The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-15
FIGHTING IN PORTO RICO


 Hold nm Almost Impregnnble Position Attacked by General Wilson Who Had the Enemy in Retreat When Spanish Achievements Arrived-A Spanish Colonel's Defiant Answer to General
 Wilson's Demand for Surrender Occur.
 At the front, with General Wilson's column, five miles beyond Coamo, Por- to Rico, Aug. 12.-Evening (delayed in transmission )-General Wilson moved one Lancaster battery out to the front this afternoon for the purpose of she'll ing the Spanish position on the crest of the mountain at the head of the pass through which the road winds. The enemy occupied position of great nat ural strength protected by seven lines of intrenchments, and a battery of two Howitzers. The Spaniards were eager fired upon Colonel Riddle of the engin- ger corps, who, with platoon of troop c of New York, was reconnoitering on their right flank.
 As our battery rounded a curve in the road 2,000 yards away, the enemy opened an artillery and infantry fire. Four companies of the Third Wiscon- sin, which were posted on the bluffs to the right of the road, were not permit ted to respond to the infantry fire. The guns advanced at a gallop in the face of terrific fire, were unlimbered and were hurling common shell and shrap- nel at the enemy at a lively rate, strik- ing the supplements, batteries and entrenchments with the rythmatic reg ularity of 8 trip hammer. The enemy soon abandoned one gun, but continued to serve the other at intervals for over an hour. They had our range and their shrapnel burst repeatedly over our men. One shell burst, the frag- ments killing Corporal Swanson of Go. l., and seriously wounding Corporal Yanke and Privates Bupce and Vought
 Captain Paget, the British army off, cer, who is with the the American forces for the purpose of observing the operations in the field, distinguished himself by aiding Dr. Woodbury. Here Captain Lee and Private Sizer of Com- pany F were wounded by Mauser bull lets. In about two hours the enemy abandoned the other gun and the men began to flee from the entrenchments toward a banana grove in the gorge. Our guns shelled them as they ran. One gun was now ordered to advance to a position a quarter of a mile further on. It had just reached the new posi- tion when Spanish infantry reinforce ments filed in to the trenches and be- gan a deadly fire upon our men, com- polling the battery to retire at a gallop Then both the enemy's howitzers re- opened, the shrapnel screamed and Mausers sang. Another gun galloped from the rear, but our ammunition was exhausted. Lieutenant Hines was shot in the body by Hauser just before his gun retired the ball following a rib. The orders issued for two companies to advance were countermanded and the firing ceased.
 Colonel Bliss of General Wilson's staff went forward to the enemys line with a flag of truce and explained that peace negotiations were almost con- cluded and that their position was un- tenable and demanded their surrender. The Spanish have no communication with the outside world and the com mander asked until tomorrow morning in order that he might communicate with Governor General Macais. Gen eral Wilson and his staff viewed to- days action from a hill at the right of the battery. The enemys guns were fired from a high elevation with low velocity. The Spaniards have ranges as accurately as they had at Santiago Their position from the front is almost impregnable, but it can be turned. Es- inmates of the strength of the enemy range from five hundred to one thou sand. Their position is five miles from Aybonito.
 Headuuarters of General Wilson at Coamo, Aug 13, Morning. Delayed in transmission).-"Tell the American general, if he desires to avoid further shedding of blood to remain where he is.' This is the reply that the Spanish commander, Colonel Nuevillas, sent to General Wilson's demand for the sur render of Atbonito made last night. A fight is certain to occur unless orders are issued from Washington to prevent it.
 Headouarters of General Wilson at Coamo. Aug. 13, Noon. Delayed in transmission). The orders to advance given to General Ernst's brigade were countermanded upon receipt of the presidents orders to suspend hostilities Gen. Wilson this morning sent a party with a flag of truce to notify the Span iards fthe suspension of hostilities, but the flag was not respected. This was by order of Governor General Macias. As General Macias has no communication with Madrid he may cut himself off from official notification of the situa- tion, although natives have been sent through the Spanish lines to spread the