Evening journal., 1898-07-02
REACHING THE COAL
Capture Of Santiago Will End
First Stage Of the War.
HISTORY OF A MONTHS CAMPAIGN.
Army and Navy Working Together For
Ono End Since the Cape Verde
Fleet Took Refuge In
the Cuban Port.

ton or the aggressive policy which the
administration adopted the moment the
Spanish fleet was definitely located by
the scoutships Of Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron.
The arrival Of Cerveras squadron at
Santiago on May 20 was the signal for
the drawing In OF the net about Cuba
and the concentration of offensive
measures against Santiago. The army
had been unable to take transports for
Cuba. while the Elusive Spanish fleet
was still at sea, and until this will o
the wisp had been definitely located the
plans OF the war board were in abey-
ance.
A great deal OF difficulty was expe-
rienced In locating the Spanish fleet,
and even after 1t had been reported sew
eral times in Santiago harbor the Off
cials would not believe that the willy
Spaniard had been caught until the
bravery of American officers In spying
in the vicinity Of the land locked har-
Dor elected the certain knowledge OF
Cervera's presence there.
Once assured Of this fact army and
navy. working in hearty accord, pre-
pared for the destruction or capture Of
the city and the fleet.
The formation of the harbor made It
impossible to see very far inside, and
because OF the uncertainty of this blind
fold game OF war a sharp watch had to
be kept at the harbors mouth to pre-
vent the Spanish admirars escape.
So Schley's squadron was dispatched
on May 27 TO be off the mouth Of the
harbor. Every measure was taken to
cut Cervera off from supplies, the sea
end OF the affair being looked after by
the American commodore, the land end
by the Cubans, who were prepared for
just this plan by the visit of Lieutenant
Rowan to General Garcia.
AS the fact came home to the Wash
ington officials that Cervera really was
within the harbor, they began to con-
centrate their efforts on this particular
Cuban port.
Everything was ready for actual
fighting The st. Paul made a dash a
short distance into the harbor on May
30. and her commander. Captain Sgs-
bee. easily made out spain's fast. heavi-
ly armored cruisers and torpedo boats
anchored in the harbor
Plans were then made for General
Shafter TO land $4,000 men near Santa
go for the purpose of taking the doomed
city. already a heavy sufferer from star
walton.
A great deal Of hard work was put in
at Tampa, Fla, preparing the army for
the invasion.
At last Cervera was bottled up"
and Schley was holding it while await
ing the American troops. On May 81
Sampson Joined Schley with the Ore
gon. New York, New Orleans and sew
eral minor vessels, and on the following
day a bombardment OF the forts was
begun.
In the evening Of that same day two
Spanish torpedo boats attempted to de-
stroy the Texas, but were driven Off.
Communication was opened with the
insurgents. and they gave what aid
they could TO the fleet.
Later reports Of the Santiago fight
showed that the Cristobal Colon had
come out far enough 10 engage the
United States fleet, but found IL very
warm work. The effect Of the lombard
ment was highly satisfactory.
The Cuban insurgents then began
their harassing attacks against the
city and have kept them up ever since.
At last, on June 3, the American
troops under General Shafter embarked
for Santiago. In order TO permit of a
smaller patrol being kept at Santiago,
so that warships might be used to con-
voy Transports Naval Constructor Rich
mond Pearson Hobson and seven men
sunk the collier Merrimac across the
mouth Of the harbor. thus effectually
closing IL.
On June 9 fire was reopened by Samp-
sons fleet on the forts at the entrance
to the harbor, and great destruction
was done. More bombardments follow
ed, but little could be done against Nor
TO Castle because Hobson and his men
had been confined in it. Later, how
ever. they were removed to the city
itself. and the destruction OF the forts
was continued on June another big
bombardment followed and the Cubans
made land attack.
Soon the outer forts were silenced,
but the bombardment had TO be renew
ed again and again, as the Spaniards
continued TO make repairs and defensive
preparations.
Next attention was turned 20 Baiquiri
a port near Santiago, which was bom-
barded The Panther landed a battalion
of marines at that point, and they held
their position against a vigorous bush
whacking warfare on the part of the
Spanish troops, of whom great numbers
were In the immediate vicinity.
Again was Santiago bomharded on
June 10. and the Vesuvius threw n few
/ dynamite shells into the fortifcations.
/ June Is another bombardment was
carried on. and the New Orleans de-
stroyed some of the new defenses.
General Garcia. the Cuban leader
with 10000 men. prepared for co-opera-
tion with the American forces. and on
June II Sampson again bombarded the
fortifications. on the 18th the Texas
shelled Morro Castle and the socapa
batteries with good results. and the
New Orleans also did some good work.
The Vesuvlus got in some more good
work. and on the goth the transports
bearing the American troops arrived on
Santiago. Later reports OF Garcia'i
army shrank II to 1000 men, but ar.
rangements were made for its co-opera.
tion.
A conference was held between Admf
raj Sampson and General Shafter on tn,
21st. and arrangements were made To-
landing the troops.
At last. on June %. the troops unde
Shafter were landed at Baiquiri, nea,
Santiago. and met with no resistance.
, The advance Of the army engaged tn
Spaniards on the 2Sd and fought nearl,
4 all night. while shafter continued 4
land his men.
Skirmishing next occurred on June Pa
and shafter drove the Spaniards stead
flv haptr On fhfa aor,,a dor, ooo -.