Darkest
Banned
The Second Mexican-American War
April 9th, 1914 – The Tampico Affair. Mexican soldiers make the poor choice of jailing nine sailors due to a language-related misunderstanding. It is sorted out, except for the fact that the Mexicans do not raise an American flag on their soil, and they do not give the Americans a requested 21-gun salute. US President Woodrow Wilson orders the Navy to prepare for the occupation of Veracruz.
April 14th, 1914 – Intelligence agents are unable to gather the information required to tip off Wilson on the fact that a weapons shipment from Germany was due for Veracruz, to aid President Victoriano Huerta in the Mexican Revolution.
April 18th, 1914 – Woodrow Wilson asks the US Congress for a land invasion of Veracruz. He waits until the Congress grants his request, instead of charging ahead of them.
April 21st, 1914 – It is a peaceful day in Veracruz. The weapons shipment comes in from Germany.
April 23rd, 1914; the Battle of Veracruz
9:00 a.m. – Forty-one (41) battleships of the US Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, begin a bombardment of Veracruz. General Gustavo Mass arms his men with new German weapons, and has enough left over to arm a small militia as well.
12:30 p.m. – American troops begin landing operations with 764 men. General Mass does not flee, as he is much more confident due to the circumstances with the German shipment. Commodore Manuel Azueta arms the cadets of the Naval Academy to bolster Mexican ranks.
3:15 p.m. – The USS Prairie begins to bombard the Naval Academy, which was being used as a headquarters for the makeshift cadet-army, weakening the forces holed up in the area.
American ground-pounders had a slower time in capturing critical communication points, such as telegraph offices, due to more Mexican fighting men and more weapons. This allows General Mass and Commodore Azueta to maximize their defense lines, making the Americans pay tooth and nail for each building they tried to take.
4:30 p.m. – Admiral Fletcher calls for a second landing group to be organized.
5:00 p.m. – A second force of American soldiers land in Veracruz, with approximately 900 men. Current American casualties are up at 169, with 42 dead and 127 wounded. Current Mexican casualties are at 244, with 107 killed and 137 wounded.
5:45 p.m. – General Gustavo Mass calls for a general retreat to prevent further blood shed. The American reinforcements are able to hold down current Mexican advantages. Commodore Azueta tells his cadets to hold, and allow for General Mass’ troops to retreat entirely. He also takes measures more seriously, setting to fire ammunition dumps where supplies are that cannot be carted out of the city, hindering the American advance, and causing a few fires to break out throughout the city.
6:00 p.m. – As it begins to darken, the Mexicans quickly regain their advantage. The Americans don’t know their way around the city, especially in the dark. Though there are a few noticeably large fires due to Azueta blowing up left-behind ammunition, the lack of light gives the battle back to the Mexicans.
6:55 p.m. – General Mass’ troops are mostly outside of Veracruz, by now, with a good amount of German arms still with them.
8:30 p.m. – The USS San Francisco and the USS Chester begin naval bombardments on the Naval Academy, which will continue through the night and into the next day.
10:00 p.m. – The central town square is finally taken by American troops, after a bloody urban battle in the dark. Lieutenant Jose Azueta, son of the de facto current leader of the defense of Veracruz, General Azueta, is operating a machine gun on top of a building, killing multiple soldiers, when three bullets rip through his chest and stomach. This enrages his father, causing him to remain in the city to coordinate further resistance.
11:50 p.m. – Just before the new day breaks, soldiers force the evacuation of the crumbling Naval Academy, which has been suffering a bombardment for nine hours by three ships.
The total casualties of the battle would come to an estimated 1026. The Americans had suffered 418 casualties, with 102 dead and 316 wounded. The Mexicans had taken a horrible 245 - 270 dead and 305 - 360 wounded. Pockets of resistance, coordinated by a hiding Commodore Azueta would continue until April 29th, and count for many more dead bodies. This long, bloody battle would be much more of a serious affair than it was in a timeline where Wilson attacked two days earlier.
April 24th - Admiral Fletcher takes control of the administration of the port-city. President Huerta makes a formal objection to the occupation, calling it an act of war. He makes no movements, yet, fearing further American might. He receives much needed weapons and supplies from the retreating army of General Gustavo Mass.
