The record-union., 1898-07-14

ent position being such that shells can
be thrown over adj the buildings thus
protected from assault
The little town of Caimenez was
evacuated by the Spanish troops yes
terday and is now occupied by the
Cuban troops with a few companies of
regulars.
Its occupation is most important to
the American forces, as it completes
the semi-circle from water line to water
line and hems the city in. 1t was a
great blunder on the part of the Span
ish to desert the place without strug-
gle. as with it. General Lawton fianks
them completely.
Near this point the Spanish left lies,
and this flank has been known to be
the weakest portion of their lines.
During the weeks truce they have been
strengthening it, but their intrench-
ments at this point have been con-
structed raggedly and apparently with
out definite plans. General Lawton
anticipates little difficulty in driving
the Spaniards from their positions.
Under the present plan the army and
navy Will begin at the same time. The
fleet viii hurl shells into the city, while
the great fort of American soldiery will
gradually tighten about the Spanish
positions. the divisions advancing from
all along the line. AS the semi-circle
narrows, the batteries in the rear will
maintain a heavy fire.
The American officers feel confident
the city can withstand this terrible
assault but a short time
General Miles went to the front to-
day, and probably will remain there the
greater part of tomorrow.
Scarcely wounded man re-
mains at the hospital headquarters
here. Almost all the sufferers have
either been sent north on the return
ing transports or have been sent on
board the hospital ship Relief, which
lies off shore. 1t is most fortunate that
the transfer was made before the rains
set in, as it is difficult to provide
shelter from the storms. A number
OF men sick with fever, measles and
other ailments, are still here.
Malarial fever continues to give the
physicians trouble, but SO far only one
death has resulted
Nicholas Fish will leave for the north
to morrow with the bodies of Hamil-
ton Fish, Jr., and Captain Capron. who
We're killed with the Rough Riders in
battle
The men of General Lawton's division
yesterday cut a large water main
which is believed to be the source of
water supply of Santiago.
few deserters who came out of
Santiago to-day reported that the city S
water supply is scant and of very bad
quality
The reports of wholesale desertions
from the Spanish forces are untrue. A
few deserters reach the American lines
almost daily, but there have not been a
hundred deserters from the Spaniards
in all. In case of an attack on the
part Of the fleet it is believed that some
of the troops on board the Yale will be
landed west of Juragua to join Gen
eral Lawton's division. A landing
could easily be effected near Cabanas,
five miles west of the harbor entrance.
General Shafter telegraphed to Wash
ington to-day in regard to the extreme
privations suffered by the $4,000 Santi-
ago refugees now at Ell Caney, and he
received a reply directing him not to
assume the responsibility of their main
tenance, but to give them such food as
he can spare from the soldiers stores.
Already 22,500 rations have been given
them, but these are ehausted as we'll
as the provisions sent by Miss Clara
Barton in behalf of the Red Cross So
ciety.
The condition of affairs in the camp
of the refugees is terrible, and if it con-
,tinues many people will starve to death
Up to date eight persons have died.
The churches are being used as hos
pitals. One of them contains 1917 per-
sons. A very old woman committed
suicide to-day in her distress, killing
herself with machete.
General Wheeler recommended the
following officers in his cavalry division
for gallantry in action:
Brigadier General Carroll, Colonel
Sumner, Major Vessels, Major Lebord,
Major Wint, Captain Hawes, Captain
Hartman, Lieutenant Andrews, Cap
tain Beckham, Lieutenant Colonel ID.
Orsett, Major Darlington, Captain
West, Captain Dickinson, Captain
William Astor Chanler and his aides,
I-ieutenants Steele, Reeves and Whee-
Ter. He also compliments Mr.. Aestes,
his Cuban volunteer aide, for con-
spicuous service.