The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-14

should capture them before they could
get away. + -+A. -
Lieutenant Colonel Robert ". ffuntins-
ton, OF the Marine Corps, sent First
Lieutenant Wendell C.. Neville ahead
with ten men to act as a skirmishing
party. First Lieutenant James Il. Ma
honey, with another detachment, was
sent out to tho right and another detai
to the left.
The latter party worked to the head
OF he lagoon without uncovering any
body. Lieutenant Neville's little party
pushed straight into the bush. regard
less of the enemy. They started some o.
he Spaniards and fred on them. Tho
enemy returned tho fire. but their marks
manship was characteristic. and none OF
the Americans was hit. They dld not
wait TO fire again. but took TO their heels
and made good their escape in the bush.
IL is no known whether any Of the.
Spaniards were hit, but II Is Thought
that some OF them were. A search OF
the bush will be made ~ter 10 ascertain
II any OF them were killed.
Lieutenant Mahoney beat up the bush
all the way TO the lagoon and went on
till he met Lieutenant Neville's party
without getting sight OF the Spaniards.
The search for the enemy lasted Tor
half an hour. after which the battalion
was reformed on the crest OF tho hill'
where hey remained on guard for
while.
There were no more shots. except from
time 10 time as movements were seen
In the grass. The men were hercely IN
earnest, and I'll would have Jared the
Spanaird who got In their way.
They had q slight fOretaste OF what
fighting I'm the Cuban jungle means.
VIII en- the skirmishers returned from the
woods they were simply black with the
mosquitoes that covered them. and their
legs. arms and bodies were jabbed with
burrs and cactus needles.
The Spaniards had evidently been keep
ing close watch since the marines land
ed. They thought that the time was
favorab bic for an attack. but they found
that tho Yankees were not to be caught
mapping Not a Spanard had been seen
or heard on the peninsula since the yam
kee and Marblehead shelled the place on
last Tuesday until last night when the
outposts reported that cracking mad
been heard IN the bushes. This noise
was supposed 70 have been made by the
enemy's forces or by scouts --yho were
trying 10 learn the exact disposition OF
the Americans. When this report was
made Company c was ordered out and
marched about the mountain seeking 10
locate the enemy but beyond hearing
movements In the bushes they discovered
nothing.
Word OF the presence Of the Spaniards
was sent to Captain McCalla Of the Mar
blehead. and a few hours later, after the
camp was asleep. the warship moved
within range and turned her searchlight
on the hills II the Spaniards we're there
! they kept themselves well hid, for no
] cfo~,, Of than could he discovered.
Early this morning some OF the officers
| thought they saw the enemy about 100
yards of in sheltered places above the Ia
| COON. They obtained permission 10 fire.
| but as there was no sign OF the shots
| taking effect they began to doubt II the
enemy was really there.
The harbor here was full OF warships
for two days. The oregon left yesterday,
and the Yosemite, Dolphin, Texas ana
Vixen took their departure to-day and
were soon beyond signalling distance.
leaving the Marblehead and the Porter
the only two fighting ships left.
The lower harbor has been taken for a
coaling station. A careful search was
made for mines but none was found.
Last night the channel leading 10 the
town of Caimanera was explored and 1t
was found 10 be mined.
|
| larger force OF troops IS available, though
the Spanish fortihcations are not formid-
able nor the garrison large
Unless another attack is made on the
! camp the marines are not likely 20 hunt
| the Spaniards again until the arrival or
| sixty insurgents, who are expected here
| to-morrow. These Cubans will be used
as scouts and pilots, they having accu-
| rate knowledge OF the country mere
abouts and OF the waters OF the bay.
Earthworks are 10 be thrown across the
peninsula south Of the camp immediteT.
As the Spaniards left two field piecei
here when they were cleared OUT VI
tuesday By the fire from the warsiilpS
Il IS thought that they have only rine'
with them In the woods. They oe
,a,te5 I'm such a hurry that they lef
behind them a telescope, a signaling out
IN "A battalion flag, and even importan
dispatches and love letters. The rag !
now on board the Marblehead. Mem
gan naval reserves on the foseiIll
seized one OF the cannon as spou OF "ur
THE marines are not satisfied with III
pole on which the Stars and stripes al
floating. Tsey are looking Tor the hlsu
90, tree IN The neighborhood. and whel
a. ts found IL viii be cut down and trans
, formed into a pole that VIII De "ls
I enough TO allow the flag 70 be seen 10
a much greater distance. The pole WI
then be erected on a point across III
bav where the Spaniards I'm Caimaner
will be able 70 see the Stars and stripe
every day. -.
A number OF shells that were abandon
ed by the Spaniards have oeen explodln
as the heat reached them from IN
smoldering ruins OF the blockhouse. Non
OF the men were hurt by the explosions
Three-inch shells. shrapnel, case sno
and old-fashioned studded proiectlle
were found in the blockhouses before
was set on fire.
The Americans have turned the recent
| " constructed cable station at t1shei
mans Point into an armory.
All the men are in Jovial spirits. me
have dubbed the last steep turn In IN
serpentine path up the hill 10 the cam
"Chilkoot pass" 1t is up this hill tina
the men have been laboriously luSgln
lumber In the blazing sun. which &c
counts for their facetiOusness In besto"
ing the name.