April 25th – Admiral Fletcher calls for a manhunt for Commodore Azueta, who is coordinating resistance. Soldiers are given liberties to search people’s homes, and take suspected person’s for questioning. This causes quite a few incidents and does nothing to make the Mexican citizens favor the American occupation.
April 27th – Tales of the carnage at Veracruz reach parts of the Villista army under Pancho Villa, creating conflict between the substantial American members and the Mexican majority.
April 29th – In the dark hours of early morning, soldiers break down a door into a restaurant, bust into the basement, and uncover a large cell of surviving cadets and Azueta himself. He is thrown into prison. The resistance will end soon after.
May 3rd – With a few extra weapons and men, President Huerta sends an army towards Tampico, which could nearly be called part of the rebel’s territory. They enter the outskirts of the city and quickly become involved in urban warfare. However, Huerta’s forces are veterans, with good weapons and supplies, and a decent commander.
American forces are in the city, attempting to protect U.S. citizens in the area and the U.S. oil firms. A few hours into what would be a long battle, Mexican soldiers came upon a hotel where an American party had been held, who had then barricaded the entrances so as to not get caught up in the battle. Struggling to get inside the building to find a defensible position, a few of Huerta’s soldiers are gunned down. The hostiles are removed by the remnant force, and the soldiers finally break the doors down, and find a group of Americans inside holding their hands up in surrender.
The lieutenant in charge of that group, who had just come out of Veracruz, had seen eleven of his men die by American hands. A further four had been killed outside because the Americans had barricaded their doors, and he still had the blood of one of the casualties’ on his uniform. So, somewhat disgruntled, the lieutenant rounded up the Americans, mostly men, and killed fifteen with a shot to the head. His men gritted their teeth, but they had seen such horrors as well. The rest were taken as prisoner.
Two of the American prisoners are able to escape. They make it back to an American-held area, where marines were keeping the Mexican Revolution out of what they believe is theirs. This tale, and a few other tragic accounts, spread throughout the American population of the city like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Heurta’s men had rushed through the city, and taken a large part of it from the Constitutionalist Army. When a vengeful American militia attacks from behind the lines, many Mexicans are killed. They return fire, and the militia flee. They later arrive at another point, killing more Mexican soldiers. This time, they are not so lucky, and suffer horribly when confronted with a machine gun. Huerta’s forces, who had ignored the American parts of the city due to soldiers standing watch, now decide that those parts had become hostile.
May 4th – Tampico is back in President Huerta’s hands, with a few areas of civilian resistance. Americans continue to be a hassle. Mexican soldiers take potshots at Americans guarding the precinct. The guards attempt to communicate to the American fleet in Veracruz, to no avail. Many Americans who live outside of the protected area attempt to return to their homes, only to find them ransacked, or to be imprisoned. Otherwise, Huerta makes no order to take American protected areas, and so no offensive is made.
May 5th – There is a gas explosion in the building that Venustiano Carranza had been sleeping in during the night. The house burns down, and Carranza doesn’t make it out alive. Some speculate that the Constitutionalist leader was assassinated, but the evidence disappeared in the fire. Shortly after his death is announced to the soldiers, they appeal to General Álvaro Obregón Salido as their new leader, who gladly takes the position. The transition, however, would not be so easy. While only a small minority seemed reluctant to bow down to the general, it would be enough to cause a flux in the Constitutionalist army for a few weeks.
President Woodrow Wilson receives word that the Americans in Tampico are being shot and imprisoned. He asks that the USS Arkansas, Florida, Utah and Delaware make their way to Tampico to protect citizens, while the others make themselves ready if another landing is necessary. Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo is ordered to preside over affairs.
In Tampico, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a large regiment of Mexican soldiers lead a voluntary attack on the defenses of the American-held area. There are forty deaths and many are wounded. However, Huerta’s soldiers are able to take a significant part of the area. Urban warfare continues sporadically for hours.
At 7:00 p.m. the battleships appear in the harbor. With news of the situation, a large American landing force arrives to defend the American zone. They quickly reclaim many areas.
