Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-06-18

Two Cuban Allies DEAD ana -FOUR WOUNDED
in An Attack on the Guerillas' Camp,
Which Was Captured and Destroyed, To
gether With the Only Well Within Six or
Seven Miles Germany Has No Designs
on Manila Spain Has Ordered Blanco to
Exchange the Merrimac Heroes and Has
Ordered DuBosc and Carranza to Leave
Canada.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 16.-The
United States marines under Lieu
tenant Colonel Robert w. Huntington
made their first aggressive movement
against the Spanish guerillas Tuesday,
and completely routed the enemy The
force of marines was under Captain
Elliott, and cooperating Cubans were
under Colonel Laborda. The com
bined forces razed a Spanish camp
about five miles from the American po
sition, destroyed the only well in the
vicinity and killed about 40 Spaniards.
One American marine was slightly
NOunNGQ. W. SuDdlo 0ClC hiAiNN StAAh
four wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the num-
Der of Spaniards engaged owing to their
guerilla methods of fighting, but it is
believed there were at least 400. The
marines behaved splendidly, their
workmanship being excellent, even
under the severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lay about five
miles southeast of the rifle pits of the
marines, and was an important base
for the enemy, as it contained the only
we'll within six or seven miles. Lieu
tenant Colonel Huntington decided on
the attack early in the day, and at
about O'Clock the force started across
the mountain. The march up and down
the steep hillsides under the glaring
tropical sun was a severe test of en-
durance for the marines, and before
the battle ground was reached % men
had received medical attention. All
we're able, however, to reach the posi-
ton before the fighting ceased.
The marines were compelled to
march in single file, following the
mountain trail. Meanwhile the Gu
bans darted backward and forward, to
right and left, on the scout. 1t was
from a hilltop the Americans caught
sight of the Spanish camp lying on a
ridge below them. 1t consisted of
one large house, the officers quarters,
surrounded by numerous "shacks" and
huts, all clustering about the precious
we'll.
The Americans began a cautious adj
vance, and were within 200 yards of
the enemy before the crack of a rife
from the Spanish lines announced that
the Spaniards had discovered them.
The troops quickly moved into line
of battle, with the Cubans on the left
flank. The enemy's bullets were
whizzing viciously over the Americans,
but the marines settled down to their
work as unconcernedly as though at
target practice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
in the brush. but the puffs of smoke
revealed their positions and enabled
the Americans to do effective work.
For 20 minutes both sides maintained
a lGllllC hC bpuAIoh ShObo WCAC
generally wild and spasmodic, while
the Americans coolly fired away, aim
ing carefully and shooting to kill. ForY
the most part the Americans firingS
was done individually, but at times tho
officers could direct firing by squads,
always with telling effect.
1t was beginning to look as though
bayonet charge down the slope would
be necessary to dislodge the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for q thicket hundred yards
further on. Little groups could be
seen fleeing from the camp, separating
darting through the brush and zig
tagging to escape the bullets.
1t was then the American fire be-
came deadly. Man after man could be
seen to fall in a vain rush for shelter,
and the fire from the Spanish became
scattering and almost ceased. Two
Cubans lay dead and four wounded
and Private Walker, of Company D.
had to limp to the rear, with a slight
wound in his ankle.
The easy victory put the command
in high spirits. The little black Cuban
warriors waved their machetes and
howled curses at the Spanish in saw
age fashion. Their firing had been
wild throughout, but they all displayed
the utmost contempt for the Spanish
bullets, apparently being absolutely
without fear.
AS the enemy began breaking camp
the Dolphin, which lay out at sea, was
signaled and began pitching shells to-
ward the thicket for which the Span
iards were making. Meanwhile Lieu
tenant Magill was seen coming with
40 men as reinforcements, and Cap
tain Mahony was on the way with a
hundred more. but before either could
reach the scene the trouble was over.
AS the Spanish retreated the Ameri-
cans moved slowly forward firing az