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XTZ\T ” ( THE MORNING NEWS. •»
A V UlJa J ■'.rftabllshed m - -incorpcrated 1883 > > x 6 GV
v/x a -J E3TIIJ4 Meaiuem. ) •'
MH fl Sill
Marines Fight Spaniards for
13 Hours.
FOUR OF OUR MEN FAIL
Advance Pickets of Americans Un
accounted for.
b- SPANISH LOSS MORE SEVERE
Our Dead a Surgeon, Sergeant and
Two Privates.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press.
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless, oft Guantanamo, Sunday,
June 12, via Mole St. Nicholas, Hayti,
June 12.—Lieut. Col. R. W. Huntington’s
battalion of marines, which landed from
the transport Panther on Friday and en
camped on the hill guarding the aband
oned cable station at the entrance to the
outer harbor of Guantanamo, has been en
gaged in beating off a bush attack by
Spanish guerillas and regulars since 3
o'clock Saturday afternoon.
The fighting was almost continuous for
thirteen hours until 6 o’clock this morn
ing, when reinforcements were landed
from the Marblehead.
Four of our men were killed and one
wounded.
The advance pickets under Lleute. Ne
ville and Shaw are unaccounted for.
Among the killed is Assistant Surgeon
k John Blair Gibbs, eon of Maj. Gibbs of
the regular army, who fell in the Custer
m tssacre. His home was at Richmond,
bitt b« had bfsen practicing in New
Me egi’ut'u 11*«.<uv
war began. He was a very popular officer.
The others killed are:
SERGEANT CHARLES H. SMITH of
Smallwood.
PRIVATE WILLIAM DUNPHY Os
Gloucester, Muse.
PRIVATE JAMES McCOLGAN of
Stoneham, Man.
CORPORAL GLASS was accidently
wounded in the head.
The Spanish loss Is unknown, but it was
probably considerable.
The splashes of blood found nt daylight
at the positions the Spaniards occupied
Indicated fatalities, but their comrades
carried off the killed and wounded.
The engagement began with desultory
firing at the pickets, a thousand yards in
land from the camp. Capt. Spicer’s com
pany was doing guard duty and was
driven In, Anally rallying on the camp and
repulsing the enemy at 5 o’clock.
The bodies of Private* McCoigan and
Dunphy were found, both shot in
bead.
The largvj cavities caused by the bullets,
which, Inside a range of Wt> yards have a
rotary motion, indicate that the victims
were killed at close range.
The bodies were stripped of cartridge
Nits and horribly mutilated with ma
,chetes.
When they were brought in the who*
formed three ebb's of n hollow
Square about the camp on the hilltop. Be- i
Miw In the bay were the warships at an
Oh or.
I inland from the hilltop is a deep ravine.
And beyond this are high hills. The ad
gfc Aaoent country la very heavy with a
tlbk-ket growth.
The sky w.M blanketed with clouds, and
when the sun set a g.tlc wai blowing ma.
ward. J.ight fell, thick and im;»enetrab)o.
The Spanish squads concealed in the
chitpi>aral cover iiud lhe »i.h nnfiigc, th*
Americana on the ridge 'furnishing fin*
targets against the sky and the white
tents.
The Spaniards fought from cover till
midnight, discoverable only by flashes, at
which the marines fired volleys. The re-
yeaiyes sounded like crackers In n barrel.
Marblehead launch, a Coh machine
I*’ b* l bon -I up the ,m> . u
' Wultne, The '- 1! ■ ‘C-.d I. 1 t.10i:.;. l
Ml /iime were killed.
marines n nv h bl.x>„ to the
rdge amt
HH ShAtks niv timwr.c.’ tn i i< vc.ni'y,
OSSi The ship* ltn.»W th’B iwarh ilg'-j
--" •
deep t r»,• .u . 1•1 • - • ■ ■ ■
?*'< RVea:<k»n.Uiy tkUiMti* pari •« of ■n.is
I* **' rraembkd a tiai>»f • . ■ ion
at the parlor **
y enemy was greeted
, y
Bkf ihc h >
fil'ii '■ ' i
y ' • 1
■■■Hr'T':'’’ "'' : t .
.'l.'-e that at po'ct- w.i<
n hnn.t-tc.-h n t qruxgle. The of
ficefg ur>< I th-.r revolvers.
r Three Spaniard* got through the open
formation to the edge of the camp. Col.
Jose Camrnna. the Cuban guide, discharg
ed his revolver, and they, turning and find
ing themeehre* without support, ran heder
ekelter down the reverse able of the hill.
Il was during this asaault that Assis
tant Surgeon Qiblw *«» killed.
He was shot ;<i the head In front of his
own tent, the farthest of attack.