May 6th – At 5:00 a.m., at first light, Admiral Mayo orders his marines to make a rescue attempt on the imprisoned American citizens. They suffer twenty dead, but are able to make a fast incursion that reaches large prison areas by 7:30 a.m. Eighty men are returned to safe areas. Henry Mayo orders for the Americans to evacuate the area.
President Huerta is alerted of this attack. He allows the presiding Mexican commander to engage in subterfuge in order to prevent Tampico from becoming the second Veracruz.
Mexican soldiers storm an oil refinery at 6:20 p.m. They dismantle a few tanks, and then toss an explosive in the building. There is a huge explosion and fires break out. The winds push the fires northward into American areas.
Meanwhile, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata learn of Obregon taking control of the Constitutionalists. They are unsure of what to think. However, Pancho Villa is glad that Carranza has died, as he never liked him. Zapata once again sends envoys to present the Plan de Ayala to the new leader.
President Wilson feels that war is inevitable and must come about to establish a stable government. He asks General Frederick N. Funston to command the American Expedition Force, and be placed to organize new troops to allow for an invasion of Mexico City. War is not officially declared, but Wilson prepares himself to ask the Congress for such. He does order for 25 battleships to leave Veracruz to occupy Tampico. He does not feel that he needs to ask Congress for such a movement.
May 7th – General Funston asks to expand the United States Army into a force of 50,000, instead of the current 27,000.
The Battle of Tampico
Twenty-nine (29) battleships are now outside of Tampico. American troops gather at defensive areas. At 8:00 a.m. the ships begin a naval bombardment of the city on the end opposite of the American area. Many of Huerta’s soldiers begin to retreat from the city.
Soldiers begin urban warfare at 9:30 a.m. marching towards prisons to free jailed American citizens. Some Mexicans shot their prisoners before leaving.
11:45 a.m. – Naval bombardment ceases to allow for further land invasion.
1:10 p.m. – American soldiers capture the center of the city, and move in on mopping up the remnants and guerilla resistance.
8:30 p.m. – Hostilities end within the city of Tampico. Huerta’s forces have retreated southward. Admiral Mayo takes control of the administration of the port and the surrounding area.
May 7th – President Victoriano Huerta learns of the occupation of Tampico. He calls for his soldiers to retreat to defensible positions. The American forces have not been split, and there remain only 12 battleships at Veracruz. Huerta orders his soldiers to prepare for an attack on the city. He knows that he doesn’t stand a chance of keeping such coastal areas due to the large American navy, but he intends to deal massive casualties and tap the port for supplies and weapons at least temporarily.
May 8th – Huerta cannot ignore the United States and their occupation of two important port-cities. He declares that America has raised rabble and that his military will not stand for it. He then ratifies a declaration of war against the United States of America.
Victoriano sends an envoy to the Constitutionalists, now just north of Tampico. His messenger asks for Obregon to join him in repelling the American invaders, who he believes are acting to absorb Mexico. The messenger hints that democratic elections would be held after the ordeal is over. Letters are also sent towards Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata to ask for similar favors.
May 9th – Obregon sends President Huerta’s envoy back, he is not interested. Constitutionalist armies meet in Tampico to rally American support against President Huerta.
The Second Battle of Veracruz
May 10th – A large force of Huerta’s men, a good majority of his standing army, begins an invasion of Veracruz in the very early morning, before the sun rises. Using a few guerilla tactics, the soldiers are able to receive civilian support before they enter the city. They manage to free Commodore Azueta and a good amount of arrested Mexican resistance very early on in the first hour of the battle. General Mass desires to move in, very fast, using surprise to capture and kill as many Americans as possible. Coaches and many horses are prepared outside of the occupation area to move supplies very quickly.
This doctrine works very well, and the Mexican soldiers flood through the city, capturing the town square by 6:30 a.m. By this time American soldiers have called for a returning attack, and begin to organize to repel their forces. Nearby battleships cannot begin any naval bombardment for fear of striking their own soldiers. They do begin to organize for massive reinforcements.
Mexican soldiers bring in a few machine guns into defensible positions, and hold nearly half of the city against further incursions. Supplies, weapons, and ammunitions are moved largely by civilian forces to the west, to be carted way by the prepared horses.
