Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-25

Butler:
Some Of the rebels escaped our
dragnet and beat it across the river
and gathered there in Fort Riviera,
on top OF the mountain. This fort
was the last stand. It had been built
by the French and had a fine forth
fication in It's days. It never had been
taken by an attacking force and no.
body thought it could be taken. The
old brick-and-stone building was 4,400
feet above sea level"
The protested interview said Minister
Bellegarde then added:
well, the general goes on an tells
how he took 20 men, climbed up the
wall, crawled through a drain pipe and
took the fort.
I'VE In Haiti have always wondered
about that. For there is no Fort
Riviera. There never was. We have
looked all over our island and there is
no such thing.
However, for taking Fort Riviera
he got the Congressional Medal of
Honor the second time He is the only
man in the United States to get 1t
Mariner!
Article in Marine Gazette.
The Marine Corps Gazette, semi
official publication, in an article in the
February number for this year publish
ed an account of the capture of Fort
Riviere.
Gen. Buffers citation for his second
medal Of honor follows:
ION November II, 1915, it was plan
ned to attack Fort Riviere, Haiti, with
force made up of attachments from the
5th, 18th, 23d companies and the Marine
detachments and sailors from the Con-
necticut. Fort Riviere was an old
French bastien fort, about 200 feet on
the side, with thick walls of brick and
stone. the walls being loop-holed. The
original entrance had been on the
northern side, but had been blocked,
small breech in the southern wall
being used in its stead. AS this breech
in the wall was the only entrance TO
the fort, it was naturally covered by
the defenders on the inside, making
passage through 1t into the fort most
hazardous undertaking for the leading
men. Notwithstanding the fact that the
fire Of the Cacos vas constantly pass
ing through this hole in the wall, Sergt.
ingly jumped through, closely followed
by Pvt. Samuel Gross Of the 23d Com
pany.
"A melee then ensued inside OF the
fort for about 10 minutes, the Cacos
fighting desperately with rifles, clubs,
stones, etc, during which several jumped
from the walls in an effort to escape,
but were shot by the automatic guns
of the 5th Company and by the 18th
Company advancing to the attack.
Two Entered Ahead Of Butler.
ut is urged that Mai. Smedley d.
Butler be given a medal of honor for
his conspicuous bravery during the as
sault on Fort Riviere. Two men en-
tered ahead of him, doing so to prevent
him from being the first. Theirs was
devotion to him, while his action was
devotion to duty. The assault inside
the fort was made by % men with the
knowledge that no quarter would be
given them"
Gen. Butler was given the Congress
sional Medal of Honor for distinguished
conduct in battle IN the engagement of
Vera Cruz. Mexico. on April %, 1914,
the record stating that he was eminent
and conspicuous in command OF his
battalion" and that he exhibited cour-
age and skill in leading his men through
the action of the twenty-second and IN
the final occupation of the city" This
was published in general order III on
December 4. 1915.
Marine Corps records show that on
September 6. 1920. Gen. Butler was
given the Haitian Medaille Militaire by
President Dartiguenave of that country.
The citation accompanying this decora-
ton follows:
Former Chief Of the Gendarmerie,
organizer of that corps. For the great
service he has rendered to this country,
in pacifying the north, particularly for
the capture of Fort Riviere, the last
stronghold of the Cacos."
Given Medal for Bravery.
From August 10, 1915, to August 81
major served on detached duty in the
republic of Haiti, participating in the
operations against hostile "CacoS' in
the northern part of that country. Navy
Department records show that for con-
spicuous bravery during the attack on
Fort Riyiere, Haiti, November II, 1915,
he was awarded a second medal of
honor. While on this duty he organized
the Haitian Constabulary and was APP
pointed commandment of that organiza-
ton by the President Of Haiti, upon
VI tlIC 1ACclNCliV u
United States, August 81, 1916.
Fort Riviere Is located directly south
of Cape Hatien, about 20 miles, and Is
situated near the town of Dondon.
An article written by Maj Thomas
Z. Thrasher, jr., now on duty at Guam
tico, Va, In the February number of
the Marine Corps Gazette describes the
taking of Fort Riviere. In this. he ex-
plains that Fort Riviere was built by
the French sometime before 1900, prob
ably by that part of Napoleon's army
commanded by Capt. Gen. LIE Clerc, who
married Pauline, Napoleon's sister, and
who maintained mis- headquarters in
Cap Francois. The major explains that
it is southeast of the citadel of La
Farriere and some 10 or IL miles fur
Their inland"
It was one Of chain of forts. he says,
so that communications could be trans
mitted readily through smoke signals
should an enemy approach by sea.
"On a clear day the small old fort
on the outskirts of the town of Grand
Riviere, about eight miles north of Fort
Riviere, may also be seen, but the peaks
of the Black Mountains, just east of
Fort Riviere, mask the view of Bahon,
five miles away" the article asserts.
GOV. ROOSEVELT SAW FORT.