Evening journal., 1898-07-02
ATTACK
BEGUN.
Shafter Assaults the
Spanish Defenses.
AN ALL DAY FIGHT.
gx
SpsniardS Retreat After a
Fierce Battle.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
-Four Hundred Americans Killed or
Wounded.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
-Four Hundred Americans Killed Or
Wounded.
ENEMY'S OUTWORKS CAPTURED.
Sampson Dombards tho City During the
Land Attaci-our Troops shelIed by
CerverR's Guns--Digging Intrench-
ments TO Cover the Approach.

PLAYA DEL ESTE. Cuba, July D.
Major General Shafter yesterday began
with great vigor the attack on the outer
defenses Of Santiago.
From three directions the American
forces advanced toward the doomed
city.
While General Lawton and General
Wheeler were attacking Caney, north
east OF Santiago General Kent was ad-
vancing toward Aguadores. General
Garcia, with his Cuban troops, at the
same time approached Caney from the
southeast and the other divisions Of
the American army pressed toward San
tiago from the east. our forces thus
presenting a solid front from the coast
20 General Linares' northern defenses
-Four members of the Twenty-flrst
regiment OF regulars were killed in the
fighting between Sevilla and Aguadores,
while l6 other Americans all members
OF the Twenty We're wounded.
Both the American and Spanish fleets
early Joined In the battle. While Ad-
miral SIMPSONS men were reducing the
recently emplaced batteries at Aqua
dores. Admiral Cervera's fleet was hurl-
ing shells In the direction OF the Ameri-
can and Cuban lines.
Two batteries of light artillery, act
ing under orders from Major General
Shafter. who went to the front at the
head OF the troops began the battle OF
Santiago by attacking Caney.
From this village a direct road leads
into Santiago, and the advance Of our
forces viii be irresistible when they gain
possession Of this road.
General "Joe" Wheeler. with a de-
tachment OF his cavalry command, and
General Garcia, with his Cuban troops,
quickly Joined General Lawton's men
In the advance upon Caney.
The Spaniards for a time fought des-
perately TO prevent Caney from falling
into the hands Of our forces. 1t was a
vain effort.
Before the fighting had been long un-
der way the American and cuban forces
gained advanced ground. Foot by foot
the enemy was driven back into the viii
lage.
1t was evident after the first hours
fighting that General Shafter accurately
had gauged the strength OF the enemy
and that he would be able TO drive the
Spaniards into Santiago at his pleasure
II was with difficulty that the com
manding officers restrained the ardor OF
our troops until the hour for beginning
the attack came The enthusiasm OF the
American forces was intense, and their
spirit quickly spread TO the Cuban
troops. All have shared the belief OF
General Shafter that Santiago could be
taken by sharp persistent attack. and
they have been impatient TO advance.
Brigadier General Kent. who COM
mands the center Of the general line OF
attack, started the Twenty-first regi.
ment OF regulars toward Aguadores al
the same hour General Lawton's mer
advanced toward Caney. Upon these
troops fell the brunt OF the battle I,
the southeast of Santiago during IN,
early hours OF the day.
There was desperate fighting about
Aguadores. Acting under orders from
General Linares. the Spaniards ct tha'
point returned the American fire with
fury that aroused In our men the fierc
est determination.
They boldly faced the enemy's fire
holding their ground tenaciously an,
pressing forward whenever an oppor
tunity 10 gain an advanced footing pre-
scented itself.
In their operations about Aguadore
the Americans were greatly encourage,
by the work OF the fleet, which poure,
heavy fire into the lines OF the span
lards.
Admiral Sampson ordered the New
York, Gloucester and Suwannee TO at
tack the batteries recently placed to tn
east OF Morro. The vessels engaged tn
batteries at short range and left onl
the Scared hillside TO show where IN
batteries had been located.
The Massachusetts and the New Yor
then opened with their big guns. plunq
ing a heavy fire into the enemys llnei
Common shell and reduced charges wer
used for the purpose, and they demoral
lied the enemy's ranks. The shells wer
fired at a high elevation. so as TO clea
the towering coast line ridge.
The Newark Joined the fleet in IN
morning. and at noon the Iowa steame
within 1000 yards Of Moro Castle. AZ
miral Sampson had signaled from n
flagship for the Iowa 70 engage Morr
but q few moments later, just as n
Iowa was about to open fire. the al
nulling pennant was holsted.
The Harvard arrived at Altares ye
terday merning with 1.SOo Michigan vo
unteers. They were hurried ashore az