Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1913 — ENSIGN BRENNER WRITES GOOD LETTER [ARTICLE]

ENSIGN BRENNER WRITES GOOD LETTER

Describes Battle Bteween Mexican Federals and Rebels—Now Hay_i____ing. Target Practice. Ensign James E. Brenner, in a private letter written while on board the U. S. S. Pittsburg, off the western coast of Mexico, says in part: “Well, we had it guessed correctly when we picked out first duty to be in Mexican waters. Had a hard time before they got us here, but after .being assigned to ar navy yard and four different ships we finally got to the Pittsburg and are well straightened out now. “The climate is tropical and we find It hard to work much during the heat of the day, which calls for considerable night work as the ship is getting ready for target practice the first of September, and being a ship just put in commission there is no end to work. I have been assigned to a gun division with 12 six-inch guns. This gives me six guns as there are only two' officers in the division and we will probably not get another before target practice. 'We have 110'men In the division and over half of them are recruits, but think that in six weeks time we will have them in very good shape. “Went ashore yesterday to take my walking test and Incidentally looked the town of Guaymas over. It is a typical Spanish town, except that nearly all of the merchants are Americans. It is a lively place, notwithstanding the fact that there is more or less fighting going on all of the time. The federal troops still hold the town, but are at the mercy of the rebels whenever they get ready to come in. They virtually took the town two weeks ago, but tlie federal troops entrenched themselves in a mountain pass back of the city after the retreat, and the rebels could not get to them as they have no field ar tillery or gunboats to storm the pass. They probably acted wisely by not occupying the'town, as the federals have two gunboats in the harbor which could easily destroy the town and since they could not capture the federal troops they had very little to gain. If the rebels could draw General Pedro’s troops out into an open fight it woudl probably end the revolution In this part of Mexico for a time, but Pedro seems to think too much of retreat to do much fighting. They had a slight skirmish just outside of the town at a village called En Palme yesterday. The rebels are holding this place and about fifty wounded federals were brought in. I could not find out how the engagement finally resulted. En Palme is composed mostly of Americans working in the Union Pacific shops, but these have nearly all left and formed a refuge camp on the beaclt under the protection of U. S. ships. \ “We leave here August 10th and will be relieved by the U, S. S. South Dakota and probably not have to come back here for at least 8 or 9 months. We go to San Francisco and then to San Diego for target practice. From there we understand unofficially that we go to Honolulu and then to China, Japan and Manila. “We found San Francisco a very lively place, but a mighty expensive one. If the present high cost of living maintains there during the Panama exposition, as it no doubt will, it will take a young fortune to take In the big events. The grounds for the exposition are all cleared now and most of the buildings aTe under way, which should insure completion In plenty of time. They are going into the advertising sidq to the limit and should draw immense crowds. “There is no mail service down here and I have not had any mail since I left home, which is about the worst part qf being here. This ship has been here since June sth this time and since last December with the exception of three weeks, and everybody is anxious to get north again. “Bray and Shine, who were at Rensselaer with me and who made the trip to San Francisco with me, are both here now and ask to be remembered to their friends.” Ensign Brenner’s letter was written on July 27th, and arrived here August 22nd, so the extent of the trip (an be realized.