He t« o into the arms of Private SulU
va* and both dropped. A aeeond bullet
threw dust in the.r (ace*.
skirgv* n Gibbs lived ten minute*, but did
' K sot regain .'ontciwuaiwaa.
The surgeons of the hospital corp* then
removed tbcT quarter* beyoud th*
B ■ h ’ '■ ■
aCTIjj|SM |IhhIiHOIQ
** G EoR Gl/C
” ’ 11 ' LI ‘ 1 -- " - _... .——■■■ . - ■ ,r. ■ ~ , ! - '
trenches, about the old Spanish stockade,
north of the camp.
The attacks were continued at intervals
throughout the rest of the night, with fir
ing from small squads in various direc
tions.
Toward morning the firing slackened.
Dawn is the favorite time for attack, and,
as the east paled, the marines, lying on
their guns, were aroused. Some were
actually asleep, as they had had no rest
for forty-eight hours and tired nature
could no longer stand the strain. But no
attack came.
Three now 12-pound field guns, which
could not be used during the night, for
fear of hitting our own men, shelled sev
eral squads of Spaniards after daylight.
They dove into the bushes like prairie
dogs into burrows as the shells broke
over them in the gray dawn.
As the correspondent of the Associated
Press talked with Maj. Cockrel, who was
in charge of the outposts, word came of
the finding of the body of Sergt. Smith.
He was reported as having been killed at
5 o'clock on the previous day, but it ap
pears that he had been seen alive at 10
o'clock in the evening. When and how he
was killed no one knows at this writing.
Neither had the men been mustered, nor
had the outposts of Lieuts. Neville and
Shaw been relieved.
Lieut. Col. Huntington and Maj. Cockrell
gave high praise to the nerve and steadi
ness of officers and men, especially the
young ones, as the engagement was a
baptism of fire for a large majority.
The men were in darkness and in a
strange land, but they stood to their poets
with courage and fortitude, and there was
no sypmtom of panic.
The marines, though exhausted, were
eager for more fighting, promising to in
flict heavy punishment. They compli
mented the daring of the Spaniards with
charcteristic camp profanity.
To-day the amplest precautions have
been taken, and, as the Dauntless was
leaving, reinforcements were landing from
the Marblehead.
A stormy time was expected.
Estimates vary as to the attacking force,
some say 200, and the figures run as high
as 1,000. ,
Col. Csmpina, the Cuban guide, said the
Spaniards were mostly irregulars, but the
reports of the discharge of Mauser rifles
would indicate that they were regulars, as
most ot the guerillas carry Remingtons.
The C*uban guerillas, as a rule, have
more dash and courage than the regulars.
Tlu» new campaign uniforms prove satis
factory, and are almost invisible at a dis
tance of 200 yards.
The Lee guns caused several accidents
In drawing cartridges. Corpl. Glass shat
tered his hand.
Despite the toss of the men, who are
keenly regretted, the marines rejoice that
they have been engaged in their first
fight) on Cuban soil. They sailed from
New York the day war was declared, and
expected to land within a week at Havana.
Since then, until they landed on the
shore of Guantanamo hay, they had been
cooped up on the Panther, and they had
begun to fear troops would beat
them after all.
' f JOilA -Mt MW ttbal.
The Dead fiur«e«ii> Vnmarried and
Lived Alone in New York.
New York, June 12.—John Blair Gibbs,
who is reported killed at Guantanamo,
was 40 year old, single, and lived alone.
At his late home in this city he is said
to have be4n a graduate of the University
of Virginia.
He lived and practiced medicine here
for about four years.
Two months ago he received the appoint
ment of acting assistant surgeon and was
ordered to Key West.
Since that time his friends in this city
have heard little from him, but supposed
nlm to be on the Panther.
His only known relative in this city is a
Mee. Roosevelt, but It is said that he has
a brother in Altoona, Pa.
LAUDED 8,000 AMERICANS.
Private Dispatch Reports Invasion
in Full Swtnic.
Copyright, 189 S, by the Associated Press.
Cape Haytien, June 12, 10:30 p. m.—Eight
thousand Americans, according to a pri
vate dispatch from Port au Prince, have
landed very near Santiago.
Th* United States auxiliary cruiser St.
Louis arrived at Mole St. Nicolas to-day.
NO OFFICIAL NEWS.
Snnipaon Hasn’t Yet Reported Flirht
at Gunntanauio.
Washington, Jure 13.—Up to 12:30 o’clock
rhle morning no news had reached the ot
ficiaJs here concerning the fight at Guan
tanamo.
The report that 8.000 American troops
had been landed near Santiago cannot be
condHned.
OCCUPATION A MASTER STROKE.
«M»
Failure to Resist l.audlng Omlnon.ly
SlanHlcnnt.
London, June 13, ti a. m.— The Paris cor
respondent of the Standard says: "Critic*
here regard the occupation of Guantanamo
harbor a« a maater stroke, and the fact
that 3.«M> Spanish allowed the landing, as
ominously significant.”