Commodore Azueta makes it outside of the city safely, and would later receive medals from Huerta himself.
The Americans begin a well-prepared counter-attack by 4:00 p.m. General Mass’ plan worked correctly: it would be a very bloody battle. Eighty-six (86) American troopers would die before they could break through the machine-gun defenses.
7:35 p.m. – The Americans push the Mexicans back to a fourth of the city of Veracruz.
8:20 p.m. – General Mass has moved his forces outside of the city, and begins to move west into more defensible positions, though the Americans do not give chase. The battle was a successful one. They were able to steal quite a few machine guns and a good amount of ammunition. Only 77 Mexican soldiers had fallen in battle, which causes General Gustavo Mass to feel that they had had the upper-hand in the battle by dealing more casualties. How many civilians would be killed due to aiding Huerta’s soldiers afterward, however, would nearly double this number.
9:30 p.m. – An official end of hostilities in Veracruz, it is once again under American occupation. A few loyalists continue a few acts of resistance, but generally there are only a few more casualties.
May 11th – After a meeting of the Congress, President Wilson ratifies a declaration of war against Mexico in return to Huerta’s. The Second Mexican-American War had begun. Ten battleships are sent from Tampico to Veracruz to aid in the occupation.
May 12th – Pancho Villa considers Huerta’s letter for only a moment. He uses it to blow his nose, and throws it away. Zapata would do around the same thing.
The Constitutionalists are in American favor, and aid soldiers in the occupation of Tampico. General Obregon is, however, remains uninformed of the idea of a march to Mexico City. The Americans do not want the Mexicans leaking their strategy.
And so it begins...
General Frederick Funston nears completion in design of general strategies for a direct attack against the Huerta administration with an overland march to Mexico City. President Huerta wonders whether he has a fighting chance and considers abandoning his post. President Wilson receives intelligence that the Germans are coordinating further weapons shipments to Mexico. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile wonder if there is any hope for the northern continent if they offered to mediate for peace. And for certain higher-ups in the German government, they realize that the coming conflict might be the perfect window to begin the long-awaited war...
April 9th, 1914 – The Tampico Affair. Mexican soldiers make the poor choice of jailing nine sailors due to a language-related misunderstanding. It is sorted out, except for the fact that the Mexicans do not raise an American flag on their soil, and they do not give the Americans a requested 21-gun salute. US President Woodrow Wilson orders the Navy to prepare for the occupation of Veracruz.
April 14th, 1914 – Intelligence agents are unable to gather the information required to tip off Wilson on the fact that a weapons shipment from Germany was due for Veracruz, to aid President Victoriano Huerta in the Mexican Revolution.
April 18th, 1914 – Woodrow Wilson asks the US Congress for a land invasion of Veracruz. He waits until the Congress grants his request, instead of charging ahead of them.
April 21st, 1914 – It is a peaceful day in Veracruz. The weapons shipment comes in from Germany.
April 23rd, 1914; the Battle of Veracruz
9:00 a.m. – Forty-one (41) battleships of the US Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, begin a bombardment of Veracruz. General Gustavo Mass arms his men with new German weapons, and has enough left over to arm a small militia as well.
12:30 p.m. – American troops begin landing operations with 764 men. General Mass does not flee, as he is much more confident due to the circumstances with the German shipment. Commodore Manuel Azueta arms the cadets of the Naval Academy to bolster Mexican ranks.
3:15 p.m. – The USS Prairie begins to bombard the Naval Academy, which was being used as a headquarters for the makeshift cadet-army, weakening the forces holed up in the area.
American ground-pounders had a slower time in capturing critical communication points, such as telegraph offices, due to more Mexican fighting men and more weapons. This allows General Mass and Commodore Azueta to maximize their defense lines, making the Americans pay tooth and nail for each building they tried to take.
4:30 p.m. – Admiral Fletcher calls for a second landing group to be organized.
5:00 p.m. – A second force of American soldiers land in Veracruz, with approximately 900 men. Current American casualties are up at 169, with 42 dead and 127 wounded. Current Mexican casualties are at 244, with 107 killed and 137 wounded.
