Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-06-23
SHELLS SPREAD RUIN.
Splendid Workmanship of the
American Gunners.
BombardmentO of the Defenses of SAM
tiagO Results in Awful Destruction
Flag on MORO mt Half-Mast-
SPANISH General Killed.

the hills defending Santiago harbor
since the bombardment Thursday
morning shows that the American gun
ners spread wreck and ruin every
where. Some of the batteries were de-
molished beyond repair. The vultures
which crcled on level wings over the
hills as thick as swallows around
chimney for hours after the firing
ceased furnished grewsome evidence OF
the fatality among the Spanish SOL
diers. Hundreds Of troops could be
seen from the ships digging in mounds
of earth piled up by the explosions of
the projectiles from the heavy guns for
bodies while their heads were famed
by the wings of the black scavengers
of the battlefield. There were two
spots, one on the east and the other on
the west of the harbor entrance, which
were denuded of the foliage. The hill
tops seem literally blown away. These
marked the places where the 200-pound
charges of gun cotton blown by the
Vesuvius landed.
Morro's Flag at HaIf-Mast.
But the most ominous token of death
! flag of Spain was half-masted for sew
eral hours. The significance of this is
not known. 1t is not customary to half
mast flags, but possibly some Spanish
leader was killed by the heavy fire OF
our guns, though some officers of the
squadron believe that the flag was half
masted as a notification to the Ameri-
cans that Lieut.. Hobson and his brave
men were dead. If such is the case they
must have been wantonly murdered.
The Spanish might seek to lay their
death to the bombardment, but not a
shot from the American ships struck
the fortress. Neither Admiral Sampson
nor Commodore Schley believe that
Lieut. Hobson and his party have been
killed.
Spanish General Killed.
Spies report to Admiral Sampson that
the Spanish general, Joral, and severa
officers were killed by the gun cotton
explosion at the first trial OF the bat
teres of the Vesuvius.
Destructive BOmbnrdment.
From the foretop of the Brooklyn
1900 yards distant, the men in tn
grounds could be noticed but a minut
later dust and flying debris would TAX
their places, and when the smok
cleared away only spot of red cart
could be seen-guns and gunners ha
been swept away. 1t was the mos
deadly and destructive bombardmen
: of the war thus far. Scarcely she
!; from the big guns of the squadron wen
: astray. The aim of our gunners wa
! superb, and not only were the coas
: forts annihilated, but the batteries o
: Cayo Smith, up the harbor, were d.
( stroyed. Had all the ships used smoke
!: less powder, as did the New Orlean
/: there would remain no signs of gun
:: or Notifications to indicate that ther
had ever been any defenses there.
Not n Man Lost.
There were no casualties in the flee
although the ships held fixed position
as if inviting the Spaniards to fire upo
- them. The half-stripped ships gun
1r ners never worked with more enthus
I'd asm. The words of Rear Admiral Sam
III son were: First silence the batterit
on the shore and then continue firm
until the Notifications are reduced
This order was strictly obeyed.
- was the first time that such instru
tons had been given, and the men +
sponded with will. In 3S minutes tt
order was given to cease firing, al
I'd the message went to each ship from tt
no. admiral: well done;" and the office
ed and men turned in for breakfas
o. Every detail of the engagement h;
1 LA 4
he opening of fire by the New York to Il
mt 'ast shot from the Iowa. The Spa
m iards were evidently surprised viii
ar strengthening their Notifications. T.
or first shot of the New York landed fl
he and fair on the top of the hills to t
he east where the gunners were already
ret work erecting new pieces. The ear
HE seemed to rise in a cloud, and when t
ed 12-inch shells of the Iowa and the
,v- inch beauties of the Oregon land
I'D souarely and fairly great cheer we
an up from the ships. The western squa
YER ron got into line and began firing
fore the eastern one did, and the efft
of the shots could be plainly seen. T
Spanish gunners at the batteries COZ
be noted, and quick fire was
''"' turned, but only for brief time
they withstand the terrible assault
the fleet.
shores Swarm with Spaniards.
+v Several attempts to find landi
If places for the United States troc
- within a distance of two miles west
md Santiago have demonstrated, ale
"a with previous inquiries to the eastwa
+b,t tho shore Cor TX miles is lii
ho- with Spaniards. While this will
nd prevent landing close to Santiago
~ may entail considerable delay, as
ne surrounding country must be tn
-; oughly shelled and cleared before
troops can land in safety.