QUEEN REGENT LOSES COUR AGE.
W tahea to Shift the Hetrrncy to the
Infanta lanhetla.
London. June 11—The Madrid corre
spo’ident of the Daily News telegraphing
vta Bayonne, says: “Gen. Blancos last
dtapetch being less ssnguint the cabinet
council discuss' I whether It should be
published and <tec!<led on some verbal al
terations. Military precautions have
been taken at Madrid to quell disturbances
when the Inevitable happens,
’’Reports are again rife that the Queen
Regent wishes to shift tbe regency to the
Infanta Isabelle, and to let her accept the
American conditions.
”lt I* expected that Russia will protest
against the open alliance of Admiral Dewey
as a belligerent with Aquinahio, the insur
gent chief. 1 ’
GIRON REALIZES ITS ALL UP.
Idntlta Nothlnic Ah.*r< «f a Miracle
Can Pave Manila.
London. June 11—Senor Romero Giron,
the Spanish minister of colonies, accord
ing to a spoilt I dispatch fr Madrid, has
during a recent interview. e*.pr«*ecd the
opudon that noliiing short of a tulrack
<au saw Maui.a, a
GOOD BASE AT GUANTANAMO.
BATTLESHIPS COALING IN THE
SMOOTH WATERS OF THE BAY.
The American Fing Flying Afloat
anti Ashore—The Squadrons of Ad
miral Sampson and Commodore
Schley Still Off Santiago Guarding
Cervern—Sijanish Warships Seen
by Men Landed From tht; Fleet.
No Probability of Cervera Fight
ing;. »
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Wanda, off Santiago de
June 11, 4 p. m.,
via Kingston, Jam., June 12, noon.—
For three days the scene of the chief mili
tary and naval ©Derations has been Cat
manera and Guantanamo bay.
The American flag is flying on the shore
and in the harbor, first planted on Cuban
soil by United States marines from the
transport Panther, under Lieut. Col. R. W.
Huntington, covered by the guns of the
cruiser Marblehead, commanded by Lieut.
Commander McCalla, whose name is a syn
onym for activity and fighting.
The battleship Oregon has already coal
ed in the smooth waters of the harbor and
has sailed away. The battleship Texas is
coaling to-day, to be followed by other
shins.
The squadrons of Rear Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley are still off Santi
ago, maintaining a strict watch day and
night to prevent the possibility of the es
cape of Admiral Cervera.
From men who have landed to take ob
servations of tne harbor it is learned defi
nitely. all agreeing on the point, that the
Spanish cruisers and two tdrpedo boat des
troyers are there, but these vessels are re
garded by naval experts, after all, as "men
in buckram.”
As a high naval officer remarked to-day:
“Spain throughout her whole history has
never sought a naval fight and never will.
She has always dodged and is doging now.
Cervdra never intended to fight. He intend
ed to dodge and he has succeeded. Spain
will never send another fleet to these wa
ters during the present war.
Severe storms prevail in the channel be
tween Santiago de Cuba and Jamaica. The
press dispatch bouts have encountered
these storms for the last ten days, making
the voyages very difficult.
The heat adds to the discomfort, but a
daily service is maintained.
SAMPSON HAS FRENCH CABLE.
War Munitions Captured at Fisher
man’* Point.
Copyright, 1898, bv the Associated Press.
On Board the Associated Press DiFpatqh
•- > - A'*:- •*% "
-Saturday, Noon.-.By the Aswbciated Press
Dlspatch Boat Wanda, via Kingston, Ja
maica, June 12, 1:30 p. tn.—ln controlling
the outer harbor of Guantanamo, where
Lieut. Col. Huntington’s battalion of ma
rines landed on Friday, Read Admiral
Sampson secures possession of the Cuban
terminu* of the French cable to Hayti.
The apparatus in the office at the harbor
mouth was wrecked by a shell, but the
cable steamer Adria has instruments and
operators aboard and direct communica
tion with Washington will soon be estab
lished.
, The distance overland to Santiago
around the bay, Is about sixty miles, and
the roads have been rendered impassable
by the Cubans under Pedro Perez.
The first division of the Cuban army
claims to have 4,000 men, but these figures
nra probably over-estimated. The Cubans
believe that there are about 3,500 soldiers
in the Caimanera, which lies at the en
trance to the inner harbor. Guantanamo
city is inland about fifteen miles.
The two harbors are connected bj’ a nar
row channel with the dumbbell effect. It
is the otiter harbor which Admiral Samp
son now holds with the Marblehead, the
Yosemite and the Vixen and with a bat
talion of marines on the crest of a blunt
topped eminence commanding the entrance
on the western side.
In the inner harbor are two small Span
ish gunboats, and at Caimanera there is a
battery.
