The Irish standard., 1898-06-18
ROUTED BY MARINES:
Huntington's Men Make a Most
Successful Sortie.
an ATTACK ON A SPANISH POSITION.
After u Dricf Hut Hot Engagement
y the Enemy Ia Driven Into the
i Thtcket, with IL LOSE OF
Forty Killed.

United States Camp, Entrance of
Guantanamo Bay, via Kingston, ia
maica, June 16.-The United States ma
rines and Cubans on Tuesday attacked
the Spanish camp, situated five miles
from the American entertainments.
They completely routed force of 400
spaniards, breaking UP their camp and
destroying the we'll which supplies them
with water. One American was slight
~ wounded, two Cubans were killed
and four Cubans We're wounded. The
Spanish loss is believed to be 40 men
killed. Fifteen bodies have already
been discovered.
1t is impossible to estimate the mum.
Der of Spaniar1s engaged, owing to
their guerilla methods Of fighting. but
1t is believed there were at least 400.
The marines behaved splendidly. their
craftsmanship being excellent, even
Under the severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lies about five miles
southeast Of the rifle pits of the ma
rlnes and was All important base for the
enemy, as 1t contained the only we'll
within six or seven miles. Lieut.. Col.
huntington decided on the attack early
In the day and at about eight o'clock
the force started across the mountain.
The march up and down the llillsides,
under the glazing tropical sun was
severe test of endurance for the ma
zines, and before the battle ground was
reached 22 men had received medical
attention. All Wee able, however, to
reach the position before the fighting
ceased
The Attack
The marines were compelled to
march in single file, following the
mountain trail Meanwhile the Cubans
tarted backward aud forward to rirb.
and left, on the scout. I; was noon
when from hilltop the Americans
caught sight OF the Spanish camp lying
On II ridge below them. Ii consisted of
one large house, The officers quarters.
surrounded by numerous "shacks" and
nuts all clustering ;;hol: the precious
We'll. The Americans began a cautious
advance, and We're within 200 yards of
the enemy before the crack Of a rife
from the Spanis! lines announced tina,
the Spnnards had discovered them
The troops quickly moved Into line of
battle, with the Culans on the left
flank. The enemy bullets were whirl-
ing v;,;ousy "rer the Americans. but
the marines settled! down TO their work
as unronceruedly As though at target
practice.
Kept vp "a Hot Fire.
Very few Spaniart!s we're in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
-, f,1t l,n c
revealed their positions and enabled
the Americans to do effective work. For
20 minutes both sides maintained a ter
r'Ac fire. The Spanish shots were gen
crafty wild and sI.asInotiic while the
Americans cooly fired away, aiming
carefully and shooting to kill. For the
most part the Americans firing was
done individually but at times the ot1i-
GERS would direct firing by squads, al,
ways with telling effect
Snnnio rdn Retrcnt
1t WAS beginning to look MS though a
Fbayone, chnrge down the slope would
be necessary to disIodgs the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for thicket 100 yards further
on. Little groups could be seen fleeing
from the camp, separating, dartlng
through the brush and zigzagglng to
escape the bullets. 1t was then the
American fire became most deadly,
Man after man could be seen to fall in
q vain rush for shelter; and the fire
from the Spanish became scattering
and almost ceased Two Cubans lay
dead and four wounded, and Private
Walker, Of company d. had to limp to
the rear with a slight wound in his
ankle.
The easy victory put the command in
nigh spirits. The little black Cuban
warriors waved their mache,es and
howled curses at the Spanish in savage
fashion. Their firing had been Wild
throughout, but they oil displayed the
utmost contempt for the Spanish bull
Jets, apparently being absolutely with
out fear.
AS the enemy began breaking from
the camp, the Dolphin, which lay out
ct sea, was signalled and began pitch
Ding shells toward the thicket for which
The Spaniards were making Mean
while Lieut.. Magill was seen coming
with 40 men us reinforcements, and
Capt. Mahony was on the way with
hundred more, but before either could
reach the scene the trouble wa. over
Enemy Thoroughly Beaten
AS the Spanish retreated the Amer
Jeans moved slowly forward, firing as
they went, and by the time camp was
feached the enemy had all got away,
Making their wounded and probably
many of their dead. Fifteen bodies
were found acattered through the
brush. but the Americans were unable
10 examine the spot where their firing
had been most deadly. No time was
lost in burning the buildings and filling
the we'll with earth und stones.
The Dolphin landed water and am
munition as an attack was expected on
the return march, but none was made.
Evidently the Spanlards were too thor
pughly beaten to attempt further fight
ing. The marines did not reach the
American camp until after nightfall.
and as they had been without food since
early morning they were thoroughly
exhausted. Col. Huntington believes
the 1os+""-.:,.- "' ~ -"d well
PERSONALLY CONDUCTED.