The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-31
PONCE PROVES APICN|C
POpuIace Cheers the Invading
Army.
CITY UNDER OLD GLORY.
Miles Headquarters In the Custom
House.
SPANISH TROOPS HIDE OUT
Retreat to Join the Forces at San
Juan.

Ponce, Porto Rico Thursday July 2s,
Evening, via st. Thomas, Friday. July %,
Morning The American conquest of Por-
to Rico has begun auspiciously The Span
ish have abandoned Ponce, the principal
port on the southern coast of the island,
and in many respects its most progressive
city.
Last night Gen. Miles landed and this
morning took possession and raised the
Stars and Stripes.
The inhabitants received the Americans
with open arms and gave them the widest
and most exaggerated welcome, indicat-
ing that the population was ripe for the
revolt which it had been predicted would
occur as soon as American troops touched
the shore
The forces landed at Guanica on Mon
day have been moved and now hold the
terminus of the railway connecting Yauco
with Ponce. They encountered no oppo-
sition, except on Tuesday morning at
daylight, when the advance skirmishers
ran into force of Spantards occupying
a house on the Yauco road The skir-
mishers, under a hot fire, fell back and
then again came gallanty forward, driv-
ing the enemy for mile from the for
tihcations into the bush. In the encount-
er three Americans were wounded
Capt Edward ]. Gibbons Company A,
shot in the left leg.
Capt. B. A. Bostwick, Company L, In
the left arm, slightly.
Private James Drummond, Company X,
in the neck.
The enemy lost three killed and four
teen wounded
After the action 1t was believed that the
enemy intended to contest the advance
from Guanica, and Gen Niles made prep
arations to send Gen. Wilson'S troops TO
Ponce with the view of throwing them be-
tween Ponce and the enemy. and closing
in on the latter from both directions.
He sent word to Capt. Hlgglnson of the
battleship Massachusetts yesterday to be
ready to cover the landing to-day An OFF,
Ger accordingly was sent ashore yesterday
afternoon TO formally demand the surrend-
er of the port of Ponce, three miles from
the city of Ponce. The officer was greatly
surprised to learn that not only the port,
but the city of Ponce, was ready to capt.
ulate.
The Spanish commandant, Julison San
Martin, with 1000 men, without artillery
had been taken completely by surprise by
the invasion occurring in this quarter.
On the advice of the British consul he
decided to make no resistance.
A force of marines was Immediately
landed from the Annapolis and the Amer
lean flag was holsted over the customs
house in the port of Ponce.
During the night the Spanish troops re-
tired from the city along the military road
toward San Juan, where 1t Is probable that
Capt. Gen. Macias will eventually concen-
trate all the Spanish forces in the island
In the morning Gen. Miles established
headquarters at the custom house and
raised the American flag.
Among the prizes found In the harbor
We're seventy lighters used in loading su-
gar ships and these were used instead Of
cutters to convey the troops ashore, during
which operation not a man or animal was
injured.
The scene when the soldiers reached the
wharves was remarkable. Thousands Of
residents of the city, men, women and
children, lined the water front, and shouts
of joy and cries Of viva los Americanos"
"Buenos dias" puerto Rico Iibrep
greeted them. The soldiers were received
like liberators rather than intruders.
The red-shlrted firemen came down 10
the wharf in a body and cheered Justify.
Capt. Lyons, with Company X of the Six.
teenth Regiment, Immediately marched to
the city and established a provost guard
In the municipal building, the soldiers be-
ing billeted in the frescoed ana gold-dec-
grated room OF the aieade.
On every hand the greatest satisfaction
was evidenced. Women adorned them.
selves In their brightest gowns and waved
their hands and smiled as the troops
marched through the streets. The doors
Of the merchant houses were opened and
the whole city presented the appearance
of celebrating fete. The poor are espe-
clally rejoiced.
AIl tie approaches to the city are care
fully guarded tonight
Gen. Henry will effect a juncture with
Ger Wilson as soon as possible, and their
troops win await the arrival Of the other