An expedition of three steam launches,
officered by Lieut. Norman, Ensign Eus
tic, son of James D. Eustlc, former United
States ambassador to France, and Cadet
G. Van Orden, under the genera) command
of Lieut. Anderson of the cruiser Marble
head. last night dragged for mines, but
found none.
Lieut. Anderson, who distinguished him
self at Cienfuegoa, pulled a dlng]y within
fifty yards of the fort without being dis
coverw).. He found the fort to consist of
masonry, with three guns mounted sea
ward.
Judging from the panic In which the
Spaniards fled from the village at Fisher
man’s Point, they will scatter at the first
approach. They left at Fisherman’s Point
three antiquated howitzers, several cases
of ammunition, shell and canister, some
Mauser rlfies and a regimental flag of the
Infantoria del T’rincipe, No. 3.
Every precaution has lieen taken to
guard the men from disease. All the huts
I in the locality have been razed, large
■ casks of Spanish wine have been smash
ed. two wells have been boarded up and
all the drinking water used in supplied
from the fleet. The camp will probably
be named Camp McCalla, after the com
mander of the who Is inde
fatigable, and has not removed his cloth
ing since the bombardment.
This morning the British steamer New
foundland of Montreal, wfih a general car
go. steamed into the harbor. Her com
mander was greatly surprised at the pres
ence of the Americans, but he retained
I enough composure to dip his flag three
times and then started to put about. A
•hot across Ms bows from the Marble
head stopped Mm and the’ vessel was
boapAed. her paper* showing that she was
bonnet for Jamaica. The captain explain
eel that "he had put in to see if he could
get a return cargo ot sugar. He was in
formed that he could not and was allowed
to proewd.
St RE TO CAPTURE SANTIAGO.
London Times Comments on Samp
son** Operations.
Tendon. June 13. « a. m.—Read Admiral
Sampson’s acquisition of a base’ far coal
ing and supplies at Guantanamo Is uni
versally recognized as practically sealing
the fate of Santiago, although it is be
lieved that th* Spanish troops will show a
good fight before the eliy Is captured.
The Times, in the course of an article
reviewing last week's operations, after re-
SAVANNAH, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1898.
marking that Guantanamo bay will serve
admirably as a coaling station and shel
tered harbor for the large American fleet,
thus playing the exact part assigned to it
by Admiral Vernon, in 1741, and the ma
rines being employed as an advance guard,
in accordance with numberless precedents
in the history of the British navy, says:
“The Spanish garrison, we think, does not
exceed 10,000 men, who have an immense
position to hold and are lacking in. sup
plies.
“Therefore, Gen. Shafter’s difficulties
will be mainly those of climate and move
ment, owing to the absence of good roads.
“On the other hand the difficulties of
communication Will prevent the dispatch
of re-inforcements from Havana and the
Santiago garrison will be left to its own
resources.
“Admiral Cervera’s proceedings have
proved that the Spanish ships find it im
possible to keep at sea, and, if it oe true
that the minister of marine has dismissed
the capable Scotch engineers in its ser
vice, the difficulty is fully accounted for.
“It is highly improbable that Admiral
Camara will attempt to cross the Atlantic,
but some fast American cruisers may ap
pear ere long in Spanish waters.
“In the reent actions in the Philippines
the insurgents seem to have fought with
the courage displayed by their forefathers
against Gen. Draper’s troops in 1762. In
view of Capt. Gen. Augustl’s dispatch the
surrender of Manila appears inevitable
within a fortnight.
“In Spain’s interest it is hoped that
when Manila and Santiago have fallen
she will recognize the necessity of bring
ing to an end a contest unequal from the
first, and rendered hopelessly so by her
total unpreparedness.”
The Times, commenting editorially on
the “arrival of a new stage In the develop
ment of the war,” says: “It is interesting
to, recall the fact that the last time the
American troops landed in Cuba, is 1762,
they were under British colors. The
American commander is not likely to put
unlimited faith in the assistance of Gomez.
Judging from past experience of the work
of the Spanish army against the insur
gents, the reduction of Sanitago will not
prove a formidable task. In any event we
shall soon know whether the Spanish army
can better vindicate the ancient fighting
reputation of the Spanish race than Ad
miral Cervera’s squadron has done it.”
The Daily Telegraph says editorially this
morning: “We learn fj-om an exception
ally well-informed source that communi
cations of a character w’hich lend them
*selves easily to official repudiation are
passing between Vienna, Paris, Berlin and
St. Petersburg on the question 90* inter
vention between Spain and Anae. .a.
“It is said that Emperor Francis Jo
seph has taken the initiative. Spain,
however, must face the situation square
ly. Cuba and Porto Rico will obtain in
dependence, and in ail probability the
United States will retain the Philippines
as security for the indemnity, which is
nor likely to be nMd for 1 \ a .» r3 ‘* ’
tar* morning deny It at Gera,any has any
intention of calling a conference as to the
Philippine*.
