The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-14
A NIGHT ATTACK
AT GUANTANAM

AssaiIed by Large Force of Spaniards After
Midnight, the First Battalion of Marines, Un-
der Lieut.. R. W. Huntington Behaved with
the Usual American lntrepidity Driving the
Spauiards Back with Heavy Loss Our
Troops Losses in the Engagement were -Four
Killed and Two Wounded.In the Morning
The Attack was Resumed by The Spaniards,
but The Spirited Fire that Met Them Soon
Forced Them TO Retreat.
Washington, ID. C. June 13.-Tbe first
army of invasion to Cuba is now well
ON its way, thirty-two transport steam
ships bearing over $4,000 officers and
men conveyed by battleships and auXili-
airy craft. sixteen in number having actu-
ally sailed from Key West at day break
this morning An authoritative state
ment to this effect was made ut the
War Department to-daa setting at rest
all reports that the expedition was on
its way or had landed last week. The
authorities made the announcement for
the reason that the time for secrecy
was now past, as the scout boats had
made sure that the path was clear
before it, and that now no possible
menace could come from the Spanish
ships or troops, even should the enemy
know our forces We're now advancing
against them. With the expedition off,
officials here feel that there will be a
period of comparative inaction for a
few DAYS. BY Thursday at the latest
the transports will be off Santiago, and
q large American army will make its
landing on Cuban soil. Admiral Samp-
son has cleared the way for this under
taking, and little danger is apprehended
in getting ashore. 1t will be after
that when the advance is made, that
the actual dramatic developments may
he expected. BY that time it is likely
the American commanders will be in di-
rect cable communication with the au
thorities here. Admiral Sampson has
taken to shore the end Of cable landing
at Guantanamo and force of cable
experts are rapidly restoring the line to
working order. The progress of this
work has been so satisfactory that one
of the leading officials of the State De-
partment said tonight that it was hoped
this direct cable communication would
be established by Thursday. 1t viii put
an end to the dearth of official commu-
nication concerning movements, and
will enable the authorities to keep in
close touch with those executing the
strategic moves.
The troops making up the expedition
which started to-day are as follows:
Infantry regiments: Sixth, Sixteenth.
Seventy First New York volunteers;
Tenth, Twenty-First, Second Thir-
teenth. Ninth, Twenty Twenty
Second, Massachusetts volunteers; First,
Twenty Fifth, Twelfth, Seventh, Seven
teenth. Third, Twentieth. Total in
fantry, Sol officers and 1O7O9 enlisted
men.
Cavalry: Two dismounted squadrons
of four troops each from the Third,
Sixth, Nineteenth. First ana Ienth
cavalry, and two dsmounted squadrons
of four troops each from the FIRST
United States volunteer cavalry. Total
dismounted cavalry, 100 officers, 2,S7a
enlisted men; mounted cavalry-one
squadron of the second, nine officers and
$50 enlisted men.
Artillery: Light batteries-E and X,
First artillery, A and Il. Second artil-
Iery. IA officers and 324 enlisted men;
batteries G and II Fourth artillery, 4
officers and 1o2 enlisted men.
Engineers: Companies & and II, nine
officers and 200 enlisted men.
Signal Corps: One detachment. two
officers and forty-fiye enlisted men.
Hospital detachments are included in
the foregoing figures. The staff corps
number fifteen officers. The grand total
of the expedition, 773 officers and a.,
J64 enlisted men.
The United States troops make up the
greater part of the force, there bein4
but three volunteer organizations on the
ships. These are the T1st New York In
fantry volunteers, the I'd Massachusetts
Infantry volunteers and two dismOuntc'
sduadfons Of four troops each from th'
First United States volunteer cavalry
the regiment which Colonel Wood com