The Indianapolis journal., 1898-07-15


one on either ship was injured. AS they
Withdrew several buildings on shore were In
flames.
That afternoon both ships again turned
ments at the mouth Of the Tallabaeoss
and for half an hour poured wicked fire
upon them. The Spaniards had been largely
pieces had been mounted near the. fort.
Tnese replied to the American fire, but with
Out effect and the shells of the two ships
was struck repeatedly and the earthworks
We're partially destroyed. No damage was
done done to the ships and they again withdrew.
wharf and the adjacent buildings, evidently
expecting landing in force next day.
SILENTLY SLIPPED AWAY.
1t was learned from various sources that
reinforcements were pouring into Las Tunas
from all directions by the thousands 1t was
determined to proceed during the night with
the landing expedition to Palo Alto, fifty
miles to the eastward, the Helena remaining
at Las Tunas to confirm the Spaniards in
the belief that an attempt was to be made
to land there. At 10 o'clock Saturday, July
z, while the Helena lay off shore making
lively play with her search lights towards
shore. the Peoria, the Florida and the Fam
ia, all with lights out, slipped silently
away. There was not Spaniard to be seen
Wnen they reached Palo Alto at daybreak
and the men and cargo were put ashore
without single obstacle.
Gomez. with 1000 men, was known to be
III the vicinity, and scouts. hurried to his
lines; On Monday July 4. the grizzled old
warrior appeared in person at Palo Alto.
AN awning was spread over the end of the
abandoned wharf and a conference was
neld There were present besides General
Gomez, Lieutenant Ryan and Ensign w G..
David, of the Peoria; Lieutenants Johnson
ana Ahearn, of the Tenth United States
Cavalry; Auditor General Freye of the
provisional governments; General Nunez,
Colonel NuneZ and Major Role. The veter-
an commander in chief said he was greatly
pleased at the successful result of the ex-
peoiuon, which he thought would exercise
an important influence upon the war. He
ouCHned plan of campaign which he later
submitted in writing to Lieutenant Ryan
for transmission to President Mckinley.
Inc Tenth Cavalry have dubbed the Pc
oria The Little Dewey" She had arrived
from the North only a few days before taxi
ing out the expedition and this was her first
experience under fire, four times in forty
eight hours. Her batteries are four Hotch-
KISS three-pounders, two Hotchkiss revolv-
ing cannon and one Colt repeating rife
1t was subsequently learned that during
the night at Las Tunas five buildings in the
town were completely destroyed by the fire
from the American guns, while tWenty-threo
were partly destroyed and eight schooners,
and sunk
When Winthrop Chanler fell wounded.
Drs. Lund and Abbott carried him into the
brush and all three sank UP to their necks
in a swamp. DR.. Lund, who was formerly
German army surgeon, and who is. a giant
In strength, managed to extricate himself,
stripped off his clothes, with the papers and
eatables which he carried and swan naked
IN darkness to find the ships. A boat from
the Florida picked him up and he was taken
TO the Peoria: As the strange figure clam
bered up the ladder the sentry on guard at
the gangway challenged him. but DR.. Lund
brushed past him and strode In all his max
edness up to Lieutenant Ryan, gave the
customary formal salute and with the ut
most gravity said: Il have to report that
the men ashore require assistance"
When Chanler and Abbott were rescued
they were still in the water up to their
necks, but except Chanlers elbow they were
none the worse for their experience. ST