SPAIN IN LOW SPIRITS.
Unsines* Men Expect War to End In
a Month.
London, June 13.—The Madrid corre
spondent of the Daily Mall, telegraphing
Sunday, says:
“An extremely bad impression is current
to-night as to the outcome of events.
"Business men are inclined to the belief
that the war will be short, probably only
lasting another month.
“Military men hold the opposite view,
considering that Spain can put much reli
ance on the elements.
"At the cabinet council to-day, Duke Al
madovar de Rio, the foreign minister,
made a report as to his conferences with
the ambassadors of the Powers. It ts un
derstood that nothing definite has been
arrived at.
“Capt. Aunon, minister of marine, tele
graphs from Cadiz that the recruiting for
Admiral Camara’s squadron is being accel
erated.
“While the American landing in Cuba is
officially denied, the authorities assert that
even if it were true it would be unimpor
tant, as the Spanish army would give a
good account of itself. It is believed that
the question of the food supplies, so far as
the peninsula is concerned, is settled, at
least until October.”
BLANCO’S REPORT ON OUR FLEET.
Only a Cruiser and Two Gnnboat*
Before Havana.
Madrid, June 12, 4 p. m.—The following
dispatch has been received here from Cap
tain General Blanco: "One American
cruiser and two gunboats are before Ha
vana; two arc before Mariel; one at Car
denas; two at San Caisarlon; none at Ma
tanzas and Cienfuegoa, and fifteen Ameri
can men-of-war are off Santiago de Cuba.
We have no news from La Caimanera.”
A private dispatch received here from
Manila, dated June 8, represents the situ
ation there as being slightly improved. It
says: “In spite of the insurrection in the
province, th* capital te resolved upon re
sistance. The spirit of the people is ex
cellent. The defenses have been increased.
Three fresh battalions of volunteers have
been organized, the place is victualled for
two months, and the insurgents have not
ventured to make an attack.”
IDENTITY OF SHIP OFF CAPE RACE
Vessel Sappnsed to Be Spanish Is
British.
St. John’s N. F., June 12.—The warship
whose presence off Cape Race last week
| gave rise to so many startling reports,
i prove* to be the British gun boat Gulnare.
' She is engaged tn surveying some unmap
ped shoals on the edge of the Grand
Banks.
CABLE STILL CUT.
I.tne From Cslmensrs to Be tn
Working; Order Soon.
Cape Haytien. Hayti, June 12. 2 p. m
No war news has been received here to
day up to this hour.
It is probable that the repairs of the
I Caimcnara cable can be completed by
i Thursday or Friday.
It is understood that the vessels of tbe
| United States navy are rendering all the
assistance possible.
Other arrangements for the work are al
[ ready well under way.
SANTIAGO FORTS SILENCED.
GRAPHIC PEN PICTURE OF THE
BOMBARDMENT.
Shells From the Fleet Came In Such
a Storm and With So Much Accu
racy That Spanish Gunners Seem
to Have Lost Both Their Nerve and
Cunning—Not a Single One of Their
Drop Shots Struck a Ship.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 6, via King
ston, Jamaica, June 7, 11 a. m.—(Delayed
in transmission). —The Spanish water bat
teries defending Santiago de Cuba were
badly wrecked to-day by the American
fleet in a bombardment lasting from short
ly after 7 o’clock until some time after 10
o’clock this morning.
Orders for the attack were issued on
Sunday night. All the men were warn
ed to retire early and preparations were
made for breakfast at 5:30 a. m.
That the fire from the Spanish forts
would be severe was generally conceded,
but snatches of song and the strumming
of guitars and mandolins from the ships
gave anything but an impression of deadly
warfare early on the morrow.
The officers gathered on the quarter
decks and discussed the situation and the
possible effect of the shots. It was agreed
that the earthworks would be hard to de
stroy and that a great deal of ammunition
would be wasted, especially as the forts
were situated on high ground.
To the contrary, the fact that the ships
were not to move and were to stand in at
3,000 yards, made them a good target and
it was judged that the drop of shots from
the sorta would be disastrous in case of
hits.
The distance fought at made the sec
ondary batteries of rapid-fire guns useless,
and they were silenced.
The line of battle planned was the same
as in the movement of Saturday after
noon. The big battleships Texas, Massa
chusetts, Oregon and lowa moved in on
a straight line from the south.
The Brooklyn, Marblehead and Vixen
moved in a line on a slight angle, the
Vixen close in shore and the Brooklyn
next to the Texas, in the most dangerous
place on the line, because, both she and
the Texas faced up tho harbor, which
rounds northeast.
Op the other angle, to the -west, were
the New York, New Orleans and Yankee.
