The record-union., 1898-07-11
The Dynamite Gun in Working Order for
Creating Damage.
Five Batteries Of Artillery ON and
Near Ell Paso Ridge-Great
Things Expected Of the Navy
When the Bombardment Begins
Six Troopships Arrive With
$500 Men OFF Juragua.

Copyrighted, 1898, by Associated Press.]
BEFORE SANTIAGO, July 8. 4 p. m,
per Associated Press dispatch boat
Wanda, via Port Antonio and Kings
ton (Jamaica), July 10, IL a. M
Everything is now ready for the COM
mencement of hostilities, in case the
Spanish Generals do not surrender.
The dynamite gun, which has been in
position for several days, is now in
better working order than at the time
of the battle of San Juan, and it is
predicted that it's charges, consisting
of twenty pounds Of gun cotton and
gelatine. will work havoc in the Span
ish trenches when it opens fire.
Twelve mortars in one battery are
mounted and ready for use, and ready
to do effective work in shelling the
city.
Three batteries of artillery are now
posted on Ell Paso Ridge, 2,4OO yards
from the town, and the Capron and
Grimes Batteries are LOO yards TO
the north Of the road in the rear of
General Lawton's division. In firing,
the field guns will be compelled to
shell the town over the heads OF our
men, but the artillery officers say II
can be done safely and without IN
Jury to our soldiers. The dynamite gun
has been so placed that it will be able
to enfilade the Spanish lines. On
the other hand, during the truce, which
so far as regards the continuing OF
preparations for defense or attack, mas
been no truce whatever, the Spaniards
have not been idle. They have been
mounting guns and some of these are
Of much heavier caliber than any the
American army can bring. into play.
Some of their guns are of antiquated
pattern and not capable of much dam
age, but others are capable OF excel
lent work, One 1-inch gun, which had
so perfect a range during the battle
of San Juan Of many ridges occupied
by the American troops, has been 10
Gated with especial care by the Amer
lean gunners and it viii be the reclp-
lent Of much attention when hostntles
are opened.
General Bates division, which holds
the extreme left of the line, moved
forward to-day to a new position, 4oO
yards in advance of its former line
1t was, since the battle of San Juan
planted along the edge of deep ra-
vine, the walls of which are about
eighty feet high. This ravine is about
700 yards long and about 400 wide
General Bates has now moved tne
Twentieth Infantry to the side OF the
ravine near Santiago and placed the
Third Infantry, which, with the
Twentieth forms his brigade, at rlgnt
angles to the line Of the twentieth.
The left of his line, which is the ex-
treme left of the American army, IS
about opposite the upper end OF Sanl-
ago harbor and fromsfiv to six miles
from the coast line. When hostlhtles
are reopened by the bombardment
great things are expected from the
navy. Admiral Sampson is quoted
throughout the army as saying tnat
he will drop one shell into the city every
five minutes, and if that is not sum-
cient to do the work, he Will drop one
in the city every two minutes. Ihis
fire. in addition to what the land FORCES
will turn in, it is thought, will be suf-
ficent to reduce the Spanaros 70
point where they will surrender
General Hawkins, commanding the
First Brigade of General Kents diyl-
sion who was wounded IN the 1901 uur-
ing the attack made on our lines Sat
urdav night by the Spaniards, has re-
turned to the United States. Colonel
succeeded General Hawkins in COM
mand of the brigade, and Colonel WOOD
of the Rough Riders has succeeded
General Young. Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt will command the Rough
Riders hereafter.
Sixteen Spanish prisoners who were
wounded were turned over to the Span
iards yesterday afternoon. DR.. George
Goodfellow and Captain Dryer escorted
the ambulances and the correspondent
of the Associated Press accompanied
them. The Spaniards displayed great
gratitude for the kindness and there
was considerable fraternizing, in which
the Spanish officers desire for peace
stood out like a headlight in fog.
There is no doubt that the subordinate
Spanish officers are anxious to surren-
der, but they practically said that upon
General Toral's decision this would rest.
They admitted that they were short of
provisions, but all appeared to be de-
termined and resolute and willing to
die, If need be. in the defense Of the
city.