Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-16
A WHITE FLAG.
1t Appears on Santiago's Walls
After Bombardment.
sampSon's Fleet Threw Shells at the City
During a Portion of Two Days and
but Little Damage Resulted, as
tho Projectiles Fell Short.

On Board the Dispatch Boat Dandy,
off Aguadores, Cuba, via Port Antonio,
July 1.-THE Brooklyn, Texas and
Indiana, under Commodore Schley, be-
gan the bombardment of the city of
Santiago at 5:15 Sunday afternoon, in
obedience to request from Gen.
Shafter. The warships lined up from
east to west, a quarter of mile from
the shore, and fred over the limestone
cliffs that came down to the sea and
hid the city, five miles away. The
bombardment was continued for one
hour.
After 35 shots had been fired from
the eight-inch guns, Commodore
Schley became convinced that the
Brooklyn's fire was falling short, and
ordered a cessation, but permitting
the battleships to continue, they with
their larger guns having longer range.
The shots were fred with great delib-
Grafton and at intervals of two min.
utes. The signals from the shore an
nounced that the shells fell thousand
feet short and little to the left of
the Spanish position. AT dusk the
squadron ceased firing and Commo-
dore Schley sent launch to the shore
to ask Gen. Shafter if he desired firing
continued during the night.
From 4 p. m. Sunday until dark
the American guns on shore poured
deadly fire into the Spanish lines.
Our men were greatly refreshed by
their three days rest and fought with
lion-like spirit.
The artillery did effective work. The
fire from the Spaniards in trenches
was weak.
At 9:30 Monday morning the New
ark opened fire into the city with her
eight-inch guns. The signal corps otfi-
GERS stationed on top of the ridge re-
ported the effect of the shots. me
New York, Brooklyn and Indiana par
ticipated in the firing at intervals of
five minutes. The bombardment lasted
for two hours, when Gen. Shafter re-
| ported that the shells were mostly
falling in the bay and doing but little
| damage. The last shot, however,
struck a prominent church in the
heart of the city which was heavily
stored with powder and ammunition,
causing a tremendous explosion. The
extent of the damage is not yet known.
When the warships ceased firing and
before Shafter had begun land at
tack, flag of truce was seen coming
from the city. The object of this was
not known when the correspondent
| left the front.
Washington, July 12.-The war de-
partment yesterday made public three
dispatches from Gen. Shafter, received
| in the early hours of Monday morning
and about / o'clock in the afternoon.
| The following was received at 1870
a. M:
1.-THE navy has promised after the
bombardment begins to get in close to
the harbor with some of their light
draft boats. If the bombardment
Monday is not quickly conclusive they
will make the attempt. AS soon as
Henry's reinforcements arrive we will
surround the town and can knock it to
pieces with our light guns"
Twenty-three minutes later the fol
lowing was received: MY plans for
Monday are to keep up the lombard
ment of the trenches and city and
complete the investment on the north
west by the troops which have just
arrived at Siboney, one regiment OF
which, the First Illinois, has now
reached me-"
Washington, July 12.-The war de,
partment is advised of the arrival yes.
terday off Santiago of the auxiliary
cruiser Yale with Gen. Miles and his
staff and portion of Garretson's bri
gade. Gen. Miles had conference
with Admiral Sampson and later con
ferred with Gen. Shafter by means ot
the signal service telephone wires.