These faced the new earthwork battery
rrpositr Morro Castle, which the Brook-
K* — ’ A7Txu.the
Estrella battery, Morro Castle, the Cata
lina battery and two earthworks.
The morning opened with heavy showers
and no breeze. Not a favorable outlook,
because the dense smoke from the big
guns would hang over the ships like a pall
and disarrange the aim of the gunners,
while the shore batteries having smoke
less powder, would be able to fire at the
patches of smoke with little inconveni
ence.
Toward 6:30 the skies lighted and a good
breeze came along.
At 6:32 the order to move into land was
given and as the columns formed, a beau
tiful and inspiring sight was witnessed.
Forming in two columns at a distance
of six miles the ships moved toward the
entrance of the harbor, the Brooklyn lead
ing one column and the New York the
other.
Sloiwiy they moved up until within four
miles of the forts.
Then they turned, the Brooklyn to the
west, followed by the Marblehead, Texas
and Massachusetts, and the New York led
to the east, followed by the New Orleans,
Yankee. lowa and Oregon.
When the ships had all turned into this
new formation they moved in battle line
to within 3,000 yards of the batteries, in
the positions originally detailed.
The Vixen and the Suwanee went on the
left flank to look out for riflemen or rifle
pits, and (he Dolphin and the torpedo
l>oat Porter did similar duty on the right
flank.
The forts remained silent, but at pre
cisely 7:41 o'clock a 12-inch gun on the
lowa shattered the silence and from one
end of the line to the other there was an
Instant response to the firing.
Through clouds of smoke the 12-tnch
shell of the lowa could be seen striking
on the base of the Estrella battery.
Some of the batteries on .the hills opened
at once, but their good aim of last week
seemed destroyed by the shower of shells
from the fleet, for the Spanish return shots
flew far from the mark.
The great difficulty seemed, so far as
the American ships were concerned, to
be the dense clouds of smoke which ob
scured the gunners’ and range-fihders’
alm, but even with that great difficulty
the shooting was splendid.
The 13-inch shells from the Massachu
setts and Oregon struck into the hills near
tne batteries and threw up mountains of
earth, even w’hen they fell a trifle short.
The moral effect of the terrible power
must h*ve be« n (treat, for battery after
battery lv ‘ iS deserted by the Spanish.
The Texas, with two 12-lnch guns, and
the lowa, with her four big guns, raked
the entire hillside, while the Brooklyn and
New York poured in a heavy fire from
their destructive 8 and 5-inch guns.
The Brooklyn headed in further with her
■qurfdron of fighter* when the smoke be
came so dense, and, then obtaining a new
range, the ships poured in a deadly rain
of 8-inch and 5-inch shells.
Tn the meantime the shells from a little
Spanish fort on the water front, two miles
west of Morro Castle, opened on the Su
wanee, under the command of Lieutenant
Commander Delenanty and. the Vixen, in
command of Lieut. Sharp, and they mov*4
in and with a hot fine from their small
guns soon silenced them.
The great earthworks on the Mil near
the fiy ; ng squadron’s end of the line then
began putting shells in so close to the
Brooklyn and Masaschu?etts that It was
determined to silence them if possible. It
was a difficult job, because the earth
work was 180 feet above the water line,
and it required great elevation of the
guns.
At 8.22. after three-quarters of an hour
es firing. Commodore Schley ordered
“cease firing” ami the ships on the west
mcned further in until they had a good
1.960 yards’ range.
Eight njinute* later the command to
open fife was given and the guns began
to crash away.
Following the whistle of the 8-inch shell
( DAILY, 310 A YEAR. .
■J 5 CENTS A COPY. I
( WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK $1 A YEAR f
from the Brooklyn’s after turret, in charge
of Lieut. Rush, there was a burst of fire
from a block house near this battery and
a great cheer from the men. Ten seconds
later the Massachusetts landed two 10-inch
shells almost in the same spot and sig
nalled that the battery was silenced.
Big guns could still be seen on the hill,
but there was no gunners around them.
In the meantime, shells from what few
batteries of the enemy were keeping up a
desultory firing, were falling either very
short or just over the ships. One burst
over the Broklyn and two others went
dangerously close to her. But only a few
skylight were injured.
In the meantime, the four big battleships
were pounding away at the Estrella bat
tery and the inside harbor defenses and
the explosion of the great shells could be
seen causing terrible havoc.
Down at the eastern end of the line, the
New York and New Orleans put the Cave
batteries out of action in fifteen minutes
and then devoted the fire of their guns to
the batteries on the hill, there being two
new masked batteries west of Morro that
were very nasty in their fire.
The guns of the New Orleans.did deadly
work thqre and the fire from the Spaniards
grew more and more fitful.
The Estrella and Catalina batteries were
on fire and the block houses on the eastern
end were burning.
