The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-06

In charge of Us to kill us here by the
roadside And not force us TO undergo the
torture Of a long walk before we are
| shot"
Fools" answered the Cubans in Span
| ish and with evident disgust. they will
not harm you; they will only keep you
prisoners
But the Spaniard shook his head He
knew nothing OF warfare in which the
lives OF caDtives were spared, and he
could not believe that the Cuban was not
haunting him.
The wagon trains are hurrying to the
front I'm a continuous line. loaded down
with supplies and ammunition, and they
return as steadily. laden with the wound
ed. Lieut. Cabanis, who has charge. de-
serves great pals for the almost insur-
mountable difficulties daily overcome.
At dawn to-day the artillery had made
a bold dash for the ridge beside the first
Spanish blockhouse. the Rough Riders
and cavalry brigade supporting the guns
under a hot fire from the blockhouses
Three Spanish shells exploded harm
lessly in the woods behind the guns, and
were replied 10 by the dynamite gun
which had been useless on Friday after
noon because Of n charge that had be-
come damned I'm the tube
The First Regiment. although sustain
ing heavy losses. manfully held its own
toward the left OF the line. The firing
ceased by mutual consent at shutdown
and our men dropped down to rest in
their tracks. while fatigue parties went
through the lines picking up the dead and
wounded
An old sugar mill had been improvised
into hospital and presented a ptiable
sight, the place being packed with the
dead and the dying
Shortly after midnight the Spanish
pickets dashed toward our outposts
shooting widely. but retreatins the mo-
ment our men opened fire At .daybreak
this morning the enemy opened fire az
our men as they arose along the lines
and the engagement became general on
both sides. Our troops, however. In the
rough outworks hastily thrown up. We're
better sheltered than yesterday. and our
artillery started 10 shell the Spanish
earthworks. The hail Of Mauser bullets
elected in reply blinded the gunners who
were within 700 yards Of the enemy, and
right upon the ridge. and the guns were
forced 10 fall back with loss 10 an adj
joining Hill.
From 5 to O'Clock in the morning a
terrific fire was continued. but our loss
was not 80 heavy as yesterday the Span
ism shooting being much wilder and the
small earthwOrks thrown up In the night
greatly sheltered the infantry. Some
prisoners were captured near the block
house. The sun correspondent hurriedly
questioned the officer in the party. who
begged him to intercede IN his behalf
with the COMMUNICATED. lie said
that there were 1900 Spaniarfs within
the city. besides the men from the feet,
but that there was some jealousy be-
tween the military and naval authorities.
The regiments De Puerto Rico have been
intrenched in the woods Immediately in
our path. and were responsible for our
fist losses. Food in the town is very
scarce. he said. and hunger rampant. The
city fremen and all the able-bodied men
have been impressed into service. The
troops We're much disheartened. They
had not been paid for ten months and
were living on rice bread only.
Col Cairivis. a guerrilla. Is still Turk
ing along the line OF the road. his men
hiding In trees and shooting at the
wounded as they pass by. While the Sun
correspondent was crossing a stream this
morning leading mule bearing a
wounded Rough Rider, fve shots were
fired az us. The mule was killed and
and at one time a surgeon in the Cuban
government, was wounded. bullet pass
ing through his head and inhcting a
mortal wound. \ few moments later two
other wounded men were shot al the
same crossing. whereupon a volunteer
party broke through the brush and drove
back the guerrilas.
The Spanish fire along the line is so
hot that it is impossible for one TO stand
upright The whole road Is blocked for
two miles with wounded men who are
being transferred eXDeditiously 10 the
military base. General Shafter is sick
and still remains far I'm the rear. but
Generals Wheeler. Clarke. Lawton, and
Sumner are an well to the front. The
right wing which yesterday attacked El
Caney is now watching for an opportu-
nifty TO reinforce our position here
The heavy firing from Santiago harbor
at first caused much apprehension. As
the fire from the Spanish fleet had been
momentarily expected. hut as no result
came. the fear was turned 10 hopeful
authorization. and all now believe that
Sampson is advancing mp the harbor 20
aid us from that side.
The troops have behaved sDleudidlv. II
has been a soldiers battle throughout a
fight practically without strategy In
which the central division Of our army
has fought inch by inch through a coun-
try in which the enemy superior in num-
bers. was strongly intronched.
The bush Is so thick that il is impossi-
bic to see far around. We have some
strong intrenchments yet 10 storm. and
the troops are exhausted but with the
timely achievements and the improved
position Of our men since the ridges were
captured. we shall soon have a big adj
vantage.
4 party Of sharpshooters came through
the woods this morning and opened nre
from the treetops into General Skaters
Headquarters. three mile In the rear Of
the firing lire.
~ party started in pursuit and drove
the guerrillas back although the thick
ness Of the foliage prev nted their shots
from taking much effect
our troors are simply holding their
positions. and the Spanilrds have ceased
firing. but the action may be resumed
again at any moment lnd II may be
decisive our men are holding the right
ridge and the blockhouse
As this is being written At $3.50 ?. NJ,
the fighting has been renewed the Soan-
iarJs firing from the relr Of the block
house at our infantry ana a general hre
Of infantry and artillery Is opening from
our lines in rely:
Spanish guerrilas. armed with Mauser
rifles have infested both sides Of the
roadway to Siboney. and are making IL
most uncomfortable for the wounded men
in the pack wagons. for the correspond
ents returning 20 the coast and for the
soldiers themselves.