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Show ADMIRAL FLETCHER PRAISES GALLANTRY OF HIS FIGHTERS VERA CRUZ. April 30. -An order was Issued by Rear Admiral Fletcher, who has been in command of the operations ashore since the landing of the American Ameri-can naval force, governing Ihe whole of thc events slpce the taking of tho clly. It follows: Headquarters of tho United States Navnl Forces on Shore. Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 30, 1014. DIVISION ORDER. The naval forces occupying the city of Vera Cruz will, at '1 p. m., April 30, 10M, withdraw and turn tho command of tho city over to the United States army. The navy landed at II o'clock a. m.. April 1, KM. From shortly after their lnnding our men were under un-der nn almost continual tiro until S-.30 o'clock on tho morning of the 22nd. At that time, when all organized authority in the city of Vera Cruz had ceased .to exist, the order waa given to advance through thc city, j Meet Stubborn Resistance. The brigade under thc command of Captain William R. Rush of the. United States navy had to light its way from street to street against a stubborn rlflo fire from housetops, windows, steeples and from places of concealment in all parts of the olty. At 11 o'clock a. in. the city was in possession of the brigade. The splendid advance of our men In the morning, after being under lire all night, was deserving of thc highest high-est praise, and the accurate gun rtre of the Chester, the Prairie and the San Francisco in tho harbor showed effective co-operation ashore and afloat. The praiseworthy conduct of our men in establishing and maintaining good order and restoring confidence among tho Inhabitants of the cltyr after the fighting reflects Ihe greatest great-est credit on the discipline and resourcefulness re-sourcefulness of the men of t lie navy and the marine corps. , In Complete Possession. Tii nine days' work tho city of Vera Cruz was occupied by thc navy, lawlessness law-lessness and disorder were suppressed. sup-pressed. 11,000 llrearms were taken possession of, and a line of defenses established around thc city against an army threatening to recapture it. JBuslness has been resumed and normal conditions restored. The municipal government of tho city has been re-establluhed under the control of Its people and a civil government formed to carry out the laws of the, suite and of tho federal government. AH preparations were made during this time, for the landing of the army and for the relief and withdrawal of our own forces. The officers nnd men of the naval forces deserve tho h!gh-esl h!gh-esl commendation fo- having done this work completely and having done il well. Thc highest honor Is due to those who gave their lives In the servico of the country. In withdrawing my command from Vera Cruz r wish to extend lo tho officers and men who took part in Its occupation my doepest apprecla- Hon of their gallant conduct and support. sup-port. In turning over our work to the army thc navy extends Its best wishes and good will. (Signed) FRANK F. FXi ETCHER, Rear Admiral. U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces on Shore. |