The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-02
SPANIARDS FLED
FROM THE FORTS

The Spanish ArtiIIerymen and Infantry Could
be Plainly Seen Flying to Safety Behind The
Neighboring HiIIs.-The Number of Killed and
Wounded on the Spanish Side is Enormous,
no One Doubts, for Time and Again the
American Shells Hit the Batteries SquaeIy
and Amid the Flying Masonry and Disman
lied Guns, The Forms Of Men were Deserted
mo Americans Killed.
Copyright 1898 by Associated Prcss)
Cape Haytien. Iayti. June 1.-The
Daily Bulletin, issued by the French
cable company here to-day, apparently
confirms the news Of Spanish origin as
to the effect of the battle fought
at Santiago de Cuba. The Bulletin is
as follows:
Santiago de Cuba, May 31.-To-day at
o'clock the American fleet, composed
of four ships, one of which appeared
to be the New York and flew the flag
Of Admiral Sampson and a few torpedo
boats, opened fire on the forts, and on
the roadstead with heavy guns. The
fire of the Americans appeared to be
directed principally on the roadstead and
on the forts of Ell Moro, Zocapa and
Punta Gorda. The cannonade was very
brisk up To 3:45. The shells fell in the
bay but did not reach as far as the
town.
After $40 the cannonade weakened
and cannon shots were heard in the of
fng. The Americans completely ceased
firing after o'clock in the afternoon J"
At 2 o'clock to-day the American
steamer Fanita arrived at Cape Hay
tien from New York and Port de PaiX.
She reports that she did not see any
warships.
New York. June An Evening
Journal special from Cape Haytien says:
The torpedo boat Porter arrived at
Mole, ST. Nicholas, at o'clock this
morning with dispatches from Washing
ton She left Immediately. But before
going to sea the following story of the
bombardment of Santiago de Cuba, the
refuge of Ceryera and the Spanish feet,
was observed by your correspondent at
the Mole:
The American squadron, augmented
by the torpedo boat Porter, the auxiliary
cruiser St Paul, and the protected
cruiser New Orleans. formerly the
Amazonas, approached the entrance 10
the barbor of Santiago ut about 1886
p. H., the Iowa leading.
Inside the entrance to the harbor was
seen one of the warships OF Ceryera
fleet. stripped for action.
AS the American feet drew near the
New Orleans was detached and steamed
forward ahead of the Iowa. Texas and
Massachusetts. One of the forts opened
fire on her and she replied, the other
two ships directing their fire at tht
battery OH the Punta Gorda within the
harbor and to westward Of the position
occupied by the Spanish ship. The lat
ter replied to the fire and Immediately
became \ target for all the American
ships engaged in the battle She retired
behind n protecting headland and was
not seen again during the engagement.
The Iowa. directed by Captain Eight
ing Bob" Evans; the Massachusetts by
Captain Il. j. HigginsoR: the Texas by
Captain J. w. Phillip. and the New Or
leans by Captain w. NJ. Folger, kept
mp their terrific fire against the Moro
Zocapa and Punta Gorda forts for two
hours, their projectiles, of enormous
size. doing tremendous damage to the
defences of the harbor
The masonery of Zocapa and Morrt
was battered almost into dust. and Tho
forms of Spanish artillerymen and in
fantry could be plainly seen flying be
hind the neighbOring hills.
That the number of killed and wound
ed on the Spanish side is enormous NJ
one doubts, for time and again tn
American shells hit the batteries square
ly. and amid the flying masonery am
dismantled guns the forms Of men wer
discerned.
The damage done to the American
fleet cannot be learned, but it is no