The silver star., 1898-06-23
.usr AT GUANTANAMO.
Spaniaras Concentrating Forces to Crush
the Marines.


Denver, June ia New York spe-
clal to the Republican says:
A cable to the Herald from on board
the dispatch boat Sommers N. Smith.
Off Guantanamo, Cuba, Wednesday,
via Kingston, Jamaica, Thursday,
says:
1t is evident that the Spaniards do
not intend quietly to abandon the po-
sitions they took when the American
marines We're landed on Cuban soil,
six days ago.
They have been driven inland day af-
ter day. but are assembling additional
forces every hour and are preparing to
make Il fresh assault upon the Ameri-
can defenses.
The Spanish gunboats in the inner
harbor have been hard at work carry
ing troops across the bay to surround
our men. This work was watched
from Camp McCalla by the American
officers. 1t continued all day. As soop
as the Spanish soldiers We're landed on
the eastern shore they vanished in the
woods.
There is little doubt that these troops
are being sent TO common. rendez-
vous for Il concerted attack against
our forces, either in mass or by night
surprises. The defenseS of the camp
are being strengthened hourly. Lieu
tenant Colonel Huntington evidently
expects lighting AT close quarters, for
when l left camp he was sharpening
his sword ON srindstone.
The activity of the enemy led to sew
eral engagements during the day in
Guantanamo bay. Early this morning
a considerable number of Spanish sol
dlers appeared ON the western side of
the harbor and We're about TO be fer
ried across TO the eastern side ON the
gunboat that has been anchored in the
inner harbOr. This movement had been
anticipated by Admiral Sampson. who
sent the Texas to join the Marblehead
and Suanee at this point
When the Spaniards began the work
of transferring their men across the
inner bay, the Texas, Marblehead and
Suanee steamed into the mouth of the
inlet, opened lively fire with their
heaviest guL.s at a range of 800 yards.
The first shot fired by the Texas wis
answered by the Spaniards in the fort,
who PUT a shell between the Texas and
the Marblchead. They then sent an
other shell across the bows of the Mar
blehead, narrowly missing the vessel
-Four more Spanish shells struck the
water near our ship during the next
fifteen minutes, but after that time
nothing was heard from our ships The
Spanish troops could not be stopped
by the warships.
Shot after shot sent by the American
vessels hit the Spanish fort near the
entrance of the inner harbor and the
building eventually was completely de
molished. The mortality among the
Spanards must have been very great
Marines on the outpost of Camp Nc
Gala this morning saw man in the
brush waving a handkerchief. They
investigated and the man ran away
He presently picked up courage and re
turned. He was found TO be n Span
ish soldier. After he had surrendered
he told an interesting story. He said
he was one of twenty men sent around
the mountain to surprise the men on
the Marblehead. He had been for for
ty-eight hours without food or water
He became Disguised with his lot. he
said, and decided that he could be no
worse on with the Americans than he
would with the Spaniards, so he decid
ed TO surrender
After eating like wolf, he said he
was one of many young Spaniards who
mad Fought in the war. having been
drafted Upon reporting for army du-
", he continued. lie found there was
little food for the soldiers. that they
We're badly treated and were being
paid no wages. Many others were
ready to surrender. but were told by
their officers that the Americans would
slaughter them mercilcssly.
The prisoner also declared thar the
Spanlards We're massing for an attack
on Camp McCalla and that they were
trying 10 bring field artillery to bear
ON the American position As there
was no attack last night our men sus.
pect that some surprise is being pre-
pared by the. enemy. They assert.
however. that they are not afraid Of
any number Of Spanlards who may be
sent against them. They have placed
4 3-lnch field gun and u Colts rapid
nre mountain battery on the hill dur.
ing the temporary cessation OF hostill
tles and now are prepared TO give the
Spaniard a warm welcome.
The Americans spent the morning
cutting and burning the undergrowtb
about the camp 10 obllterate the hiding
places to which the enemy resorted
during the opening engagements. The
spanish troops nrc not expected Ia
hght IN the open. as they are practical
which 10 hide. ''''