Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1914 — FLETCHER’S OWN STORY OF FALL OF VERA CRUZ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FLETCHER’S OWN STORY OF FALL OF VERA CRUZ

Admiral’s Report Made Public by V the Department. . PRAISES WORK OF THE NAVY Declares That the ‘Efficiency and Spirit of Officers and Men Brought Speedy Conclusion—How Final Advance Was Made. Washington.—Rear Admiral Fletcher’s own story of the taking of Vera Cruz was made public by the navy department here. The report, dramatic despite its official tenor, covers the whole action from the receipt of Presi-; dent Wilson's cablegram early in the morning of April 21 ordering the seizure of the Vera Crus customs house to the complete pacification of the city. The report shows that the American naval forces had studied a plan of seizing Vera Cruz even before the order came from President Wilson. When the command came the landing of the marines and seamen and the occupation of the city followed swiftly and surely. Admiral Fletcher gives unstinted praise for the discipline and spirit pt the officers and men under him. Rear Admiral Fletcher's report follows: “When ' the cablegram of 8 a tn. .April 21 to seize the customs house was received the following officers were in my cabin: Capt W. R. Rush, V. S. N., pommandlng naval brigade; Capt H.

McL. P. Huse, U. S. N., chief of staff; Commander H. O. Stlcknqy, U. 8. N., commanding Prairie; Lieut. CoL W. C. Neville, U. 8. M. C., commanding marine regiment They had been called on board to be informed of the situation and to assure me that the plans previously prepared for the employment of the naval forces against Vera Crus were understood by y them, and that they were prepared to carry them out “The method of procedure adopted was to land marines from the Prairie, Florida and Utah, and the seaman battalion from the Florida, and to seize the custom house, railway terminal and. cable office. TJhe seaman battalion of the Utah was held on board awaiting news of the Yplranga. “At 10:30 a. m. the Prairie report ed, ‘Am ready,' and I directed Captain Rush to land his brigade and carry out orders. “The following signal was sent to the Prairie at 10:50 a. m.: ‘Land and take pier No. 4; be prepared to cover landing by necessary gunfire.' At 11:45 a. m. the Prairie signaled, ‘Battalion has shoved off.' The landing force of the Florida shoved off at the same time and was joined by the Panama contingent of marines from the Utah. This made a total force of 787 officers and men, of whom 502 were marines, all under the command of Cdpt William R. Rush, U. 8. N., captain of the Florida. “At 11:55 a. m. Rush signaled, ‘Telegraph and post office occupied and doing business as ever.* This was followed by: ‘Firing in town; ho casualties as yet,' and at 12:21 p. m.: ‘Commenced firing on shore; federate have commenced firing on U. 8. troops.* “Again at 12:30 p. m. Rush signaled, ‘One thousand men with machine guns reported in this vicinity; desultory firing at intervals; hurry Utah's troops. I signaled Utah: ‘Send your battalion ashore; urgent; you may steam in. closers* At 12:41 p. m. Rush reported his first casualties. • “Immediately on landing the marine regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Seville, advanced up Calio de Montesl-' nos, seizing the cable office and detaching one company to seize the power plant north of the terminal station and to cover approaches from the westward along the railroad tracks. The bead of the marine column had advanced to Avenue Bravo when, at 11:57, wese fired into from aQ directions.

“The nmnnea' Cott dhtomntic guns went into action at Independence, Cinco’de Mayo, Cortes, Hidalgo and Bravo, and cleared these streets immediately. The men took positions in front of warehouses, lining the north side of Montesinos and fired at the enemy, who had occupied the housetops, windows and towers on the opposite side of the street The marine regiment was then ordered not to advance, but to hold its original position. “In the meantime the Florida seaman battalion, under Lieutenant Wainwright had advanced and seized the customs house and customs warehouse, post office and railroad terminal. They were under steady fire from the enemy in houses in Benito Juarez and Morelos streets, which was returned. The artillery section of Florida went Into action in front of the American consulate and shelled the enemy out of the old lighthouse tower on Benito Juarez street When the first report of casualties was received the Solace was ordered from Tampico to Verp Cruz by radio. “At 1 p. m. I repaired aboard the Prairie with Captain Huse and Lieutenant Courts of my staff, and from this point directed Joint operations ashore and afloat. The Prairie opened fire at 1:10-p. m. with three-inch gun on the enemy’s mounted troops in the sandhills beyond the city. Indirect fire was used with a church tower as a point of aim, range 2,500 to 3,000 yards. The second shot fell among their troops and drove them .beyond the sandhills. “Sharpshooters in the naval school building and the new market had been firing steadily on pier No. 4, where all of our boats were landing. Chief Boatswain McCloy, in charge of three picket launches, armed with onepounder guns, put out from pier No. 4 and steamed full speed around the end of fiscal pier, directly toward the naval school building.

