The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-07-30
UNDROKDN VICTORIES.
lilies Army Of Invasion Captures
Porto Ponce. on
RIVALRY IN THE DEPARTMENTS.

Both the Army and Navy Claiming
Credit For victory-Press Reports
Show That the Town Surrendered TO
the Gunboat Dixie.
Washington, July 3O.-The war de-
partment has received the following
dispatch from General Miles, dated
Port Ponce, Porto Rico, via St Thomas
July 20:
On the 26th Garretson had a spirited
engagement on the sklrmsh line. our
casualties are four wounded, all do
Ing well. The Spanish loss was three
killed and 13 wounded. Yauco occupied
yesterday. Henry's division there to-
day. Last evening Commander Davis,
of the Dixie, moved into this port, fol-
lowed by Captain Higginson, with his
fleet, early this morning. General Will
son, with Ernsts brigade, now rapidly
disembarlsing. The troops disembark-
ing from the Dixie are the Sixth Mass
achusetts and Sixth Illinois.
Spanish troops are retreating from
the southern part of Porto Rico. Ponce
and port have a population Of 5000,
now under the American flag. The
populace received troops and saluted
the flag with wild enthusiasm. The
navy has several prizes also 10 light
ers. Railway stock partly destroyed
now restored. Telegraph communica-
ton also being restored. Gable instru-
ments destroyed. Have sent to ia
maica for others. This is prosperous
and beautiful country. The army will
soon be in the mountain region. The
weather Is delightful, and the troops in
the best of health and spirits. l an
ticipate no insurmountable obstacle in
the future. The results thus far have
been accomplished without the loss OF
a single life. The Spanish retreat from
this place was precipitous, they leav-
ing rifles and ammunition in barracks,
and 40 or so sick in the hospital. The
people are enjoying a holiday in honor
of our arrival
The navy department also received a
cable announcing that the navy had
captured the city of Ponce and landed
the forces under General Miles. Both
departments are very much satisfied
with what has been accomplished, and
the tone of both dispatches indicates
that the rivalry between the army and
navy for honors in the Spanish war Is
not at an end. The department expects
an easy conquest Of Porto Rico, and
Notwithstanding the oVertures fol
peace made by Spain the war will be
prosecuted vigorously in that island.
A dispatch from st. Thomas says:
The Port of Ponce surrendered tc
Commander c. H. Davis, Of the auxil'
iary gunboat Dixie, on Wednesday
There was no resistance and the Amer
leans were welcomed with enthusiasm
Major General Miles arrived at Ponce
Thursday morning at daylight witt
General Ernst's brigade and Genera
Wilson's division on board transports
General Ernst's brigade Immediately
started for the town of Ponce, three
miles inland, which capitulated Thurs
day afternoon.
The American troops are pushing to-
wards the mountains and will join
General Henry with his brigade at
Yauco, which has been captured by our
troops.
A fight before the latter place on
Thursday last was won by the Amer
lean volunteers. The Spaniards am
bushed eight companies of the Massa-
chusetts and Illinois regiments, but
the enemy was repulsed and driven
back mile to q ridge, where the
Spanish cavalry charged and were
routed by our infantry. General Gar
retson led the fight with the men from
Illinois and Massachusetts, and the
enemy retreated to Yauco, leaving foul
dead on the field and several wounded
None Of our men were killed, and only
three were slightly wounded.
The results thus far achieved b!
| General Miles and Captain Higginson
in command of the naval squadron
have created a feeling of intense salts
| faction among officials of the admins
tration. 1t indicates, as one official ex
presses 1t, that Miles is cleaning VI
everything as he goes"
The surrender of Ponce practically
without a struggle, is regarded by tht
war officials with especial satisfaction
In Importance it is the second city OF
the island. 1t has a population Of 22.'
| 900, with a jurisdiction numbering AZ,
900. Situated on the south coast Of tht
| island, on a broad plain two miles from
the seaboard Ponce has advantage
| not possessed by any other city fl
| Porto Rico. II is 70 miles from Sal
| Juan, by whlch IL is connected by Tn
best highway on the island. 1t is regu
larly built, the central part almost eS
clusively of brick houses and th
suburbs of wood. 1t is the residence O
the military commander of the distric
of Ponce and seat of the official cham
ber of commerce. There is an appel
late criminal court, besides othe
| courts; two churches, one of a Protes
tant denomination, said to be the onl.
one In the Spanish West Indies; twt
hospitals, besides the military hospital
three theatres, a municipal public II
brary, three first-class hotels, ga
works and a perfectly equipped fire de
| partment.
A fine road connects Ponce witt
Playa, which is the port of Ponce
There all the import and export trad
is transacted. Playa has a population
of about 5000 and there are situated
the custom house, the office of the cap
tain of the port and all the consula
offices. The port Is spacious, and yes
sells Of 25 feet draught can enter it. Tn
city of Ponce is pronounced by the mil
itary authorities to be the healthies
place in the island. The climate, o
account of the sea breeZes during tn