At 9:19 the ships turned so as to bring
their unused port batteries into play and
opened a still more disastrous fire.
By 9:30 the fitful fire from one or two
guns on the fortifications showed that the
Spaniards had practically deserted their
batteries and would not return the fire.
Lieut. Doyle’s 8-inch guns in the star
board turret of the Brooklyn, and Lieut.
Simpsons’ forward 8-inch pair landed right
in the middle of the earthworks several
times with evident disastrous effect.
The flagship signalled at 9:37 that the
batteries were evidently silenced; but it
was not until 10:05 that the firing was
stopped.
At that time, it was known that not a
single shot of the enemy had taken effect
on our ships.
When the firing finally stopped the war
ships moved slowly away and a shot
struck near the flying squadron’s end of
the line giving evidence that the Spaniards
had not been altogether driven away from
their guns, but had run away from them
only to come back when the opportunity
offered.
One or two stray shots struck Morro
Castle, but it was only slightly damaged
about the upper works.
It is believed that both the Catalina and
Estrella batteries are finally out of action,
while a great portion of the earthworks
was knocked down.
It was rumored that the Spaniards had
hauled down their flag, but it was proba
bly shot down, as it was displayed again
by noon, and the firing of the guns after
the retirement of the squadron was not
indicative of surrender.
MAY LEAVE FRISCO WEDNESDAY.
Second Philippine Expedition Or-
|Fgian Francisco, June lA—Maj. Gen. Mer
ritt has issued verbal instructions through
Maj. Gen. Otig, to colonels commanding
regiments and battalions designated to
sail in the second Philippine expedition,
to have finished by Tuesday the placing
aboard ship of all camp equipments, and
to be ready to embark their troops by
noon on Wednesday.
Arthur McArthur, the last of the briga
dier generals of volunteers ordered to re
port to Gen. Merritt at San Francisco for
the Manila expedition, has arrived. Gen.
McArthur comes direct from Tampa and
Chickamauga, where he assisted in the
mobilizing of two armies.
Measles threatens to become epidemic
among the soldiers at Camp Merritt, and
the surgeons in charge of the field hospi
tal are bending all their energies to pre
vent the further spread of the malady.
Fifty cases are now under their care and
during the past three days six or eight
new patients a day have been turned over
to them.
Fortunately it is in a mild form and the
patients are doing well.
BLANCO NEEDS SUPPLIES.
» 11
Spaniard* at Santiago Claim to Have
Repulsed American*.
London, June J 3. The Madrid corre
spondent of (ho Standard telegraphing
Sunday, says: “Gen. Blanco, having again
telegraphed that in case the blockade be
comes stricter it will be urgent to send war
stores, as his supply is runnig short, the
government has taken steps to dispatch
abundant supplies by fast vessels from
Spanish and foreign ports. The more im
portant supplies from Spain will be strong
ly convoyed and will be sent immediately.
“Gen. Blanco also telegraphs that the
authorities at Santiago de Cuba claim to
have repelled the American attempt to land
in the inner and outer bays of Guantana
mo, the Spanish forces being entrenched in
positions commanding the best landing
places between Santiago and Guantan
amo.”
TRANSPORTS OFF SANTIAGO.
Blanco Report* Thetr Appearance to
Madrid.
London. June 13.—The Madrid correspon
dent of the Times, telegraphing Sunday
Hays: “The only definite information
from the Spanish side about Cuba is a
short passage from an official dispatch of
Gen. Blanco to Lieut. Gen. Correa, minis
ter of war, as follows: ’Respecting San
tiago, Gen. Linares reports that to-day
fifteen merchants ships, with some tugs,
forming apparently a total of twenty-four
vessels, apepared before the port about
noon. Only fifteen temained, the others
having left for Guantanamo with the Mas
sachusetts and Dolphin, which cannonad
ed the hights of Daiquiri. No casualties
are reported. We do not know whether
these merchant men carry a portion of
the contingent for the expedition.’ ”
SPAINIS IDEA OF THE WAR.
Common People Think the United
Slate* I* Wa*ting Money.
Wllmjngton, Del., June 12.—Capt. Davis
of the British steamer Lecoq, which
reached this port yesterday from Santan
der, Spain, says that while in that coun
try he was impressed with the fact that
the common people apparently are taking
very little interest in the war with the
United States.
Capt. Davis was also of the opinion that
tbe Spaniards thought the United States
was wasting it* money, appropriated to
wage war. as it was intimated to him
Spain did not place a high financial esti
mate upon Cuba, Forto Rico or the
Philippines.
Convoys and Troop ShipsH
Leave Key West. J
*
WILL ARRIVE WEDNESDAY.
Landing Operations to Begin
Thursday.
PORTO RICO THE NEXT POINT—
Expedition to San Juan to Start in
Ten Days.
