The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-28

signalled for achievements which were
sent from the Gloucester.
The Associated Press dispatch boat
Cynth1a, was the only boat in the har-
Dor except the Gloucester.
While the Mausers were peppering all
aroNnd, Lieutenant Commander Vain
wright called to the Associated Press
correspondent and said:
They fired on US after their flag was
down and ours was up and after had
spared the town for the sake of the Wo-
men and children. The next town
strike, I will blow up
Presently a few of the Spanish cav
airy Joined those who were fighting in
the street of Guanica, but the Colt
barked to a purpose, killing four Of
them.
range of the town and Of the block
house and all her guns were splitting
fire, the doctor and paymaster helping
to serve the guns.
Soon afterwards White-coated gallop-
ing cavalry men were seen climbing the
hills to the westward and the foot SOL
diers were scurrying along the fences
from the town.
guerrilla shots the town was won and
the enemy was driven out OF its neigh
borhood-
The Red Cross nurses on the Lam
pasas and detachment Of regulars
were the first to land from the trans
ports.
After Lieutenant Huse had captured
the place he deployed his small force
into the suburbs. But he was soon re-
inforced by the regulars, who were fol-
lowed by Company G of the Sixth Hi
nois, and then by other troops in quick
succession. All the boats of the men
of war and transports were used in the
work of landing the troops, each steam
launch towing four or five boats loaded
to the sails with soldiers. But every
thing progressed in an orderly manner
and according to the plans Of General
Miles. The latter went ashore at about
noon, after stopping to board the Chou
cester and thank Lieutenant COmman-
der Wainwright for his gallant action
General Miles said to the correspond
ent of the Associated Press; "Guanica
and Cinga are in the disaffected pOr-
gent leader, lives at YaucO, a few miles
inland. Had we landed at Cape San
Juan a line of rife pits might have
stopped our advancing"
There is no doubt that General Miles
plans are being kept absolutely secret.
The spirit of the troops, men and Of
ficers is admirable.
The Massachusetts and Illinois con-
tingents, which have been cooped on
board the Yale and Rita for a. fort
night, will be delighted to get ashore
and will be well protected by the ar
tiIlery before a serious advance is be-
Guanica is the most lovely spot yet
occupied by our forces. 1t is the seat
of the coffee and sugar industries and
large herds of cattle are paStpr1nS IN
the meadows, which are bOrdered by
cocoanut palms. Many head of cattle
and a large number of horses have
been driven into the mountains by their
owners. Some of them will be cap
tured.
Ponce For a Base.
Ponce is the second city of the island.
which has a splendid harbor and will
make a good base of operations.
There were fifteen large coasters this
afternoon at Guanica bay, but only two
bargeS were captured.
1t is likely that the Spanish garrison
from Ponce may try to surprise our
people tonight, but it will only be an
affair of OutpOsts.
The town of Ponce is sure to fall
shortly before the combined attack of
our army and navy. The main fight
ing, until San Juan de Porto Rico is
reached, will be along the line of
splendid military road, leading from
Ponce to San Juan. But every pre-
caution will be taken to lessen our cas-
ualties, even to the use of the street
shields, of which a supply was brought
with the expedition.
The health of the troops is excellent
except among the Massachusetts men,
They have been packed on the Y ale for
about fifteen days, and thirty cases of
typhoid fever have developed among
the soldiers. Parker of the Sixth
Massachusetts died on Friday and was
buried at sea.
Later in the day the Dixie spoke the
boat of the Associated Press. |
1t was then about 9 o'clock at night, |
and the commander of the Dixie said |
he had been almost around the island |
of Porto Rico and had not seen any |
men of war or transports, except the |
New Orleans, which was blockading |
the port of San Juan de Porto Rico.
A heavy gale was blowing, causing
the dispatch boat to take nineteen |
hours in making the 1875 miles to st. |
Thomas. The Associated Press is the |
only dispatch boat with the fleet.