The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-12

WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE navy de-
pariment WAS in coununication today
with Admiral Sampson off Santiago by
cable and by naia. with the result that 1t
s now known officially that the American
flag floats over Cuba. and that II was
raised by United States marines at tho
mouth OF Gnantanano bay. The marines
who have thus glorified themselves were
SEQ in number. They were obliged TO fight
for their lives. and In the course of that
fight To burn down the town chosen as the
site for deharkation. All is ready at Guam
tanarno for the landing Of United States
regular troops. as soon as they arrive
there, the marines hcidng the ground
they won and being protected by tho guns
OF the Marblehead. under Capt. MeCaila.
who has already during tie present war
So distinguished himself by energetic and
valuable services as TO encourage the be-
lief that he will regain the numbers he lost
some time ago through an unfortunate In
cident Regarding the fleet of transports,
no statement Is ohsainable at the war de-
partnsent and It is believed that the situ-
alton is as IL stood yesterday with respect
to the starting of the expedition.
The oregon's Men Land First.
OFF GUANTANAMO, June 10. va Port
Antonio. June lite Capt Clark and the
battleship Oregon belongs the honor OF
effecting the first successful, landing OF tho
war. Tho marines from the battieship
went ashore this morning and occupied ths
left entrance OF the bay until tho Panther
arrived with sDo marines. These, under
command of Lieut.. Col Huntington. ar
rived al o clock. and within half an hour
had burned the buildings OF the Spanish
camp, and had set FIRE 50 miserable little
village which crouched on the beach under
tho hilltop of Guantanamo
The Marhlehead. backed by tho Vixen
and Dolphin, opened on the earshworks.
The shores to the right of the entrance
were lined with guns and rifle pits. but this
Spaniards stampeded after firing a few
shots.
The city of Guantanamo les four miles
up the bay. ard q little Spanish ganboat
came down to help the shore batteries. but
she stayed just hong enough 20 turn
around. Numerous shots were fired by
the spanlarsis. but not one landed and no
Americans were injured.
The main fort lies within tho city lin
its. and In Sill to ba reduced. but II 10
not In difficult position. and the Amer
lean officers say II can bo taken In siftesa
minutes
The MarbieheaA, Dolphin, Vixen ard two
colllers have been of the hartor for ssv-
eral days. and yesterday morning they
sailed into the channel. \ mile further up
they opened fire. scslding fifty shots at the
fortilcaitons on the left. The hills OH the
right Of the entrance were deserted. There
are no defenses on tho right side Of tho
harbor.
spaniards Were ranie-Strtcken.
No attempt vas made 10 land until the
Oregon steamed IN this morning. and Capt.
Clark Immediately sent forty marines
ashore. and twenty from the MaEblehead
followed. They found evidence OF a very
hasty departure by abe SpaniaFda Watch
es. hannocks and ammunition we're scat
tered about the earth8ofks, and a Spanish
flag sas found }n one OF tho rife pits. The
little detachment or marines held the piaca
until the Panther arrived. when they were
recalled. and the work OF dlsembarkins
began.
Tho nrvt fs0at load had scarcely landed
when the village burst Into fsn1es Com
pany K. under Lieut. Han. ~as the arst
asaofe. ard without iesa Of moment. me
cosarnn started Gp tae steep rocky hillside
10 the earth works. For an hour a brown
colusnn Of marines flied up the narrow path
eventually taking up position AZ the top
Of The hill.
Awaiting the Arrival Of Troops.
IA soon as the American flag was swung
out To the hreeze from the Flagstaff of ms
cap,ureyf spaniea camp. the Oregon steam
ed away 20 retosn the feet ~ Santiago. The
marines viii hold ths position until ths 81
rival u the expected tto0fa. in mo msan-
time scouting IN the vicinity. with the Mar
bsebeaa V3zes sua Dolphin lying by 10
protect thesn
Rear Adnslra! Sampson now has a harbos
and base Of supplies oa the south s.cs e