Washington, June 12.—Under command
of Maj. Gen. Shafter, the first division of
the United States army will sail to-night
from Key West for Santiago de Cuba to
besiege and capture that town.
The army transports, thirty in number,
left Port Tampa yesterday and are now
ut Key West.
The convoying warships, believed to
number between sixteen and nineteen, will
be ready for the voyage by nightfall, and
with this powerful force there is no longer
reason for apprehension that the trans
ports can be attacked successfully by any j
Spanish warships, even if such should havo
escaped the vigilant search of the naval
commanders at Key West and off Havana.
It is believed here that the sally out of
Havana of the three Spanish gunboats wag
intended to create the impression that they
were prepared to go out to attack tho
transports. »
If so, the plan miscarried for the craft
were detected immediately by Commodore
Watson’s cruiser ~ and driven ba-.-k od.l .
mell into llnvanaflxrbor under the »rc B j
Even had escaped they" ■■■?;
could l ave don'no damage, for the sizeval
of the convoy furnished for the troop shlpa fB
is sufficient to warrant the belief that | ■
they would have been speedily destroyed |®
should they have had the courage to make f
an attack upon the fleet of American ships. ® ; v
The Spanish gunboats are not of formlda-d®
ble character, not one of them being tfli<*H|g
equal in power of the smallest of the®
American cruisers, or even of such gun-fl,'
boats as the little "Bancroft, which
be used as Gen. Shafter’s flagship. ftislS
Every precaution has been taken by thj||. .
government to ensure (he safety of tlflj.,
troops en route to Cuba. The naval "Ig
board was in session to-day, making t®||||j»*
ma I | i. p i rat ions t< >r the dispo-lt ion of t®
guard ships. The transports will bo kefl
as clorelv together as safe navigation W
P< rtnit and (he warships wiU be dispatchf®
ahead, astern and on either flank.
The fleetest scouting vessels will ''■’o
thrown far out in advance of the trarfl
[■■■rir, nnd in order to < nsure against®
attack from tie- n-.ir some of these fl ,
s-cG, such an the St. Louis, perhaps,tg| ..
linger far m tern ready to signal KdKtSgHl
i? ivy armed etuis, rs at I Lie fust
•in approaching- foe. The stately
ship Indiana, it is expected, will
procession of ships, which will
most numerous gathered in American wat- ®
ers since the civil War. w
The troops should arrive off Santiago I
by Wednesday night, supposing the fleet -a
proceed? at eight knots speed and land
ing operations should begin by Thursday,
for Gen. Shafter will not keep his men
cooped on shipboard a moment longer
than necessary. j
It is not believed that they will be
lan-vu at Caimanera, the point on Guan
tuntinw bay where the American flag now jO .>■’
flies over tne heads of Admiral Sampsun’afe
nt.irine", as that place, while- well adanbO -c.
to t.-rve ns a n .vol It. , and as. a haj®
or refuge for the American
nor particularly well suited for the be- I
ginning of military operations.
In ten days’ time, unless unforeseen ob
stacles are encountered, the movement fl
upon Porto Rico will begin. The war de
partment has been in close communica- fl
tlon by telegraph with Geh. Miles at ®
Tampa, and all the necessary instructions fl
have been given to the commanding gen- fl
eral for the preparation of the military H
forces to be used in this part of the cam- fl
p.nlgn.
Gen. Miles in turn has been consulting
Gens. Coppinger and Lee at Jacksonville, fl??i
giving the necessary d< trilled instructions,
and all Is *"» near ready that were some l®:
( ? «cr.tlal supplied on hand the expedition
could start within twenty-four hours. BHfl
The navy department has been advised
of the purpose of the army and the warfljjg
board to-day was making
to supply ‘he convoying fleet. This wi
be of a more formidable character
. . .- wb.l h go< s with the Santiago expe< 3 JS®
t; >n ! U the plans coni, mpl.u -a joint
.... k up hi ’he San Juan fortifications
tii. arrny ar«l navy, and these
/,, n . 31. so powerful that heavily armoflfiMjpf:
, ‘i , only can b- s< i t against them,
the l>eginning. ' B
-j-- ~r . -fore. it is Ix-lievd that A
I ‘ - Little-hips wi I d this
’> r.v lb >' Admiral S.imjxon ..as taken
( . - lid, a boil in ' . .lan: a namo bay igg,
•i at i.- i • d. ;it ■ n>.-nt ‘hate* ' , ‘
v .11 n b<- in lir< t ca'ule
• ion w.th th*- department, which
... t... u.i d operatfl
of army.
< ot ju-r iwfore ; ..
i • ti. . ■ • i. v. ■■ I .nd
~.s ■ >:s aid ne ritjfl
.••.I’- - !:•■'.i Hayti t;._-
Ci. opened agair® .glaHMßßflal
NO. 478