The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-06

the l3arbor OF oanttago oe Ouoa' ouo
day, July 8, 4 p. "a, by the Asso-
cia,ed Press Dispatch Boat Wanda to
Port Antonio, Jai Monday Morning.
Julv 4. via Kingston, July 4, 4:45
a. -Admirsl Cervera's aeet, cor-
sissins of the armored cruisers Girls.
t,ba Colon, Almiraote 0queudo, To-
faota Maria Terses and Viscaya. and
two torpedo boat dessroyers, the Faror
aud the P!uton. which had been held
in the harbor of Santisgo de Cuba for
six weeks past by the combined squad
of Rear Admiral Saupson and Comuo-
dore Schley. lies today at the bottom Of
the Caribbean sea. of the southern
coast of Cuba.
The Spanish admiral is prisoner OF
var on the auxiliary gunboas Gleu
.sster formerly j. Pierpoins Morgan's
yacht Corsair) and 1000 to 1900
Spanish officers and sailors, all who
escaped the frightfol carnage caused
By shells from the American warsbips
are also held as prisoners of war by the
United States navy.
The Spsniards, when they found they
would be permitted to live. adapted
themselves comfortably to the situation,
rolled their cigarettes aud began play
iug cards among themselves.
The American victory is complete
end according to the best information
obtain able at this time the American
vessels acre practically untouched aod
oclv one man vas killed, though the
ships we're subjected TO the heavy fire.
of The Spanierds all the time the battle
lasted.
Admiral Cervera made as gallant
dash for liberty aud for the preserva
ton Of his ships this morning as has
ever occurred 10 the history of uaval
warfare. Iu the face of overwhelming
odda. with nothing before him tus
inc vitsble destruction or surrender, If
be remaised auv longer in the trap ln
which the American feet beld hin.
be made a bold dash from the baroor
at the time the Americans least ex
pected hin to do so. and fighting every
icch Of bis way, even when bis ship
was ablaze aud sinking, be tried to
escape the doom which was writtea on
the muzzle of every American gun
trained upon his vessels
The Americans saw him the mcmeai
be left the baroor and com meuced their
work of destruction Immediately For
au hour or two they followed the flying
Spaniards to the westward along the
shore line, seodi5g shot after shot into
their blaziog bulls. tearing great holes
10 their steel sides ard covering their
decks With the blood of the killed and
wounded.
AT 90 time did the spauiards show
any indications that they intended to do
otherwise tbac Gghs to the last They
showed DO signals to surrender even
ubeo sbeir ships commenced to Siok
and the graas clouds of smoke pouring
from their aidee showed they were OF 6rF.
But they turned their vessels tooarc
he shore, less than g mile away, aod
ran them on the beach and rocss, whsrc
their destruction was sooa completed
The fisers acd men 90 board thee
escaped to tbe shore as we'll as they
could, With the assistance Of boats scot
from the American mea of var and tere"
themselves upon the mercy of their cap
tors. who aos only extended to them
the gracious hand of American
Chivalry. but send them guard to
protect them from the mnrdcrous
bands of Cuban soldiers hiding in the
bush on the hillside. eager to rush
down and attack the unarmed, defeat
ed, but valorous foe Ooe after an
other the Spanish ships became the
victims of tee awful rain of shells
which the American battleships.
cruisers and gunboats poured upon
them and two hours after the first of
.x..x.l .,,k