5:45 p.m. – General Gustavo Mass calls for a general retreat to prevent further blood shed. The American reinforcements are able to hold down current Mexican advantages. Commodore Azueta tells his cadets to hold, and allow for General Mass’ troops to retreat entirely. He also takes measures more seriously, setting to fire ammunition dumps where supplies are that cannot be carted out of the city, hindering the American advance, and causing a few fires to break out throughout the city.
6:00 p.m. – As it begins to darken, the Mexicans quickly regain their advantage. The Americans don’t know their way around the city, especially in the dark. Though there are a few noticeably large fires due to Azueta blowing up left-behind ammunition, the lack of light gives the battle back to the Mexicans.
6:55 p.m. – General Mass’ troops are mostly outside of Veracruz, by now, with a good amount of German arms still with them.
8:30 p.m. – The USS San Francisco and the USS Chester begin naval bombardments on the Naval Academy, which will continue through the night and into the next day.
10:00 p.m. – The central town square is finally taken by American troops, after a bloody urban battle in the dark. Lieutenant Jose Azueta, son of the de facto current leader of the defense of Veracruz, General Azueta, is operating a machine gun on top of a building, killing multiple soldiers, when three bullets rip through his chest and stomach. This enrages his father, causing him to remain in the city to coordinate further resistance.
11:50 p.m. – Just before the new day breaks, soldiers force the evacuation of the crumbling Naval Academy, which has been suffering a bombardment for nine hours by three ships.
The total casualties of the battle would come to an estimated 1026. The Americans had suffered 418 casualties, with 102 dead and 316 wounded. The Mexicans had taken a horrible 245 - 270 dead and 305 - 360 wounded. Pockets of resistance, coordinated by a hiding Commodore Azueta would continue until April 29th, and count for many more dead bodies. This long, bloody battle would be much more of a serious affair than it was in a timeline where Wilson attacked two days earlier.
April 24th - Admiral Fletcher takes control of the administration of the port-city. President Huerta makes a formal objection to the occupation, calling it an act of war. He makes no movements, yet, fearing further American might. He receives much needed weapons and supplies from the retreating army of General Gustavo Mass.
April 25th – Admiral Fletcher calls for a manhunt for Commodore Azueta, who is coordinating resistance. Soldiers are given liberties to search people’s homes, and take suspected person’s for questioning. This causes quite a few incidents and does nothing to make the Mexican citizens favor the American occupation.
April 27th – Tales of the carnage at Veracruz reach parts of the Villista army under Pancho Villa, creating conflict between the substantial American members and the Mexican majority.
April 29th – In the dark hours of early morning, soldiers break down a door into a restaurant, bust into the basement, and uncover a large cell of surviving cadets and Azueta himself. He is thrown into prison. The resistance will end soon after.
May 3rd – With a few extra weapons and men, President Huerta sends an army towards Tampico, which could nearly be called part of the rebel’s territory. They enter the outskirts of the city and quickly become involved in urban warfare. However, Huerta’s forces are veterans, with good weapons and supplies, and a decent commander.
American forces are in the city, attempting to protect U.S. citizens in the area and the U.S. oil firms. A few hours into what would be a long battle, Mexican soldiers came upon a hotel where an American party had been held, who had then barricaded the entrances so as to not get caught up in the battle. Struggling to get inside the building to find a defensible position, a few of Huerta’s soldiers are gunned down. The hostiles are removed by the remnant force, and the soldiers finally break the doors down, and find a group of Americans inside holding their hands up in surrender.
The lieutenant in charge of that group, who had just come out of Veracruz, had seen eleven of his men die by American hands. A further four had been killed outside because the Americans had barricaded their doors, and he still had the blood of one of the casualties’ on his uniform. So, somewhat disgruntled, the lieutenant rounded up the Americans, mostly men, and killed fifteen with a shot to the head. His men gritted their teeth, but they had seen such horrors as well. The rest were taken as prisoner.
Two of the American prisoners are able to escape. They make it back to an American-held area, where marines were keeping the Mexican Revolution out of what they believe is theirs. This tale, and a few other tragic accounts, spread throughout the American population of the city like wildfire.
