description Of Battle That Resulted in Capture Of
First Mexican Port. ,

reaching them through a l6-foot stone
wall.
Captain Stickney OF. the Prairie went
through the fortress several days ago
and found some heavy guns, five tor
pedoes and a torpedo tube in a CORFU
gated-iron shed outside the wall Of
the fortress. When the landing Of the
Americans was ordered Captain Stick
ney sent word to the commandant Of
San Juan de Ulua that he would blow
him to pieces with the Prairie's guns
If he opened fire against the Ameri-
cans, but that otherwise he would not
be disturbed. The commandant re-
piled that he would answer with his
cannons If fired on, but that he would
not commence hestilities. When the
engagement ashore began the COM
mandant hoisted a brilliant new Mex.
car flag, which flew all day long.
Americans In Possession.
At ten o'clock Wednesday morning
the Americans were in undisputed
possession Of all the city except the
southwest quarter, in which the bar
racks are situated, and q few outlying
districts. At loon they had taken the
barracks. When the city prison,
which faces the main plaza Of the
city, was captured, Lieutenant Com
mander Buchanan Of the Florida made
an inspection tour through it. +
There was great surprise among the
Mexicans who had gathered there that
the prisoners were not released. They
had been accustomed to seeing the
victor always release prisoners n
then impress them into his army.
Chief Of Police Antonio Villa Vicen-
clio was taken prisoner by the Ameri-
cans shortly after they had occupied
the main plaza of the city. It was
suggested to him that he continue In
his official capacity to direct the city's
protective system. He took the mat
ter under advisement.
Had the frightened mayor made up
his mind to accede to Admiral Fetch
er's suggestion, watch was made
through Consul Canada, the Mexicans
might have been spared the humilia-
ton of being forced from their posi-
tons, and undoubtedly a number or
lives; would not have been sacrificed.
Coincident with the orders for the
general advance Of the Americans, an
aged w~hite-haired Mexican, carrying
the white flag Of truce, came down a
street from the center of the city. He
carried a letter to the chief Of police,
the only authority he hoped to reach,
and desired Consul Canada to read 1t.
Old Man Makes Appeal.
It was an urgent appeal to the chief
of police to call off the snipers and
prevent the bombardment he believed
would follow If they continued their
execution. Even before the messenger
had climbed the stairs into the con-
subs Office, Captain Rush was In
formed OF the contents Of the note he
bore and Immediately sounded Cease
firing" and Halt"
But it was too late. The action had
been begun all along the line and 1t
was not considered wise to attempt
further measures to stop 1t. The COM
manders ordered their men forward at
the double quick, which they carried
out with a vigor that afterward gave
them the city.
Blood-bespattered sidewalks, broken
windows and bullet-scarred walls gave
the plaza a fearful aspect. Within the
Diligencia hotel there were 40 Ameri-
cans, most Of them women, who had
been there since the commencement
Of hostilities. When the square was
taken they were Immediately notified
that they might go to other places II
they so desired, but that they prob.
ably would incur no further danger by
remaining in the hotel.