“When within a few hundred yards the launches opened fire simultaneously with one-pounders at the windows of the naval academy. They thus drew the fire of the Mexican forces along that section of the water front but located their position for the Prairie, which Immediately opened fire with three-inch battery over the heads of the launches, silencing the fire of the Mexicans in that section of the city. "The picket launches in their gallant dash were hit many times with rifle bullets and three times with onepounder shell from the naval academy. Chief Boatswain McCloy was wounded In the leg and one was fatally wounded. 1 "3 ,p. m.—l did not desire to force the fighting throagh the city and use the guns of the ships as long as there existed a reasonable chance to avoid this severe measure. Every effort was being made to get into communication with the Mexican authorities, both direct and through the American consul, and to represent to them the futility of further resistance on their part and the serious consequences that would ensue. “Any further advance at this time of the day would have brought the fighting into the most densely populated part of the city after nightfall. It was, therefore, decided to hold our present position. "Desultory firihg continued until midnight, with occasional shots throughout the night. "At 9 p. m. the San Francisco entered the harbor and anchored 300 yards north of the Prairie. It Immediately landed its battalion of two seaman companies, which reported to the brigade commander ashore. The Chester entered the harbor at 15:05 a. m., April 22, and anchored off Sanldad pier. Its battalion of seamen and marines was landed immediately. At 1 a. m. censorship was established over the cable station. “Rear Admiral Badger with five battleships of his fleet came td anchor in the outer harbor and with my chief of staff I repaired on board the flag-

- ■ 'y. -- V - . ■ ship at 2:45 a. m. After explaining the situation to the admiral, he decided to land his forces‘and the seaman and marine battalions of the Arkansas. New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and New Jersey, landed at 4 a. m., under cover* of darkness and promptly moved to their assigned positions joining the organization oh shore. "Early In the morning of April 22 efforts to get in communication with the authorities were renewed. By eight o’clock it was definitely ascertained that the firing of the enemy was not under organized control or acting under the direction of competent authority. “The marine forces advanced through all the streets to the north of Aveulda Independenela, where they were met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire from houses, hotels, hospital, church steeples and military barracks. They advanced slowly, clearing houses and roofs at snipbrs and entering every house in every block as they advanced. , - “The second seaman regiment under Captain Anderson, U. S. navy, was marched toward the waterfront and in front of the new market, naval school and artillery barracks. In crossing the open ground between the naval school and: Benito Juarez lighthouse, about three hundred and fifty yards in width, they were met by a heavy rifle, one-pounder and* machine gun fire from the naval school building. “This situation-looked'critical. The Chester, Prairie and San Francisco simultaneously opened fire with threeinch, 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 40 shots and the fire silenced. "Our forces advanced steadily through the city, entering houses from which they were being fired upon and disarming the occupants. The Chester, from a 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 11 a. m. our forces were in complete possession of all parts of the city and fighting had practically 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 support given them by the cruisers in the harbor reflect a great credit on the accuracy of fire of their gunners. “'FLETCHER.' “The Atlantic fleet under command of Rear Admiral Badger approached the harbor of Vera Cruz on the night, of April 21 at full speed, §ll ready to land, and came to anchor in the outer harbor several hours ahead- of the expected time. lam not allowed to commend my superior officer, but I think it 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. It is a great pleasure for me 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. “The work of the three vessels, Chester (Commander Moffett), Prairie (Commander Stickney), and San Francisco (Commander Harrison), in supporting our troops on shore was most effective and is deserving special praise. Initiative and clear judgment were required on the part of the commanding officers and the results showed in a striking manner the efficiency of the ships under their commands."

Rear Admiral Fletcher.