Meanwhile, Heurta’s men had rushed through the city, and taken a large part of it from the Constitutionalist Army. When a vengeful American militia attacks from behind the lines, many Mexicans are killed. They return fire, and the militia flee. They later arrive at another point, killing more Mexican soldiers. This time, they are not so lucky, and suffer horribly when confronted with a machine gun. Huerta’s forces, who had ignored the American parts of the city due to soldiers standing watch, now decide that those parts had become hostile.
May 4th – Tampico is back in President Huerta’s hands, with a few areas of civilian resistance. Americans continue to be a hassle. Mexican soldiers take potshots at Americans guarding the precinct. The guards attempt to communicate to the American fleet in Veracruz, to no avail. Many Americans who live outside of the protected area attempt to return to their homes, only to find them ransacked, or to be imprisoned. Otherwise, Huerta makes no order to take American protected areas, and so no offensive is made.
May 5th – There is a gas explosion in the building that Venustiano Carranza had been sleeping in during the night. The house burns down, and Carranza doesn’t make it out alive. Some speculate that the Constitutionalist leader was assassinated, but the evidence disappeared in the fire. Shortly after his death is announced to the soldiers, they appeal to General Álvaro Obregón Salido as their new leader, who gladly takes the position. The transition, however, would not be so easy. While only a small minority seemed reluctant to bow down to the general, it would be enough to cause a flux in the Constitutionalist army for a few weeks.
President Woodrow Wilson receives word that the Americans in Tampico are being shot and imprisoned. He asks that the USS Arkansas, Florida, Utah and Delaware make their way to Tampico to protect citizens, while the others make themselves ready if another landing is necessary. Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo is ordered to preside over affairs.
In Tampico, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a large regiment of Mexican soldiers lead a voluntary attack on the defenses of the American-held area. There are forty deaths and many are wounded. However, Huerta’s soldiers are able to take a significant part of the area. Urban warfare continues sporadically for hours.
At 7:00 p.m. the battleships appear in the harbor. With news of the situation, a large American landing force arrives to defend the American zone. They quickly reclaim many areas.
May 6th – At 5:00 a.m., at first light, Admiral Mayo orders his marines to make a rescue attempt on the imprisoned American citizens. They suffer twenty dead, but are able to make a fast incursion that reaches large prison areas by 7:30 a.m. Eighty men are returned to safe areas. Henry Mayo orders for the Americans to evacuate the area.
President Huerta is alerted of this attack. He allows the presiding Mexican commander to engage in subterfuge in order to prevent Tampico from becoming the second Veracruz.
Mexican soldiers storm an oil refinery at 6:20 p.m. They dismantle a few tanks, and then toss an explosive in the building. There is a huge explosion and fires break out. The winds push the fires northward into American areas.
Meanwhile, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata learn of Obregon taking control of the Constitutionalists. They are unsure of what to think. However, Pancho Villa is glad that Carranza has died, as he never liked him. Zapata once again sends envoys to present the Plan de Ayala to the new leader.
President Wilson feels that war is inevitable and must come about to establish a stable government. He asks General Frederick N. Funston to command the American Expedition Force, and be placed to organize new troops to allow for an invasion of Mexico City. War is not officially declared, but Wilson prepares himself to ask the Congress for such. He does order for 25 battleships to leave Veracruz to occupy Tampico. He does not feel that he needs to ask Congress for such a movement.
May 7th – General Funston asks to expand the United States Army into a force of 50,000, instead of the current 27,000.
The Battle of Tampico
Twenty-nine (29) battleships are now outside of Tampico. American troops gather at defensive areas. At 8:00 a.m. the ships begin a naval bombardment of the city on the end opposite of the American area. Many of Huerta’s soldiers begin to retreat from the city.
Soldiers begin urban warfare at 9:30 a.m. marching towards prisons to free jailed American citizens. Some Mexicans shot their prisoners before leaving.
11:45 a.m. – Naval bombardment ceases to allow for further land invasion.
1:10 p.m. – American soldiers capture the center of the city, and move in on mopping up the remnants and guerilla resistance.
8:30 p.m. – Hostilities end within the city of Tampico. Huerta’s forces have retreated southward. Admiral Mayo takes control of the administration of the port and the surrounding area.
