Evening journal., 1898-07-15
CAPT. NUNEz KILLED
Brother Of Cuban General Per-
ishes In Florida Expedition.
SUPPLIES LANDED FOR GEN. GOMEZ.
Las Tunas Bombarded by Peoria and Hell
ena-spanish Loss Heavy Position
of Corners Army-Two Thou
sand Men Ready to Fight.

KEY WEST. July ia naval vessel
which served as a convoy TO the Cuban
expedition sent on the steamers Florida
and Fanita returned here yesterday
bringing back the first authentic infor-
nation regarding the movements of
those vessels since their departure from
this harbor more than two weeks ago
officers OF the gunboat give the fol-
lowing account of the landing OF the
Florida and Fanita expeditions: These
vessels. with their escorts. arrived at
San Juan port. on the south side Of Gu
ba, between Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
June 20.
\ reconnoitering party was sent
ashore. but was driven back by a large
force Of Spaniards, who had evidently
been watching the movements from the
beach. The expedition then continued
20 Port Tunas, about 40 miles 20 east
ward of where the first landing was at
tempted. A blockhouse som four miles
from town. was shelled in the afternoon
OF June 30 without ellciting response.
Two boats then landed with scout
ing party Of Is Cubans under Captain
Nunez, brother Of General Nunez. and
another party of 10 volunteers under
Free Lance Winthrop Chandler. Both
We're received by Spanards in ambush
on the beach with heavy fire,
Captain Nunez was killed outright and
several others OF the Cuban party
wounded. The gunboat Peoria opened
fire on the blockhouse driving the
Spaniards back, when general landing
was effected. all hands going into the
bushes. The Peoria continued firing un-
til dark.
nf 70, an
Florida with five wounded, they report
ed that Winthrop Chandler. Drs. Lund
and Abbott and Lieutenant Agramonte
and two Cubans were missing Rescue
parties were organized and sent out
during the night. Toward, daylight the
boat under Lieutenant Ahern returned
with all the missing except Captain Nu-
nez. Chandler being only slightly wound
ed through the elbow. The same night
the Florida grounded, where she re-
mained until relieved by the Helena
on July . the gunboat5 Helena and
! Peoria steamed in toward Tunas and
! proceeded 10 demolsh the shore batter
les whore the Spaniards had mounted
/ Krupp guns. After Is or 20 shots from
the two ships the guns were dismount-
| ed and batteries silenced. Both vessel,
were struck, but no one aboard injured
The same night the Peoria. followed
by the Florida and Fanita, with al
lights eXtinguished. steamed eastwar,
TO Palo Alto. 40 miles away, where
landing was successfully accomplished
| Leaving the Helena at Tunas flashing
searchlight as a ruse the vessels ar
rived at Palo Alto July 4, meeting
General Gomez with an escort VIII
awaited their coming. At noon Lieu
tenant Ryan. accompanied by Ensigl
David. had a conference with Gomez
At the meeting the old general outline
the plan OF campaign, submitting L
Lieutenant Ryan for transmission I
the United States government the pla
OF operations.
Gomez has 1000 troops under his I'm
mediate command, with several thou
sand more encamped within easy reach
He said his men were greatly in nee
Of the supplies and ammunition brough
by the expedition, which was subse
quently successfully landed. From
several deserters from the Spaniards /
was learned that a large number wer
killed and wounded at the lombard
mont Of Las Tunas by the Peoria AM
Helena. The Spaniards had been ap
prised of the proposed landing of IN
expedition at that point and had con
centrated a large force Of troops b
forced marches to prevent the landing.