The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-30
A Battle at Sea.
Three Friends Vanquishes
Iwo Spanish War Vessels.

NEW CRA, OSC. ~ IA epcC'di "
the World from Key West, Fla, says:
The lone stsr fag of Cuba has net
the red and yellow banner of CASTLE
upon the seas. The shrapnel, she'll and
rife volleys Of a brave ilibuster have
made au answer to the roar of Spanish
twelve poupders and bave gained for
Cuba Libre the first victory on the
oceao.
The 6libusterlpg steamer Three
Frieuds sailed from Feruaudioa Sunday
uigbt, Dec. 13, carrying valuable
cargo of muoi'ious of war for the Cuban
insurgents. EladiDg the vigilance of
United States warships aad reverue
cutters and lodging every sail upon the
ocean, the little steamer, with about
fifty men, was within bailiDg distance
Of Cuba on the sixth night oas.
Surprised, trapped and fred upon.
she threw shot into Spanish naval
coaster, frightened of big gupbost,
aud escaped from s1ift cruiser steer
irg out to sea.
The Three Friends put iu again to
the coast spd safely landed ber cargo %
the bo-der Of TIE great Zapata swamp
Not before in Gaba's struggle for
liberty has the flag Of Spain been fred
upon at sea No other filibuster after
baviug been attacked by the enemy has
stood by Der guos and fulfilled ber per.
ilons mission.
Early 90 the morning of Friday. the
18Th, Cape San Antonio, at the West
! >rn extremity Of Cuba. was rounded.
A stiff breeze vas blowing eff the land
and the ship beaded southwark
It was known that the battlesbip
Re.ua Mercedes. the cruiser Alfonso
XIII and the coaster Dosede Mario were
patro}lipg the Pioar del Rio South
coast.
The sealed orders from the New York
Juota were opened an hour after the
Cape had been passed. They gave 90
directions as to the course the vessel
should take, its destination alone being
mentioned TIE orders Of the Juu:a
read: Sail to the mouth of The San
Juan River aud there await party of
insurgents who will take charge of the
cargo. Do not attempt to land men or
munitions at auy other point.
The orders caused surprise. A
consultation was held Immediately ID
the cabin, attended By Captain John
O'Brien. navigation captain Lewis,
Major Perez Morales, commander OF
the last expedition, and Cutcol Calvo. a
sea commander of the same. Major
Arnas was also called in.
Nearly every officer aboard had yarn
\ the Jan,a that he would not attempt
TO .a.;. ca expedition near the San
Juan River. The steamer Bermuda
had tried to and had been Gred upoo
aod driven away by Spanish coaster,
While the cargo Of the Dauutess, after
having been put ashore, was captured.
But what was there 10 be done !! The
steamer had stolen away frou, the
United States and had already COW
cred three quarters CT the distance to
her destination. Boxes OF arms. cart
ridges aod dynamite stored ia the bold
were carried CO deck aud put 10 COP
veolens positions for landing. Each
mau Who was to land with the party
bad his personal effects bundled togeth
er and ready to oe cast into the FIST
boat
The Three Friends vas hours 10 max
ing her way to the proper place to eff
feet landing When all was in read
mess the coast seemed entirely clear
o. the lower deck amidsbips. the 6Ts
boats crew. armed with machets and
revolvers. stood ready to arm the large
surf boat. which already swung over
the eide. The crew consisted Of Lieu
tenants Carbooue and Guiteras, Sharp.
shooter John Gorman and Private:
Arreio, Arcane aud Edgaro. Major
Perez Morales and DR.. Boojardlu, whe
we're also to 20 ashore 10 the first boat
stood a. the ga,gway.
Behind the first boats party stood {
dozen men armed with machets ane
Remingtous in line along the rail to re
pei boarders None others aboard were
armed except with revolvers they car
ried in their belts, as the rifles anc
machets had been returned to their box
es for transfer ashore
On the prov. night glasses 10 band
stood Capt. Lewis. Maj Arnas aad Eo
gineer Paglucbi. The remainder Of the
expedition gathered aloog the rails or
the port side IS the vessel steamed al
most ln the shadow Of the rocky cliffs
Dead ahead from the water line fo:
three or four hundred feet ali was dark
Behind the mountain vas clear sky.
When the 6Iibuster was withn 40(
wards of shore and the first boat wa:
about to be lowered the engineer dis