The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-28
A GREAT BATTLE IS
IMMINENT AT SANTIAGO
The Doomed City Is but Four Distant From the
American Army-A Big Task land for the Bows in
Blue -Spaniards Use Explosive Bullets
Copyright ls9s by Associated Press.

| Copyright 1895 by Associated Press
On the Rio Guiana, June IS. noon
via Kingston. Jamaica, June %. o a. m.
The advance forces of the American
army rest on this stream, with the city
OF Santiago four and a half miles west
ward. in plain sight. Last night the
outposts. consisting of two companies
OF the 7th infantry, under Major Cool
idge. occupied positions at right angles
to the road. guarding the crossing a
mile and half beyond Sabinella. where
three regiments Of General I.awton's di-
vision camped. The LIST. 4th and 7th.
the sth, the I'd and ed Massachusetts
regiments with the rough riders, 10th
cavalry. and portions of several other
regiments. are strung out behind them
towards Juragua. About 500 Cubans.
under General Gonzales. were camped
around General Lawton's headquar-
ters. but less than so of them did scout
duty last night
General Wheeler to-day. with the Ist,
I'd and 10th cavalry. and the rough
riders, with dynamite guns. moved up
10 where General Lawton's outposts
were last night. and four batteries of
the Sd artillery and four GatIing guns
with special detail under Lieutenant
Parker. We're brought up and planted on
the brow of a hill overlooking the bas-
in in which Santiago hes. The top OF
every hill and mountain north and east
Of Santiago is occupied by block houses
whence the Spaniards can view the
movements of the American army as
1t advances by Sabinella to the east
ward Of this city.
No officer who has surveyed the field
over which the advance must be made
underestimates the task ahead of the
Americans. although our boys still ex-
press the most coNtemptuous opinion of
their adversaries. The general opinion
is that more artillery win be needed
when II will be necessary TO assault the
Spanish works, as the fire of the differ
ent regiments must be deadly and sufi-
cient to demoralize any force. no mat
ter how brilliant in its courage, when
halted by wire Instructions. Some OF
the officers believe it will be necessary
to lay regular seige to Santiago and
advance with a line of earthworks un-
I'll the rifle pits can be shelled with /
shrapnel.
Should a night attack occur our SOL /
diers would fare worse than did the /
marines at Guantanamo. as the attack |
ing force here would not be at the dis |
advantage of having TO charge up hill. |
The Cubans with the advance forces.
in spite OF the good behavior of their
comrades at Guantanamo, seem to be
utterly worthless All day they 81; in
the shade OF their palm thatched camps
and at night they smoke cigarettes and
gorge on Uncle Sans rations. while in
sight of them Uncle Sans boys. with
empty stomachs, and not a bit of tobac-
co for their pipes, build roads all day
under the blazing sun. and sleep on
their rifles under the sky at night.
The Spanish are using brass covered
lead bullets, and the brass rips on
touching anything and tears the flesh
horribly while the small brass splinters
cause blood poisoning. They are prac.
iically explosive bullets, and are used
IN the Remingtons. They also cut
small cross through the end of the
Mauser bullet so that II mushrooms on
with a similar result The
outlook here is threatening
Everybody believes a great battle is
imminent. With the Spanish and
American advance posts almost close
,nough to see the whites of each 9TH
r eyes. a collision may occur at any
moment.