May 7th – President Victoriano Huerta learns of the occupation of Tampico. He calls for his soldiers to retreat to defensible positions. The American forces have not been split, and there remain only 12 battleships at Veracruz. Huerta orders his soldiers to prepare for an attack on the city. He knows that he doesn’t stand a chance of keeping such coastal areas due to the large American navy, but he intends to deal massive casualties and tap the port for supplies and weapons at least temporarily.
May 8th – Huerta cannot ignore the United States and their occupation of two important port-cities. He declares that America has raised rabble and that his military will not stand for it. He then ratifies a declaration of war against the United States of America.
Victoriano sends an envoy to the Constitutionalists, now just north of Tampico. His messenger asks for Obregon to join him in repelling the American invaders, who he believes are acting to absorb Mexico. The messenger hints that democratic elections would be held after the ordeal is over. Letters are also sent towards Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata to ask for similar favors.
May 9th – Obregon sends President Huerta’s envoy back, he is not interested. Constitutionalist armies meet in Tampico to rally American support against President Huerta.
The Second Battle of Veracruz
May 10th – A large force of Huerta’s men, a good majority of his standing army, begins an invasion of Veracruz in the very early morning, before the sun rises. Using a few guerilla tactics, the soldiers are able to receive civilian support before they enter the city. They manage to free Commodore Azueta and a good amount of arrested Mexican resistance very early on in the first hour of the battle. General Mass desires to move in, very fast, using surprise to capture and kill as many Americans as possible. Coaches and many horses are prepared outside of the occupation area to move supplies very quickly.
This doctrine works very well, and the Mexican soldiers flood through the city, capturing the town square by 6:30 a.m. By this time American soldiers have called for a returning attack, and begin to organize to repel their forces. Nearby battleships cannot begin any naval bombardment for fear of striking their own soldiers. They do begin to organize for massive reinforcements.
Mexican soldiers bring in a few machine guns into defensible positions, and hold nearly half of the city against further incursions. Supplies, weapons, and ammunitions are moved largely by civilian forces to the west, to be carted way by the prepared horses.
Commodore Azueta makes it outside of the city safely, and would later receive medals from Huerta himself.
The Americans begin a well-prepared counter-attack by 4:00 p.m. General Mass’ plan worked correctly: it would be a very bloody battle. Eighty-six (86) American troopers would die before they could break through the machine-gun defenses.
7:35 p.m. – The Americans push the Mexicans back to a fourth of the city of Veracruz.
8:20 p.m. – General Mass has moved his forces outside of the city, and begins to move west into more defensible positions, though the Americans do not give chase. The battle was a successful one. They were able to steal quite a few machine guns and a good amount of ammunition. Only 77 Mexican soldiers had fallen in battle, which causes General Gustavo Mass to feel that they had had the upper-hand in the battle by dealing more casualties. How many civilians would be killed due to aiding Huerta’s soldiers afterward, however, would nearly double this number.
9:30 p.m. – An official end of hostilities in Veracruz, it is once again under American occupation. A few loyalists continue a few acts of resistance, but generally there are only a few more casualties.
May 11th – After a meeting of the Congress, President Wilson ratifies a declaration of war against Mexico in return to Huerta’s. The Second Mexican-American War had begun. Ten battleships are sent from Tampico to Veracruz to aid in the occupation.
May 12th – Pancho Villa considers Huerta’s letter for only a moment. He uses it to blow his nose, and throws it away. Zapata would do around the same thing.
The Constitutionalists are in American favor, and aid soldiers in the occupation of Tampico. General Obregon is, however, remains uninformed of the idea of a march to Mexico City. The Americans do not want the Mexicans leaking their strategy.
And so it begins...
General Frederick Funston nears completion in design of general strategies for a direct attack against the Huerta administration with an overland march to Mexico City. President Huerta wonders whether he has a fighting chance and considers abandoning his post. President Wilson receives intelligence that the Germans are coordinating further weapons shipments to Mexico. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile wonder if there is any hope for the northern continent if they offered to mediate for peace. And for certain higher-ups in the German government, they realize that the coming conflict might be the perfect window to begin the long-awaited war...
